I started this book two and a half years ago and have now finished it so while it’s my favorite ever work of literary art—and Chekhov is in my top five—the following ranking is meant to be conjectural:  1. My Life 2. Steppe 3. The Duel 4. An Official Duty 5. The House with the Mezzanine 6. The Bride 7. Ariadna 8. Ionych 9. A Visit to Friends 10. In the Ravine 11. Peasants 12. The Lady with the Dog 13. The Black Monk 14. Ward No.6 15. The Little Trilogy 16. The Bishop 17. The Student 18. A Dreary Story The crazy thing is that even the bottom of the list is fantastic. His emotional power, capable of the most searing personal feeling from a simple turn of phrase, seems to essentially be his born personality. His talent is indescribable. One page of his unique sensibility is worth millions. His ability for insight, subtlety, character, empathy, and storytelling has few comparisons. I can only think of four. Austen, Munro, Hardy, and Lawrence. So top five.