Five stories by Anton Chekhov , read by Ewan McGregor. Chekhov wrote over 400 short stories. Although many of them display the same bleak view of the world as do his plays, others are infused with wit. They all offer sublime insights not only into life in Russia at the end of the 19th century, but also into the human condition. 1: His Wife. A wicked picture of a relationship of convenience. Director Gavin Miiiar McGregor on Chekhov: page 125