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The Gambler

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The Gambler

By: Fyodor Dostoevsky
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
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Summary

The Gambler paints a stark picture of the attractions—and addictions—of gambling. Using skillful characterization, Dostoevsky faithfully depicts life among the gambling set in old Germany. This probing psychological novel explores the tangled love affairs and complicated lives of Alexey Ivanovitch, a young gambler, and Polina Alexandrovna, the woman he loves.

Fyodor Mikhaylovich Dostoevsky (1821–1881) was born in Moscow, the son of a surgeon. Leaving the study of engineering for literature, he published Poor Folk in 1846. As a member of revolutionary circles in St. Petersburg, he was condemned to death in 1849. A last-minute reprieve sent him to Siberia for hard labor. Returning to St. Petersburg in 1859, he worked as a journalist and completed his masterpiece, Crime and Punishment, as well as other works, including The Idiot and The Brothers Karamazov.

Public Domain (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Psychological Russia
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Critic reviews

“Dostoevsky gives me more than any scientist.” (Albert Einstein)
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I wanted to like this book but found it really bland and I kept checking out. It took me a really long time to finish because I just didn't find the story engaging. The narrator was great, and I loved his voice - I feel like I just listened to his voice a lot of the time rather than processed what was being said.

kept checking out

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Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend this book to a friend, the literature of the gaming table is fertile ground for sustaining suspense. The story moves along at a fair click. No doubt helped by the fact the Dostoevsky was writing under under a very strict deadline.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The most interesting is the glimpse given of European Casino life in the 19th century which features fleetingly in other works of the era (I'm thinking of Vanity Fair).The least interesting aspect is the complete lack of likeable characters. I don't know whether or not Dostoevsky deliberately made it so, as this is my first foray into his dark world, but its hard work when you don't really care about any of the characters.

Which character – as performed by Simon Prebble – was your favourite?

The General, around which the other characters orbit and nicely centres the story. In fact he's the only one I had any sympathy for and by the end I was hoping he would triumph.

Was The Gambler worth the listening time?

Yes and you can get the book free as well.

Any additional comments?

Simon Prebble does an excellent job, although maybe the Duchess could have been toned down a little (she sounded like Lady Bracknell!)

Bad Hombre at Bad Homburg

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Im not familiar with Dostoevski so I didn't really know what to expect.
It was fine, more of a cautionary tale than anything, the diary structure was interesting but the sudden switch to french was kind of anoying since I must have missed important details.

Its fine

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Gripping in places but not one of his classics. Beautifully narrated tho and listened for free as part of the included catalogue titles so can't complain

Not as good as Crime and Punishment

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Simon Prebble is a great narrator, I’ve listened to quite a few he’s narrated.
I do not know how common gambling addiction was back then, but it’s sadly common now.
Interesting listen

Great narration

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