A Story which will Never be Finished
The story revolves around a man who has lost his faith and sense of purpose after the death of his wife. He becomes obsessed with the idea that he will never be able to finish writing a novel that he had been working on, which serves as a metaphor for the futility of human existence. As the story progresses, the man's mental state deteriorates, and he becomes increasingly isolated from society. His obsession with the unfinished novel takes over his life, and he begins to see himself as a failure. The narrative is presented in a non-linear fashion, jumping back and forth between different time periods and perspectives. This serves to highlight the fragmented nature of the man's mind and the way that his thoughts are consumed by his own self-doubt. Ultimately, the story suggests that the search for meaning and purpose is ultimately futile, and that human existence is marked by impermanence and uncertainty.
By Leonid Andreyev · First published 1900 · Genre: Psychological Fiction, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction · 2,411 words
First lines
Exhausted with the painful uncertainty of the day, I fell asleep, dressed, on my bed. Suddenly my wife aroused me. In her hand a candle was flickering, which appeared to me in the middle of the night as bright as the sun. And behind the candle her chin, too, was trembling, and enormous, unfamiliar dark eyes stared motionlessly.
"Do you know," she said, "do you know they are building barricades on our street?"
What this Textopian page supports
A Story which will Never be Finished is listed on Textopian as a short story by Leonid Andreyev, dated 1900 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Leonid Andreyev
- Date: 1900 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Psychological Fiction, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Drama, Surrealism
- Length: 2,411 words
- Structure: 1 section, 71 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Story which will Never be Finished by Leonid Andreyev
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Story which will Never be Finished?
- How does this short story by Leonid Andreyev fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Psychological Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Adventures Of A Cobblestone by Fyodor Sologub
- The Search by Fyodor Sologub
- An Original by Leonid Andreyev
- Ulrike by Jorge Luis Borges
- Light And Shadows by Fyodor Sologub
- Yama by Aleksandr Kuprin
Genres
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves deeply into the characters' inner thoughts and emotions, exploring themes of identity, fear, and existential reflection.
- Literary Fiction — The work emphasizes character development and thematic depth, focusing on the human experience and philosophical questions.
- Historical Fiction — The backdrop of societal upheaval and the building of barricades situates the story within a specific historical context.
- Drama — The intense emotional exchanges and conflicts between characters create a dramatic tension that drives the narrative.
Tags
Philosophical Fiction · Existentialism · Absurdism · Russian Literature · 20th Century Literature · Psychological Insight · Stream-of-Consciousness · Inner Turmoil · Mental Health · Alienation · Loneliness · Isolation