Inspired by Dostoevsky's own gambling addiction and written under pressure in order to pay off his creditors and retain his rights to his literary legacy, The Gambler is set in the casino of the fictional German spa town of Roulettenburg and follows the misfortunes of the young tutor Alexei Ivanovich. As he succumbs to the temptations of the roulette table, he finds himself engaged in a battle of wills with Polina, the woman he unrequitedly loves. With an unforgettable cast of fellow gamblers and figures from European high society, this darkly comic novel of greed and self-destruction reveals Dostoevsky at his satirical and psychological best.

About the Author
Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881) is considered one of the greatest writers of all time. His works include such seminal novels as Crime and Punishment, The Idiot and The Brothers Karamazov.

Reviews
No novelist ever wrestled with materialism more fiercely and intelligently than Dostoevsky. -- Jonathan Franzen



Book Information
ISBN 9781847493828
Author Fyodor Dostoevsky
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Alma Classics
Publisher Alma Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 204g