V. Heydeko's book (1940-1979) reveals the ideological and artistic originality of Chekhov and Bunin - writers whose life and work were in close contact. How did the socio-literary atmosphere of the era affect their positions, aesthetic searches? What are the similarities and differences between them in the depiction of social and moral problems? What are the features of style, composition, character motivation? The book is devoted to the search for answers to these questions.