Fyodor Dostoyevsky: The Complete Novels (Centaur Classics)

I'm not sure if all these books are public domain now or not, but with the cost being this low it's worth it just for compiling it in an organized way. As for the contents, Dostoyevsky is one of the greatest authors in history. Any book in this set has at least as much wisdom in it as anything published in 2018.

Garnett translations are serviceable but very workmanlike and dated. I think I'll stick with my native Dutch translations which are way better. English and Dostoyevsky just doesn't work, he's very hard to translate in English.

The author's works were recommended by clinical psychologist Jordan B. Peterson so I thought they'd be interesting and worthwhile. This particular volume, a collection of Dostoyevsky's works, was machine scanned so while there are numerous typographical errors they don't take away from the stories much.

Awesome book. The best writer of morality outside the Bible. This and Crime and Punishment are must reads for the serious thinker of great things.

Its Dostoyevsky! An interesting story of a man caught between his love for a woman, trying to help her financially, and losing her and all he has. Interesting that it is told in the first person. A good way to examine the main character's emotions and motivations.

Dostoyevsky can get very deep, but here's a treasure chest of his massive writings for a minor price.

Dostoyevsky was one of the greats. My five stars are for his work. I read him in high school and later. His works like Brothers Karamzov, The Idiot and Crime and Punishment are amazing insight into the human mind and condition. The production of the Kindle book seems find. Typesetting is adequate. This review questionaire is mostly irrelevant. This book is a complete works kind of thing.

If you are a Dostoyevshy fan you cannot go wrong with this collection.

A very interesting treatise that gets into the mind of a gambler. I found it fascinating, but difficult to read due to the tiny font.

Gave it a try and just found myself struggling to continue. Early on the story teller seems to repeat himself a lot.

I'm not sure if all these books are public domain now or not, but with the cost being this low it's worth it just for compiling it in an organized way. As for the contents, Dostoyevsky is one of the greatest authors in history. Any book in this set has at least as much wisdom in it as anything published in 2018.

Garnett translations are serviceable but very workmanlike and dated. I think I'll stick with my native Dutch translations which are way better. English and Dostoyevsky just doesn't work, he's very hard to translate in English.

The author's works were recommended by clinical psychologist Jordan B. Peterson so I thought they'd be interesting and worthwhile. This particular volume, a collection of Dostoyevsky's works, was machine scanned so while there are numerous typographical errors they don't take away from the stories much.

Awesome book. The best writer of morality outside the Bible. This and Crime and Punishment are must reads for the serious thinker of great things.

Its Dostoyevsky! An interesting story of a man caught between his love for a woman, trying to help her financially, and losing her and all he has. Interesting that it is told in the first person. A good way to examine the main character's emotions and motivations.

Dostoyevsky can get very deep, but here's a treasure chest of his massive writings for a minor price.

Dostoyevsky was one of the greats. My five stars are for his work. I read him in high school and later. His works like Brothers Karamzov, The Idiot and Crime and Punishment are amazing insight into the human mind and condition. The production of the Kindle book seems find. Typesetting is adequate. This review questionaire is mostly irrelevant. This book is a complete works kind of thing.

If you are a Dostoyevshy fan you cannot go wrong with this collection.

A very interesting treatise that gets into the mind of a gambler. I found it fascinating, but difficult to read due to the tiny font.

Gave it a try and just found myself struggling to continue. Early on the story teller seems to repeat himself a lot.

I am only on the first story and I am hooked. Such amazing character studies. Looking forward to a lot of good reads.

I am a big fan of Dostoevsky, but I have to say this is an odd book. From what I know, he wrote this in a hurry to pay off a gambling debt (oh the irony). This knowledge makes sense when you read it--because it doesn't have really a strong plot or structure. It is an interesting read, and far be it for me to e ver not recommend a Dostoevsky work--hes still a fabulous writer and even his worst is better than most people's bests. The worst I can do is give it 4 stars and not 5

It works perfectly, always on the exact spot I left, easy to change size of letter (no need for reading glasses), simple but efficient dictionary and, of course, the master Dostoyevsky with his, very sad sometimes, amazing work.

A couple of dollars for all the works of one of the greatest authors of all time. Incredible deal. Reading Dostoyevsky is life changing. His writing sticks and you will find yourself ruminating over some passage months after you have read it.

I enjoyed this book. Well written, excellent plot, wonderfully full characters, that have great personality and are totally believable. I have purchased the next book, can't wait to dive in.

What a great collection with great detail by such an amazing author! Goal is to read them all front to back

I loved this book. I'm not sure that any book entitled "Gambling Psychology" would include a better profile of the psychopathology that is gambling addiction. The main character's massochism is also a wonderful case study of how such personalities operate and function. The plot is excellent and "granny" is so perfectly described that it's as if the author included a photograph of her. Much of the Russian psyche is on display and the reader will get a glimpse into people and lifestyles that are quite in keeping with what one might find today in our own Roulettenberg, Las Vegas. This was a concise but pleasant ride through human nature.

Genius masterpiece of an author who expresses himself with such simplicity and sophistication. My favorite author of all time because he simplifies the complicated and has such an almost poetic knowledge and dominance of the written word.

You can really put yourself in a lot of the story, and unless I missed it... you never really definitively know if mitya or Ivan or smurduekov killed the father.. which pisses me off, but still a good ass book. There are chapters that were so good though. Very captivating read, crime and punishment is twice, or three times better if you ask me.

Although I love Dostoevksy's longer works, for some reason I have some trouble getting into his shorter works. I actually really enjoyed the last half of this book, but I found the beginning to be slow. If would probably be more entertaining for people that are interested in gambling. Overall I would probably recommend it because it is a quick read and even though I didn't love the story, Dostoevsky is a fantastic writer.

One of the greatest authors. Tough to read as far as translation. Very good.

It is a fantastic book. It is written humorously which makes it enjoyable to read at the same time the analysis of the characters and emotions are spectacular. I definitely recommend this book to anybody to read. I loved it. The literature is beautiful, the language is flawless and it is meaningfully.

With this author you'll always learn wisdom.

geez, I have a good life compared to the suffering and misery in these novels.

Very interesting reading as I am trying to read through the classics.

A classic in low price Wisdom is still available

Dostoevsky on the Kindle looks a little strange, but it only makes it more interesting to re-read it.

Everything arrived on time and as advertised

Reading "the Gambler" after "Crime and Punishment" was a drastic change in environment. From the penurous Raskolnikov and his destitute fellow characters, we swung 180 degrees to the aristocratic Europeans and lackeys who would bet away their last franc on the roulette Russian style. Dostoyevsky was brilliant in describing the gamblers. Most memorable was the rise and huge fall of wealthy "Grandmother". She, a rookie who had never set foot in a casino, would win big initially with 17k ruble . Instead of quitting, she was addicted. She didn't quit until the end of the day when she lost all she had. 90k ruble. A huge amount, probable 10 times or more at today's inflated rates. Dostoyevsky, being a compulsive gambler during a period of his life, cannot be more ideal as author for this story.

What else can you say but I got all of the great Russian genius’s novels for some pocket change. I will have reading material for a while.

Didn't read every book in collection, but most and enjoyed my selection

Classics

The quality of the paper and ink is not wonderful, but it definitely worth more than the price you pay. Just for the reference, the translation is seemed fine to me, although I'm not an avid reader.

It is exciting each one of the books of this author, for the context of time and place in which they develop

Love Fyodor

Excellent

Outstanding writing...A Masterpiece.

The price is right. There are some annoying typographical errors in the Kindle addition.

While not his best novel, it is still a beautifully written story. Dostoyevsky's writing style and prose are second to none, and I attribute some this to the superb translation of his books. This one is no exception. He always plays to the apparent Russian inferiority complex vis a vis other Europeans of his era. I do not wish to give away any of the plot elements, as it may spoil the experince for the teader. This novel is a relatively quick read, and it has an abrupt, unanticipated ending.

Making my way through Crime and Punishment, really like having all his novels available, even if I don't read all.

A good collection of Dostoyevsky's novels.

Amazing Value!

we are more worried about what we can lose than what we feel

Good condition when I got it.

Insightful.

Not your typical Dostoyevsky novel.

Good Read

Excellent story!!

did not dislike anything. Reading

I am doing an independent study on Russian Lit, Dostoyevsky in particular, and this short read in between Crime and Punishment and The Idiot was a nice reprieve.

What can I say if your into this type of genre, this is a good collection that won't disappoint.

It had been a while since I read Dostoevsky. This is a farce and hard to stick with. I wanted to read it because I was just at the casino the story was based on. Made it fun, but you have to be ready for farce.

I bought from Brazil and it got 3 days to arrive - AWESOME!!!! Thanks buddy!

This guy may be the best writer ever!

Dostoevsky had his own personal gambling problem which helps him describe the turbulent life of a gambler.

What the heck??? I couldn't even get past the first page.... Yes, you could figure out the conjunctions. But why would you bother?

The description claimed it would be the Constance Garnett translation but it was not. It is actually a CJ Hogarth translation that I did not want. A great novel should not be read in an inferior translation.

Beautifully written descriptions so well done refreshing from current authors

Thanks

There is nothing else like this. Give it a try.

I appreciated the speed of delivery and the novel itself. Although it's not "contemporary" literature, I think it very appropriate for today's reader, since gambling is so prevalent in our country.

I like this author

a great book by a wonderful writer he really is one of the greatest authors in my opinion

Good character descriptions & events that portray their reactions to various Situations. Easy reading.

Unbelievable.

Dostoyevsky < 1$ Don't think add to basket!!

Read all these when i was a teen. Time to refresh

How do you go wrong with Dostoyevsky at this price????

This is a classic collection.

Loved the story. Read it, you'll relate.

Read it, and get some culture.

please be aware that though the collection claims to include Crime and Punishment, it does NOT.

Too confusing to read @ night! I guess you have to be Russian to understand this!

A recent reading of _Demons_ (please see my review), led me to renew my acquaintance with Dostoevsky, an author I love but whose works have had a varied effect on me. In previous reviews I mentioned my fascination with _Crime and Punishment_ and _The Brothers Karamazov_, and my perplexity with _The Idiot_ and _The Double_. After reading _Demons_, I decided to focus on Dostoevsky's shorter texts--his short stories and his novellas--before experiencing the few novels of his I haven't yet read. So far, my favorite novellas have been _The Eternal Husband_ and _Notes from Underground_. I now add _The Gambler_ to this list. Before I say what _The Gambler_ (1867) is, let me say what it is not. This novella is not _Notes from Underground_ with a focus on gambling. _The Gambler_ is usually marketed as a psychological study on gambling addiction. Now, almost every work that Dostoevsky wrote is loaded with wonderful psychological insight, but the first thing that struck me about _The Gambler_ was the disparity between many of the descriptions of this story and the text itself. This is a marvelous narrative about a man who gambles, and as such it includes several comments on gambling as a problem, but if you are expecting non-stop descriptions of gambling followed by emotional despair, the text will surprise you. In my case, this was a pleasant surprise. _The Gambler_ is about gambling as Martin Scorsese's _Raging Bull_ (1980) is about boxing. Sure, that's the main topic, but there's so much more to the text than that. In the Pevear & Volokhonsky translation, _The Gambler_ is offered together with _The Double_. This furthers the perception of the former as a study of obsession. As I suggested elsewhere, it would make more sense to couple _The Double_ with _The Eternal Husband_, another story of alter egos. At the same time, it does make sense to read _The Double_ and _The Gambler_ back to back, if not within the frame of obsession, in the light of the psychological phenomenon we refer to as masochism. Like many characters in Dostoevsky, the gambler is a man eager to surrender his freedom to someone else, thus avoiding responsibility. The "hero" of _The Gambler_ is one Alexei Ivanovich, a 25-year-old tutor with a university degree, who works at a general's house. He is deeply in love with Polina Alexandrovna, the General's stepdaughter, and is willing to do anything for her. At the center of the novella is an inheritance that the General is supposed to receive after the death of his mother, referred to in the novel as Grandmother. Other characters in the household, such as the Marquis De Grieux, Maria Filippovna, and Blanche de Cominges (the General's fiancée), care almost exclusively about this inheritance. Characters worthy of our sympathy? I count two: the gambler Alexei, and the pathetic and hilarious Grandmother. Alexei plays roulette for Polina, as she has many debts to pay off. He keeps losing, but he is convinced that he would win if he were playing with his own money. He wants to be a winner so that Polina will see him as more than just a slave. It is because Alexei gambles for Polina that I suggest that our protagonist's core flaw is masochism rather than gambling; the latter is a means to an end, and through it he not only sacrifices himself but he also hopes to overcome his inferiority complex. Ironically, the activity only debases him more. To complicate matters, the rich Grandmother arrives in the middle of the story, and after having the game of roulette explained to her, gives way to an urge to try her luck. The result is one of the most hysterical passages I have encountered in Dostoevsky so far. As I was reading this part of the novella, I wondered whether the title, _The Gambler_, would not turn out to refer to the Grandmother. Alexei’s realization that he is in love with Polina comes right after he gets the impression that she must have slapped De Grieux at one point. "I love you without hope," he tells her; "I shall put off killing myself as long as possible, so as to go on feeling this insufferable pain of being without you. [...] Man is a despot by nature, and loves to be a torturer. You like it awfully." The other side of the coin is, of course, that some men love to be tortured. Polina is one of the unsung femmes fatales in Dostoevsky’s oeuvre. In regard to gambling, Alexei has a moment of insight, and he says, right after he has lost some money: "At that point I ought to have gone away, but a strange sensation rose up in me, a sort of defiance of fate, a desire to challenge it, to put out my tongue at it." Self-destruction as a form of rebellion. As Oedipus found out (the hard way), one cannot cheat destiny, and Alexei’s action, as he also discovers, is tantamount to spitting against the wind. Had these been the main concerns of _The Gambler_, we would be dealing with an entirely different text. Gambling could then be interpreted as a form of existential expression, as defiance even in the face of defeat. But Dostoevsky knew better. He developed a gambling addiction himself, and suffered the consequences. In this novella, he does not exactly explore the plight of the gambler; rather, he goes to the root of the problem, that is, the state of mind that precedes gambling in this particular character’s situation. Alexei is not happy with who he is. He defines his own person in terms of how he is or may be perceived by others, in this case Polina, who is only too willing to pull his strings. Gambling presents itself to Alexei as a shortcut to fame and power, and so he is hooked. _The Gambler_ is one of Dostoevsky’s most satisfying texts. It is more polished than _The Double_, and in terms of narrative structure it flows more smoothly than _Notes from Underground_. It is compelling, just like _The Eternal Husband_, which I consider to be Dostoevsky’s best novella. What kept me away from _The Gambler_ for so many years was the fear that I would not understand the jargon, as I know absolutely nothing about gambling. If you are this situation, have no fear. The novella deals mainly with roulette, which is easy enough to understand. The explanations Alexei offers to Grandmother will furthermore clarify any doubts you may have about the game. The action, incidentally, takes place in the imaginary town of Roulettenburg, which may be a composite of Wiesbaden and Dresden, where Dostoevsky lived for a while. I recommend this novella either in the Garnett or the Pevear & Volokhonsky translation. I cannot read Russian; I just know these two versions read well in English. Next on my list by Dostoevsky: _The Landlady_ or _Uncle’s Dream_, the only two novellas I’m missing. Thanks for reading, and enjoy the book!

Constance Garnett was an early translator of Russian classics to English, and her editions were long standard. They are still widely read - and very readable -, but some now think her Victorian English an impediment and prefer more recent translations. All must decide what fits their needs, but anyone wanting an adequate translation who comes across this should get it. As for the book itself, though largely famous for long novels, Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote a number of notable novellas, of which The Gambler is last. It is not on par with longer works, but their fans will like it, as it has much of their greatness on a small scale. Also, along with Notes from Underground, it is a good place to start for those curious about Dostoevsky but intimidated by his thick masterpieces. Dostoevsky is world renowned for psychological insight, and this is a consummate example. The first-person narrative gives a fascinating peek into a gambling addict's mind; we learn much about what causes such behavior and, more importantly, what perpetuates it, often against better judgment. A large part of Dostoevsky's greatness is that his character studies have great verisimilitude no matter what the subject, but something extra here makes it even more piercing. This is doubtless to a great extent because it has the kind of realism that only experience can bring; Dostoevsky certainly knew a lot about gambling addicts, being one himself. In fact, the book was written at near-superhuman speed to pay off gambling debts - a process so legendary that it was even made into a film. Many gambling addicts have said this is the most realistic and compelling portrayal that exists, and it certainly brings their world vividly to life. However, there is also more to it. Gambling may be the focus, but the insight holds for all addiction forms and, by extension, all types of self-destructive behavior. This last is a particular Dostoevsky specialty, especially in regard to the Russian character, which all of his work in a sense tried to define and analyze. Here he zeroes in on its self-abnegating impulse as symbolized by Alexei's passionate love. Many lovers in literature and reality have claimed they would do anything for their beloved, but few have gone to such literal extremes. This and the gambling show him on the verge not only of self-destruction but of madness, which may make him seem too extreme to be identifiable even as his actions lead to much of Dostoevsky's characteristic black humor. However, the fact that he loses love, wealth, and thus happiness because of an inability to overcome his dark forces makes him a truly tragic figure - widely sympathetic and unfortunately widely relatable. It also unflinchingly shows the futility Dostoevsky saw as central to the Russian character; as an English character unforgettably says to Alexei at the end, "your life is now over. I am not blaming you for this--in my view all Russians resemble you, or are inclined to do so. If it is not roulette, then it is something else. The exceptions are very rare." This shows a very dark view of humanity, particularly Russians - all the more so in that, unlike some of Dostoevsky's more famous works, there is no hint of spiritual redemption at the end. Some may cringe, but the realism and perspicuity ensure we cannot ignore the very important point. The book is also notable for bringing late nineteenth century European resort towns to life. Most Dostoevsky works are of course set in Russia, but he spent much time in Europe - including Germany, where this is set -, and uses his wide knowledge and experience to make the casinos, healing waters, and other aspects seem real. This makes the book of some historical interest to those interested in the time or place, but the sociological value is even more important. The Gambler is in many ways a comedy of manners showing how Russians behaved - and were supposed to behave, often a very different thing - abroad among themselves and with other groups. This unsurprisingly leads to much conflict, which Dostoevsky plays up for all its psychological, dramatica, and comedic worth. As all this suggests, the book is not quite as serious as his major works, lacking their epic sweep, unparalleled dramatization of dense philosophical themes, and heavy dialogue. This may disappoint those looking for a masterpiece but may even be a relief to some. It must also be noted that while even the best Dostoevsky is rough around the edges of finer artistic points - he was never a prose stylist or perfectionist, his greatness being unmatched psychological and philosophical dramatization -, this is unsurprisingly even more so because of its composition's circumstances. In the end, those not fond of more characteristic Dostoevsky may well be pleasantly surprised, and anyone who likes him should of course read this, whether early or late. An important question is what edition to buy; various translations aside, it is available in many versions from standalones to collections. Most will be better off with the latter because of the greater value, but the important thing is to read the book in some form.

The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoevsky is one of those books that reminds you how good fiction can get, how many layers of experience can be neatly laid into 180 pages, how many artistic bells and whistles can be availed in a seamless narrative. Character, theme, setting, voice, perspective, action are tightly woven together for an engrossing story about the gamblers who gather in the fictional city of Roulettenburg, Germany. The Gambler is told from the first-person point of view of Alexei, a tutor in his twenties, who like his Russian employer, the General and his extended family, gambles. Alexei observes that there are two kinds of people who gamble, those who are wealthy and do it for sport, and those who do it in hopes of making money. However much he poses as the authority, it becomes increasingly obvious that he and the General's family are caught in the snare of addiction, in that frame of mind that sends someone with incredible debts, back to the table believing that this time, they'll not only recoup the debts, they'll come out ahead. Dostoevsky takes a long look at how love becomes twisted in the fist of gambling. The big surprise of the book is how spritely it is despite the topic, how much it entertains with its sharp irony and character sketches, especially that of the Grandmother on whose presumed eminent death and will the General is placing as much belief and hope as he spends at the gambling tables. What makes the story all that more impressive is 1) that the author produced this clear-eyed critical account while himself not yet free of gambling addiction, and 2) he did it in exactly thirty days to meet a publishing schedule that would yield money to cover his debts. Its psychological vision is very modern, and Freud cited it as informing his theory about addiction. The Norton paperback edition has an introduction by the novel's translator. It provides some interesting historical notes. The literary analysis has just enough spoilers that I suggest reading it after finishing the novel. Not having read any other translation and not familiar with the original Russian to judge the quality, I can't really comment on the quality of the translation other than to say that it rings authentic and is pleasurable to read.

Dostoyevsky interrupted his work on his monumental novel, Crime and Punishment, to write this novella, The Gambler (1866). Apparently, having incurred large gambling debts himself, Dostoyevsky had in desperation for advance payment agreed to forfeit his copyrights to all of his writings if he failed to deliver a new work in a matter of weeks. Dostoyevsky completed this short novel about obsessive gambling in just thirty days, barely avoiding financial disaster. Interestingly, Dostoyevsky subsequently married the young stenographer, Anna Snitkin, to whom he had dictated this book under such pressure. The role of the young protagonist, Alexei Ivanovich, with the General's family is not entirely clear, but he does have some responsibility for looking after the younger children. The family, on vacation at a German spa known for its casino, is having financial difficulties, and is somewhat anxiously awaiting for Aunt Antonida Vassilyevna back in Moscow to die, but this irascible lady insists on living. Worse yet, Aunt Antonida, one of Dostoyevsky's most memorable and eccentric characters, shows up unexpectedly at the spa, hale and hearty, and quickly embarks on an unconstrained gambling spree, frittering away the expected inheritance. As Alexei is the narrator (The Gambler is supposedly an excerpt from his diary), we readers become privy to his own growing obsession with gambling as well as his emotional ups and downs with Miss Polina Alexandrovna, his other obsession. Alexei's complicated and shifting relationships with other secondary characters - The General, Mademoiselle Blanche De Cominges, Marquis De Grieux, Mr. Astley, and others - reveal his increasingly erratic behavior as he succumbs to gambling. Alexei himself calls it madness and foolery when he spends his massive winnings in just three weeks, finding himself once again without money or prospects. The Gambler is fascinating narrative. Dostoyevsky's novella escapes the bleakness and despair common to so many accounts of addictive behavior while it also avoids being burdened by moralistic overtones. Alexei Ivanovich's obsessive behavior speaks for itself. This lesser known work may not reach the heights of Dostoyevsky's greatest works, but by any standard, The Gambler is exceptional literature.

One of Dostoevsky's telling attributes is his ability to let the reader conclude what happens by way of open interpretation. Nothing can be more synonymous with this idea than the last idea in this short novel, "Tomorrow! Tomorrow! It will all be over!" For Alexei, this could mean a handful of things... Alexei, the narrator, relates the narration of his two-folded passions: Paulina and gambling. While he seems to be smart enough to interpret all along he has a deep obsession with both, he seemingly lacks the sheer willpower to avoid either one. There is a longing to go back to either obsession, even if there is a long period of absence. With Paulina, he desperately wants to show her that he is worthy enough for love, and he does so at the most unusual price--he is willing to make a spectacle of himself and carries on to the reader about his jealousy of others who are involved with her, namely Des Grieux and Mr. Astley. Gambling has a power that comes and goes like a whirlwind, and Alexei cannot control the urge to "put everything on the table" when that urge hits him. The issue of gambling has other connotations in the book as well. Not only is there the physical game of gambling, but many instances in which characters gamble on others for help, support or a physical or psychological need. There is the compulsiveness with which the relatives of Grandma watch over her, waiting for her to die to be able to obtain her will and inheritance, much akin to the greedy gambler who lays all the money on the roulette table. Later in the novel, Alexei himself, after a wild night of gambling and a fight with the delirious Paulina, decides haphazardly to go and live with the miserly and greedy Lady Blanche, who drains him of not only money, but self-respect. Alexei wavers back and forth with the issue of gambling, and money, and has to come to a conclusion of what it means in the larger scheme of life, and how it affects such values as pride, hope and memories. Perhaps this work doesn't obtain the depth of other Dostoevsky works--it is a relatively easy and quick read in comparison to such novels as Crime and Punishment, The Idiot and The Brothers Karamazov. However, the eccentric characters and moral issues, such as the importance of moral transformation of individuals, make for an interesting tale. There are dark moments, such as Alexei's realization that he has lost control of all power, and seemingly comical and bizarre moments, such as Grandma's trip to the roulette table, when she becomes overwhelmed with the idea of the roulette table and risks. Maybe the over all crux of the moralistic values contained in the work come from Alexei himself in the novel's final chapter, when he states that he wants to "come back to life." The idea of self-realization and that change is possible is an overpowering idea, and seems to keep our protagonist afloat when things look bleak. If the idea of reading Dostoevsky seems a little intimidating, this is a good novel to begin with.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky is not an easy writer --well, which Russian author can be called easy? -- but once you get into his books, it is difficult to put it down. One of the best ways to be introduced to his works is the short --and even funny-- novella `The Gambler'. Working with fiction and reality, this is an addictive novel. As the story goes, a gambler himself Dostoyevsky had been paid by his publisher and had a writer's block therefore couldn't write anything. He hired a stenographer to help him. So she did, and they ended up falling in love. And the world received one of the best novellas ever. On a lighter note, in 2003, this story was updated in a movie called `Alex & Emma'. While it is a great plot, the film didn't succeeded for many reasons. On the other hand, there is a movie version, also called `The Gambler', made in 1997, with Michael Gambon and directed by Károly Makk that is much closer to the novel and much better. The book tells the story of a compulsive gambler named Alexey Ivanovitch that while in a German spa casino gets involved with a couple of people, and has the greatest gamble of his life. Alexey will find love and hate, friends and enemies and will learn a lesson he will never forget. To tell more is to spoil all the fun of discovering all the twists in this amazing book. As someone who knows what he is writing about, Dostoyevsky paints a vivid portrait not only of Alexey but also of the casino and its gamblers. People win and lose in the question of minutes, and the more they lose the more obsessed they are. Just like life. Dostoyevsky's prose is crafted and beautiful. This is one of the aspects that make this book so timeless. The other one that the novella deals with human nature, and it nave loses interest --no matter when or where. The human soul is the same everywhere. So are our wishes and failures. And to write about it, Dostoyevsky is first among equals.

One of my favorites by Dostoevsky. This makes for a fun, quick read, with plenty of the dry humor and ironic twists characteristic to any of Dostoevsky's writings, with just a touch of the nihilism and philosophy. It's a great book to start with if you're just getting into his novels or haven't read any of them.

The story behind the creation of The Gambler is well-known--due to heavy debt, Dostoevsky had less than four weeks to write a novel to avoid losing the rights to all his works, both past and future. To make his task a bit easier, he hired the star pupil of a stenography school (whom he later married) to take dictation, and for the material of the novel he borrowed heavily from his own life--he had experience as a compulsive gambler, and he used his mistress Apollinariya Suslova as a model for the character Polina. The result was an inspired, though by necessity short, work of art. The passages set in the casino do an excellent job of capturing the tortured fascination that gamblers have with the roulette wheel even for readers, such as myself, who have avoided casinos all their lives. However, The Gambler is not just about gambling--it features an intriguing array of characters which are developed quite well in the mere 117 pages of the novel. "Granny," for instance, is probably just about the most amusing character I've seen in Dostoevsky, and the entangled aims of all the characters make for a very lively narrative. It seems as though, if he had the opportunity, Dostoevsky could have written a whole novel about any one of them. Obviously, The Gambler lacks the depth and brilliance of Dostoevsky's more famous long works, but if you're after a quick, entertaining read, it's really an excellent choice.

Can't say I loved this book. It took probably the first 1/3 of the book to get to a point where the story became interesting. However, after that it was quite good. I did love the character of the old Russian grandmother. She was hilarious and crabby and irascible, and I got a huge kick out of the fact that she denied her son any vestige of an inheritance, particularly since he was the one person (of all who stood to gain from her death) who wanted it so desperately that he was keeping regular tabs on her health and hoping she would die so he could get his hands on her money. The Gambler - Alexei Ivanovich - was not actually a very likeable character, and became less likeable (to me) as the book progressed. However, I thought Dostoyevsky did a really good job of illustrating how easy it is to fall into the thrall of gambling. I don't know that I'd necessarily recommend it. It is the first work of Dostoyevsky that I've read, and my impression is that it is not nearly his best work. However, I am glad that I read it, and I'll definitely read more Dostoyevsky in the future.

Dostoevsky dictated this book for payment during one of his many financial crises. I think the duress of his situation help him create a work that was more forthright than his other novels. In some sense, this book is much closer to the raw material of the author's life. The Gambler is essentially a work of the narrator's self discovery. The book opens with the speaker almost entirely lost to himself. While he has employment and professes to love Paulina, he seems perplexed by his own inner-workings. As the novel progresses, we see that he's a slave to compulsion itself in every area of his life. He confesses to the reader that he would have killed himself at the command of his would-be lover if she had asked. Shortly thereafter, on a whim, Paulina demands he carry out a socially unacceptable act to prove his love. The narrator immediately performs and his actions result in the loss of his job and his position. His entire fate, not just his financial standing, is again and again decided by his compulsion. As the book draws to a close, he has become a gambling-addicted and nearly penniless vagabond. It is in this state, however, that he finally attains self knowledge. Although depressed at his fate, he recognizes himself.

Dostoyevsky felt the gambling rooms were as hellish as the penal settlements he portrayed in THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD. He dictated the story to the woman who was to become his second wife. Five years after completing THE GAMBLER Dostoyevsky was able to stop gambling. Alexei, the General and Paulina are three of the main characters. Alexei is a tutor, an unimportant person. Paulina is the stepdaughter of the General. The General is waiting for his relative, a character known as the Grandmother to die. Alexei goes to play roulette for Paulina. He loses everything quickly. The General is infatuated with Mlle. Blanche, a much younger woman. Alexei claims Russians are incapable of accumulating capital. Roulette is made for them. Alexei learns from Paulina that the General has mortgaged everything. Paulina dares Alexei to insult another guest at the establishment, a baroness. There are times when Russians abroad become excessively nervous. The General calls Alexei to account for his actions. The Grandmother surprises everyone by arriving in town. She says she knows about the telegrams being sent asking if she is dead yet and clearly she is alive at present. The Grandmother has a wheel chair and the manager of the hotel gives her a good hotel room. Grandmother wants to go to the roulette table with Alexei who has been discharged by the General and Martha, her servant. The family hesitates to accompany her because she is eccentric. She wins by putting her money on zero. Paulina wants Alexei to deliver a letter for her to an Englishman. The General wants Alexei to stop acting as the Grandmother's guide, and to save them. The old woman, sleepless, plays again and loses. She wants to have her chair wheeled to the money changers to cash in some of her Russian bonds. Alexei goes to Paris with Mlle. Blanche. After a week the General arrives. Later Blanche and the General marry. Alexei gambles, wins, loses, and moves to Germany, guarding his small stake. Humiliation is the mainstay of friendship Alexei concludes when the Englishman visits. This skeletal rendition of some of the points of the plot fails to portray adequately the wonderful and colorful writing Dostoyevsky employs to present his all too-human actors.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky is one of the greatest novelists of all time, and arguably the greatest Russian writer of all time. Dostoyevsky, who struggled with compulsive gambling, writes an almost autobiographical short story in "The Gambler". He shows a great understanding of gambling addiction and how it can take control of one's whole being. Dostoyevsky does a great analysis of a gambling addict chasing his losses, and how even when a gambler wins he thinks he will continue winning, or gambling until you lose all your winnings. He also shows how like any addict, the gambler ceases to have any interest in his loves and interest, while overtakes his whole being. I first heard about this book reading about gambling addiction, and Dostoyevsky shows a great comprehension of the gambler's psyche. Highly recommended.

Less a review of Dostoevsky and more about this kindle edition. There's stuff missing from "The Brothers Karamazov." You're better off going to project Gutenberg.

Yes of course Dostoevsky's The Gambler is a brilliant psychological account of the slippery slope into addiction. But it is also an extraordinarily balanced demonstration of the novella form. In this brief narrative, Dostoevsky weaves several competing characters within the fabric of aristocratic high-society. This is in many ways a strange book for him; there are less religious overtones for instance. It is also a clear prototype for the existentialist mania he would expand in Crime and Punishment. The point of view oscillations between the omniscient narrator and direct presentations of the action are indeed masterful. In many ways this is a more subtle and curious book than Notes for Underground, which lays bare all of its thematic dilemmas. There is a boiling underbelly in The Gambler which remains mysteriously unexposed. Garnette's translation is known to be overly Victorian, but the English is beautiful all the same.

This novel traces the family intrigues and passionate affairs of a group of Russians in Germany. A great character, the Grandmother, is surrounded by potential heirs who are eagerly waiting for her to die, as all of them make their future depend on her money. Unfortunately, she becomes an addict to gambling, happily throwing away her fortune while the potential heirs get desperate and dismayed. This is a lot of fun, because, with his characteristic irony and dark humor, Dostoevsky digs into their souls and lay them bare for us to see the raw cheapness and lust for money that dominate them. The main protagonist falls prey to the vice of gambling, becoming a real and sick addict. The second part tells the story of his pathetic descent into the hell of vice, and is less funny and more soul-exploring. Certainly not a work of art comparable to "Crime and punsihment" or "The Brothers Karamazov", "The gambler" is nevertheless a very good novel, in the best Dostoevskian tradition: psychological depth, raw exploration of the human soul, dark view on humankind.

For those who do not have the time but certainly the desire to read Dostoyevsky's full-bodied masterpieces, they can do much worse than picking up this book. According to the author's biography, it was completed in a hurry to prevent him from losing the rights of his works to his publisher. If so, then it sets the quality standard for jobs done in a rush. There are no loose ends: all characters are developed in such a way that one can identify their purpose in the story and their destinies are clearly explained. One can also sympathize with the main character and his gambling addiction. Lacking time to develop a full love story, the failed attempt laid out in the book is both credible and moving. And finally, in case the reader doubted that the novel hadn't been crafted for months, the author writes: "Paris, oh what can we say about Paris?", that is the equivalent of saying "please, don't you know that I'm in a rush here?"

Granny tells her family to go to hell because she thinks they’re only after her money. Then she goes to the Casino and quickly gets addicted to roulette. Her nephew tries to dissuade her from gambling away the family fortune by telling her she should go hiking with him and enjoy the beautiful view from the top of the mountain; she looks at him like he’s crazy and tells him to shove that beautiful view up his ass.

I had a hard time getting into the story in the beginning and had to read the first two chapters a couple of times to understand it. It was a little dry and slow moving at first and I had to force myself to continue but it was well worth it when it did take off. I completely lost myself and could not put it down. The Russian social dynamic is not my favorite because of the dry, drab, closed style of relating to one another. But in the end, I guess that human nature is human nature, no matter what the culture and this was a probing window into the life of the gambler and a great depiction of the addictive, enticing nature of gambling. And the writing style ultimately made it an exciting, suspenseful read.

The hero of this book is complicated, a lover and compulsive. His obsession quite possibly stemming from his granmother who too, was a gambler in her day. As well, I strongly believe that this work is partially biographical, leaning on the life that Dostoyevsky led himself. The light and energy that feeds from the words to your minds is incredible. The meloncholy man seems to light up when in the sounds and horrors, as the Russian Roulette plays before. As the book follows his life, one cannot but help feel sorry for him, and loat him simultaneously. Reading this can make one wonder why people fall into this intoxication, however, completely understand gamblings grand appeal. This was my first Dostoyevsky and thus started my love affair with him. The book is witty, charming, dark, tragic and passionate. A wonderful, well recommended read.

SYNOPSIS: The novel centers around the career of a natural gambler named Alexei, who, as a tutor in the household of a certain Russian General, is infatuated with two things: the roulette and Paulina, the General's high-spirited niece. The manifold intrigues of all other characters - directly or indirectly - center around the awaited death of the General's aunt, an aged and wealthy Russian landowner who is expected to leave behind a considerable inheritance. In a sense, everyone is gambling. The story reaches a small climax when this landowner pays a surprise visit to the General. In the commotion that follows, Alexei is forced to make a choice between his two loves. There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding concerning this novelette by Dostoyevsky. Many straightforwardly equate Alexei with Dostoyevsky, and Paulina with Apollinaria Suslova, his one-time cruel mistress. But this is overhasty because there seems to me a crucial difference between Alexei and the author. Namely, the author was wracked by guilt and remorse after every debacle at the roulette table. Alexei had no such compunction. He is truly a natural gambler; throughout the novel we see him taking wild risks, for example, telling Paulina that he would throw himself from the Schlangenberg with her slightest approval. His love of gambling is less a desire to get rich - indeed he seems to shrug off his winnings as nonchalantly as his losses - or a means of building his self-esteem, but more about "an uncontrollable urge to stick my tongue at it [Fate]," (pg. 40) or plain thrill-seeking: "he feels the need for stronger and stronger ones" (pg. 147). What's particularly painful is that even though he has momentary insights into the true root of his addiction, his self-analysis on the whole is about as farcical as his "theory" of roulette. And this will become very apparent with his treatment of Paulina. Paulina's motives are more nebulous and deserve some explaining. Hysteria and extreme irrational behavior often stems from excessive pride in Dostoyevsky's psychoanalysis. This is true especially of Mme Epanchina and her daughter Aglaya in "The Idiot", certainly Katerina Ivanovna in C&P, and is a favorite theme of Dostoyevsky's. In the case of Paulina, she particularly resents having any monetary value attached to her person. This loathing has it roots in Des Grieux's reluctance to marry her without dowry. It also explains why she turns down Grandmother's generous offer, and, of course, the culminating scene with Alexei. This would help to explain some of the puzzling outbursts. Of the novel as a whole, there are pros and cons. The whole atmosphere of the novel is much lighter than the usual miasma of nerve-wracking gloom. Alexei's little fling with Blanche, sort of an upper-class call-girl, has some unexpectedly simple tenderness that's rare in his novels (usually they are more melodramatic or heightened). You can certainly get a chuckle out of Alexei's audacity elsewhere, particularly when he plays a pretty brutal prank on an extremely uptight German baron. Certainly, there are enough humorous anecdotes to keep a reader's attention. But what I find less appealing is the focus of this novel on nationality. As many people have noted, this is the most cosmopolitan of all his novels and yet this may be the one that presents his xenophobic stereotypes in a glaring manner. Alexei and the British Mr. Astley claim an innate gambling streak in the Russian national character. Whatever the truth of the claim, this at least has anecdotal value when Alexei contrasts this with a satirical view of the "German Idol" when he claims that he refuses "to consider myself as an instrument for the accumulation of capital."(pg.45). But in the process both the Russian and German character is heavily caricatured. On top of this, there's Des Grieux, an all-too-generic French villain of the sarcastically polite type, and the slanderous manhandling of the Poles and Jews. The undesirable sum effect of all of these is that it detracts from the psychology not only of the gambler, but of the other characters. My opinion is that his rampant xenophobia had prevented Dostoyevsky from properly fleshing out his characters. Personally speaking, the drama of clashing psychologies is what I relish in reading Dostoyevsky. In conclusion, the novel is entertaining enough to read and comes with a good introduction. But it is impossible for anyone to resist the temptation of comparing it with his other output. Even if you reject his acknowledged masterpieces for its larger volume, there's still the luminous "White Nights", the masterly "Eternal Husband" and of course the revolutionary "Notes from Underground" to consider. To be very frank, life is too short: you're better off reading any of the above three unless you've read them already.

Dostoevsky's life during the period which THE GAMBLER was written was filled with his own gambling debts and an ominous publishing arrangement that nearly destroyed his future hopes of sustaining himself as a writer. The manuscript was dictated in a month to a young stenographer who was to later become Dostoevsky's wife and paved the way for the classics, CRIME AND PUNISHMENT and THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV. The story takes place in the fictional city of transience, Roulettenburg, and begins with the first-person narrative of the main character cum principal gambler, Alexey Ivanovitch. Alexey is a tutor for the family of a Russian General whose heavily-leveraged fate is tied to the inheritance of an aunt (Granny). The plot moves to show several inter-relationships between the characters, romantic and financial, that seem dependent on the death of Granny, and later, her stakes at roulette, in order to be fully realized. Each of the relations are cultivated to evoke the futility of being a slave in the midst of this hawkishness: Alexey and Polina, the General and the Frenchman, de Grieux, the General and Mlle. Blanche, Astley and Polina - all walk in each other's footsteps chasing after the same banknotes in a comedy-of-errors atmosphere of gambling and unrealized posterity. Practically the entire purpose of the book can be summarized on the first page at the end of the first paragraph when Alexey says, "Things have accumulated." The accumulations are more figurative than literal and directly tied to spiritual well-being. This is not just the case for Alexey but for the other characters as well. When one thinks of a gambler, the connotation of unnecessary risk comes to mind. Everything about Dostoevsky's story is a gamble (for this is the spirit in which it was penned) and, like the compulsion of such vice, the character's actions are conducted in rash, unpredictable interchanges based solely on the machinations of chance, as to determine a "sort of order in (their) sequence." Polina, who is the love interest of Alexey, is but a tease and is symbolic of the vexations of his habit, the roulette wheel. Her mercurial temperament indeed goes from red to black to red - odd and even - with the silver ball of her intentions vacillating far out of the reach of Alexey whose judgment is clouded by psychological enslavement to her and the Casino. Despite gesticulations such as, "I must have money, come what may...I must get it or I am lost," money is not what motivates any of the relationships in the novel. This is not the type of accumulation Dostoevsky refers to. Rather, it is the inward rush of chance and the untenable nature of the future that binds one person to the other in fits of instability and personal corruptions in the quest for the miraculous. The characters live in the present only, governed by an undercurrent of turpitude. And as with most of Dostoevsky's preoccupations of this vein, this emotional attachment on the part of the characters in THE GAMBLER allows him to deftly work in Christian themes of faith and temptation through the symbol of the Schlangenberg (Snake Mountain). At first introduction to this symbol, we are reminded of the second temptation of Christ and can associate Polina with the Devil and Alexey as a Christ-like characterization. As a test of his faith, Alexey promises to throw himself from the Schlangenberg at Polina's whim, which somewhat perverts the order of the Biblical temptation. Here, he is a more defeated Christ who would willingly offer to sell his soul for masochism and yield to the fate of the fall regardless of life or death, or more properly, the win or loss. Alexey is in love with Polina in the same manner as he is with gambling and this relationship that moves from hate ("morally horrid and dirty"), to love ("in the halo of her glory"), to hate ("How insolent and how greedy...") hinges on the suddenness of chance only. He even goes so far as to admit to her that roulette is his "only escape and salvation" while also acknowledging the morass of "humiliation and the slavery" by which he is held. If he were in fact to thrust himself from the peak of the Schlangenberg in servitude of his passion, he would complete the perpetual cycle of life of the gambler by having come back to z'ro with everything lost and nothing gained. In the secondary characters such as the General and the Frenchman (Marquis de Grieux), with the former entirely indebted to the latter through a failed business transaction, it is revealed that their relationship is predicated on much of the same compulsive emotional substance of Alexey and Polina. When Alexey asks of himself, "But can I leave Polina...?" Dostoevsky really says, "The gambler is a hopeless junkie" and when the General sweats over an inheritance in order to pay off the many mortgages owed to the Frenchman, there is an even more tangible sense of the effects of heedless risk. Dostoevsky gives us the essential nature of supply and demand and the very real accumulations of despair in the commerce of addiction. It is no wonder famous psychologists defer to the work of Dostoevsky for there is possibly no better representation of the motivation of man than that which is found in his fiction. THE GAMBLER is recommended more as a secondary text to complement a concentrated study of the author. At times the work feels overly chancy and less focused as if during dictation Dostoevsky had four out of five chambers loaded with bullets playing a more sinister game of roulette. The biography is an important part of forgiving some of the less brilliant aspects of this book and one should keep in mind the environment in which this book was composed; the massive strain to produce that befell Dostoevsky at the time. As such, while the work is harried in spots and lacks some of the more advanced thought and plot construction found in the later masterpieces referenced at the beginning of this review, it is an important part of understanding Dostoevsky's legacy. For a true appreciation of the author, start with the later works and then come back to bet away a few hours on a book like THE GAMBLER. A note on translation: When reading an author whose work requires the aid of translation, I deem it best to adhere to one translator or the other in order to as closely hear a consistency in the author's voice as is possible. In the case of Dostoevsky, most scholars claim the preferred translations are those of Constance Garnett. Garnett was the first to translate Dostoevsky into English and while not perfect (as has been shown in more modern times with her near-miss titling of THE POSSESSED, now more readily accepted as THE DEVILS or DEMONS), her translations featured in the 12 volume collection, THE NOVELS OF FYODOR DOSTOEVSKY (1912-20) are generally considered as the most accurate versions available. To my knowledge, all of the Garnett translations are produced in reasonably priced mass-market and trade paperback forms. For the collector, at least three Garnett-translated Dostoevsky works are available in leather-bound editions from the Easton Press: CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV (both from "The 100 Greatest Books Ever Written" series) and THE IDIOT (from the "Collector's Library of Famous Editions" series). © 2005-2006 Edward J. Carvalho

The Gambler is primarily a book about obssession and mania, a topic that Dostoyevsky would go on to further explore using criminal, political and religious themes as a backdrop. The God in the gambler is not Christ, but Lady Luck and her spinning ways at the roullette wheel. This book written while FD was majorly in debt due to gambling losses explores his need to gamble. Moreover, it is a book that contains some of Dostovesky most memorable tertiary characters. Alexi the narrator is a young tutor and part of a Russian general's entourage in a Riviera. He falls in love with the General's neice, who is constantly tormenting, taunting and pathologically luring him. She makes Alexi, who is not only a compulsive gambler, but an impulsive cretin commit "unspeakable" acts to bourgeoise and lesser royalty in public.... Alexi's desperate failure to win the niece's attention's is marked by his increasing need to gamble his pitous funds. But Lady Luck does smile on Alexi for a while (although he is so agitated he doesn't know it), before taking everything away from him: money, love and his meager Russian pride. The novel sees the disintegration and paradoxic increased euphoria of Alexi's character, until he is at the end so depraved that one wonders what keeps him from going mad. It is, of course, the brilliance of the book. Gambling, which is his undoing, is also his ultimate salvation, his wheel spinning, silver ball bouncing hope. The more depraved Aleci becomes the more manic and inspired the prose becomes with Dostoyevsky's frenetic brilliance making the best of us get itchy palms. At the end you yourself will want to hit the roullette wheel with an inspiration that can only come from the poisoned and infectious mind of a religious man and great writer who once viewed God not as the Arbiter of Good and Evil and Creator of Worlds, but God as a roll of dice, a deal of the cards and a most terrible and remorseless spin of the wheel. Although most people consider this book a minor work, it is Dostoyevsky at his inspired best. While it doesn't have the profound (and morbid) philosophy of Notes from the Underground, it has incredible characterization and a humorous, dramatic narrative

Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote The Gambler in 1866, completing the novel in just twenty-six days in order to pay off a debt. His financial misfortunes stemmed partially from his own struggles with gambling addiction and it's apparent in the novel that the author knew a great deal about Roulette and the world of gambling. Dostoevsky penned an impressive story, especially considering the razor-sharp deadline he was forced to adhere to, and was able to gain some money from his gambling experiences even though the Roulette wheel didn't treat him so kindly. Dostoevsky presents his novel as the diary of Alexey Ivanovitch, a young tutor employed by a Russian general, simply referred to as the General. Alexey is madly in love with Polina Alexandrovna, the General's voluptuous niece, but unfortunately she is coldly indifferent to him. A Frenchmen with a con artist's charm, the Marques de Grieux, and an Englishmen, Mr. Astley, who is reprehensibly good-natured and pure, also pursue Polina. The General is having similar problems with a Frenchwoman Mlle. Blanche with whom he is hopelessly in love. Mlle. Blanche quite obviously desires money out of their relationship and little else but the General is so thoroughly enslaved by her love that he cares not. Alexey enters the service of the General and slowly picks up on the complex situation his employer is in. The General, who gambles recklessly and is generally prone to squander his money, owes De Grieux a large sum of money. Until he can clear up his financial situation and lay his hands on some cash, the General has absolutely no chance of marrying the alluring Mlle. Blanche. Polina for her part is considering marrying De Grieux or Mr. Astley in order to help her uncle pay off his massive debts. Alexey acts as a friend/confidant/advisor to Polina on her romantic situation even though he himself is completely enamored by her. At the beginning of the novel, Polina instructs Alexey to gamble with her money, hoping to ease the financial strain their household is under. Alexey is happy to serve his love, but soon realizes that he would rather gamble with his own money so that he could gain the wealth he feels would be necessary to gain Polina's affection. Ironically, Alexey writes about the foolishness of gambling only to later become obsessed and addicted to it: "Gambling is a most foolish and imprudent pursuit! What was particularly ugly at first sight, in all the rabble round the roulette table, was the respect they paid to the pursuit, the solemnity and even reverence with which they all crowded round the tables... A gentleman may stake, for instance, five or ten louis d'or, rarely more; he may however stake as much as a thousand francs if he is very rich; but only for the sake of the play, simply for amusement, that is, simply to look on at the process of winning or of losing, but must on no account display an interest in winning" (Dostoevsky 18). I enjoyed the description of the world of Roulette--the probability of the game, the systems people naively develop in order to beat the odds, and the leaches who live off the gamblers currently in a streak of dumb luck. As always, Dostoevsky's characters are vivid and engaging, allowing the plot to captivate. The Gambler is a quick read by Dostoevsky standards but is not a light read by any means as it delves into existentialism. Alexey refuses to be defined by the social hierarchy and rejects cordialities reserved for the privileged aristocracy. He is willing to give up everything and do anything, even kill himself, for Polina, but ultimately this fervent dedication, even paired with abundant wealth, does not guarantee him the fickle vixen's heart.

I thought this book was a thoughtful study of the gambling compulsion. But more than that Dostoevsky brilliantly delves into the very divergent view that Germans and Russians have towards accumulating capital. Germans scrimp and save for generations to accumulate capital. When Russians want capital they go to the casino. What he said then still rings true today.

I'll give this 3 stars just to be kind to Dostoyevsky, an author I love dearly, but The Gambler is by far the least satisfying, least engaging, and least interesting book by him that I have read. The first half of the book is interesting, but the last half of the book seems rushed, awkward, and unrealized. I put the book down feeling a bit dumbfounded, and certainly let down. If you love Dostoyevsky you should probably give it a read at some point, but personally I would not say it is of pressing importance.

This is a very good book. A brilliant motley set of characters as usual with dostoevsky. Also a very interesting plots and a very memorable hero. I liked Alexei very much, he reminded me a bit of Stendahl's Julean Sorelle. anyway, it shows gambling for all it's shallowness and stupidness but it lacks the religious and philosophical insight of most of dostoevsky's latter work. It's not one of Dostoevsky's best, but what is mediocre for Dostoevsky is still a very very good book in comparison to other writers. I do recommend this book.

A compelling tale of compulsion, addiction, and general base desperate grasping. And - oddly enough - it seems to me that the editor missed a couple of plot points that could have been wrapped up. According to accounts, though - the story was written in a great hurry, as all Dostevsky's royalties were wagered on it - which provides a beautiful backstory to keep in the back of your mind as you read.

Written in narrative style, Alexey Ivanovitch is a young tutor working for a minor Russian aristocrat, aka the General. The book takes us back to a bygone time when the aristocrats of Europe never worked a day in their life, but rather journey about in an endless cycle of idle amusements - often including gambling. As the rich and titled enjoy their favorite pastime at a German casino, we watch the dysfunctional Russian family, either love sick or somewhat mentally unstable and sometimes both, testing their luck on the gaming tables - often with amazing consequences. An unusual, slightly demented and always amusing tale of a time period that is gone forever.

I didn't know much about The Gambler before I jumped in, but I hoped it was a story about the underbelly of society. It's actually a soap opera about trust funders trying to leech even more money. I didn't sympathize or even like any of the characters in this book.

Don't like the translation

This short novel, written at break neck speed to appease his publisher, is stunning. By turns humorous and deeply dark it reveals how all our lives are subject to the wheel of fate, and that with every turn could be happiness or ruin.

book is in good condition, but I did not like Dostoyevsky.

The Gambler is my favourite book by Dostoyevsky. (My personal Top3 would be The Gambler, The Idiot, Crime and Punishment). This is also the best place to start with Dostoyevsky before moving on to heavier stuff. The novel is crisp and lighthearted, and is fun to read even in the 21st century. If you liked it make sure to check out The Hero of Our Time by Lermontov.

Brilliant, emotionally twisted novel with subdued observations and madly intoxicating behaviors. Souls are bared and hidden,feelings are life threatening and questions are unasked. This is a different Dostoevsky,with the same amazing sweeping sheer power of writing but exploded in your face rather than carrying you along the minefield!

A great story dealing with the pschological harm and injury that a is the result of compulsive gambling by an intelligent individual. I would like to purchase the movie version in which Gregory Peck played the leading role.

One of Dostoyevsky's masterpieces: Shows all the human feelings in a triangle of love - greed & passion. Absolutely recommended...

Great story. Lots of drama and some romance and steam.

Dostoevsky is one of my favorite authors. He poses questions about society and makes you think. Reading him at a young age made me a socialist and I could never view poverty or injustice as a 'normal' state of affairs again. He delves into areas you may not know about, however learning about history, other peoples' struggles with self-knowledge and bureaucracy will leave you with insights that will enrich your lives.

This is undoubtedly the single most value for money I have ever had from any purchase in my life... 79p for the entire works of Dostoyevsky, one of if not the greatest writers of all time. If you have a kindle you have to have this...

A most wonderful author that has captured my attention since I was a teenager. His understanding of character & motive rates alongside Charles Dickens in my humble opinion. Also gives one a feeling for the Russian soul.

The Gambler is an extraordinary tale by one of the acknowledged masters of world literature and this edition benefits from an excellent introduction, low-cost and the opportunity to experience the translation of Constance Garnett. The Gambler is at one level of picaresque tale of obsessions, erotic, financial, social and of course gambling itself, which ultimately represents the hazard of oneself and one's life. At the same time, events and remarks can be read in more than one way since they possess archetypal or mythical status. For example, 'the Gambler' of the novel offers to throw himself off the top of Snake Peak at the instruction of the young woman he is in love with. For Dostoevsky, a Christian whose attitudes have been informed by the mystical content of his epileptic fits and the cast of his extraordinary mind , this has parallels with one of the temptations of Christ, when Lucifer proposes to him that he should leap from the top of a mountain. Ultimately, the book explores the nature of freedom, the pseudo-thrills, -freedoms and -dreams of people and asks where happiness really lies. Much of the novel is also based around the experiences of Dostoevsky himself, who was prone to gambling, was married with compulsive ardour to a woman who treated him in a way experienced by the `hero', who is also a kind of anti-hero, travelled abroad, the story takes place in Germany and Paris, and so on. The novel was also born in extraordinary circumstances that synchronise with the content. Dostoevsky at made a kind of gamble that he could finish the book in a short deadline while also finishing his masterpiece Crime and Punishment, with the penalty of failing to do so being the loss of his livelihood for nearly 10 years. With less than a month remaining to hand the book into his publisher he had not yet got started. The frenetic pace of the subsequent conversation is echoed in the headlong pace that characterises the events of the story. (By the way, it was while finishing this book with the help of a stenographer that he discovered the woman who would become his wife and change his life.) The Gambler has neither the epic scale nor literary stature of his great masterpieces including Crime and Punishment and the Idiot, but it is nevertheless an extremely fine major work, a must read for anyone interested in literature and human psychology, and for some benefits from its brevity. This is an old translation by Constance Garnett, who is the most influential of all Russian translators. Single-handedly she brought Russian literature to the English-speaking world, translating 73 masterpieces. The translations have been criticised, most particularly for the fact that she inevitably brings a certain similarity of style, and Dostoevsky is not one of the authors that she is most admired for, yet despite this her translations remain a benchmark for modern translators, so this remains excellent value. Furthermore, it's been quite well typeset for e-reading, reads perfectly on the iPad Kindle and with few flaws in the Kindle itself.

Am looking forward to months of reading

So many typo's in this edition makes it frustrating to read.

Dostoevsky's 16 greatest books including crime and punishment are so brilliant and you get them at an astonishing price. If you're a fan of Dostoevsky but this now!

If you have an addiction to anything you will feel the trickle of sweat running down your neck as you read this and feel the joy of of winning the despair of losing and both the fear and terror of winning again. How did he manage to put so much terror, despair and bewilderment into one short story? Genius.

Perfect read

All of humanity in a book. Timeless themes which make it feel like a story for modern times. Staying power required around the death of father Zossima.

Classic literature

Excellent novels.

Classic Russian Novel - mostly about relationships between people - and obviously gambling. Worth a read.

Good

Very good in translation

I love Dostoyevsky, but this edition is absolutely hopeless. It seems to have been auto-formatted with no proofreading. There are typos everywhere, it is virtually unreadable. Many words squished together that should have space between them and some random full stops in the middle of sentences. I am using a Paperwhite, and having no problems with any other books. I bought this for $6.15 AUD thinking it would be good quality, and convenient to have all his books in one place. Extremely disappointing. DO NOT PURCHASE THIS EDITION FOR KINDLE, GET A DIFFERENT ONE.

You get the ENTIRE collection for something like a dollar or so. This is a no-brainer. If you're a masochist like I am you'll buy this and let good ol' Dostoyevsky crush and lift your spirit with his wisdom. Suffering is as much part of us as food and water, we must live with it and thrive on.

No one can describe characters quite like Dostoevsky. Polina, the Grandmother, Alexis the central figure, Mr Astley and the General and De Griers. BiPolar, Panic Disorders, Pride and secrets from one another. Humour to be sure but nonetheless so depressing. Mr Astley is most stable but he’s hopelessly in love with Polina and he accepts just to care for her.

Simply the greatest novels written. The format is great, and the price was fabulous. Surely the best cents per word of all books on Amazon!!

Value for money! Excellent translation. In-built access to wiki and dictionary are very helpful.

A present for my growing daughter who likes to read so she start reading better books (classics) to enrich her vocabulary while having fun.

An all time classic, Dostoyevsky’s chef d’oeuvre, and a must read. Brilliantly read, exactly what the book deserves. Time well spent.

This book is not translated into English properly. It seems like it has been done digitally with no human checking. It is unreadable. I selected one star because I could not select zero stars, which is what I give it.

Husband loves the author and the book

I enjoyed reading this beautiful story which has somewhat been ruined in the process of English translation. A great book which covers varying perspectives on religion, psychology and principles.

Have only resd crime and punishment so far. Its amazing and I will surely read the rest.