The Death of a Government Clerk

The Death of a Government Clerk is a short story by Anton Chekhov, first published in 1883. It is an early Russian work, originally printed in a magazine and signed A. Chekhonte. The story focuses on an ordinary incident and the growing discomfort around it, rather than on a broad plot or a large cast.

It suits readers who want a direct introduction to Chekhov through a brief, tightly written piece. If you like Russian short fiction that pays attention to social manners, small humiliations, and the pressure of everyday life, this is a good place to start. Its closest connection is to concise literary stories built around observation and mood rather than action.