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…

Whenever I hear the advice “write what you know,” this is one of the first books to come to mind. Dostoevsky had an incredible ability to capture the feeling of guilt and instill it into the reader. In “The Gambler,” this is coupled with his own struggles with gambling addiction. Not only did this inform the novel, but it was also written to cover a gambling debt.

As a testament to his craft, this short 1866 novel will have you gripping the pages, feeling uncomfortable with a dry mouth and glassy eyes, as if you too were falling headlong into a gambling addiction. And while it is considered one of his “light” novels, it still packs such an emotional hit that resonates long after it's over.

The story follows Alexey Ivanovitch, a tutor in the house of a dignified Russian general. He pursues the step-daughter, Polina, despite her affections towards a fake French marquis who is involved in a real estate scheme with the General’s money. Alexey gambles for love and also for money in an attempt to rise above his station. Dostoevsky delivers a sharp analysis of the gambling-addicted mind, criticism of both Western Europe and the Russian character, and satisfies yet again with a darkly existential novel.

The story behind “The Gambler” is nearly as interesting as the novel itself. Due to his debts to Russian publisher Stellovski, Dostoevsky made a deal that he could complete a novel in 30 days or lose the publishing rights to all his past and future work. Perhaps the rapid pace and gambling stressors added to the manic tone of the novel. In order to complete it more quickly, he hired a stenographer for the first time, Anna Grigoryevna Snitkina, a woman 25 years younger than him who would quickly become his wife within a year and transcribe many of his famous works.
This also followed his heartbreak at the death of his wife, Maria, from tuberculosis in 1864, and the breakdown of an affair he had with Polina Suslova in 1862. The character of Polina here is undoubtedly based on her, and the French marquis is likely based on the man she left him for. Alexey spares no insult for the man in the novel. He also had an idea ready to go, having written about the idea for this novel 3 years prior to a friend.
Like every college essay I ever wrote, Dostoevsky completed “The Gambler” right at the deadline. When the publisher could not be located (by design, so the rumor goes), he turned it into the police station in order to validate his success of the bet. And now we have this little gem, though Dostoevsky would soon abandon Russia in 1967 and remain outside the country for 4 years due to being pursued by creditors.
This is the classic tale of pursuing wealth in all the wrong ways. For much of the book, Alexey isn't at the roulette tables, but merely enticed by them and in a frenzy over Polina and the Frenchman. He says initially, “I had come there not only to look at, but also to number myself sincerely and wholeheartedly with, the mob.” Before finally, in a state of frustration, he begins to gamble. Things get dark here. Even when he is losing, he feels a foolish hope he can change his fortune, thinking, “What may I be tomorrow? Tomorrow I may rise from the dead and begin to live anew!” Dostoevsky frames the novel as if he is a damned soul and the slide into gambling addiction is an inevitability that we watch in horror as he is pulled towards it.
When he does take the plunge, he loses clarity, and Dostoevsky shows how hope is a double-edged sword, one that can help you persevere but one that can also cloud your judgment. Not that gambling addiction is something that will destroy everyone forever. I urge anyone who suspects they may be in danger to seek help because it is out there and you can get through it. Our character here, however, sees gambling as the way to win Polina as well as money, and Dostoevsky does not have a bright future laid out for him. The ending feels similar in vibes to “Chess Story” by Stefan Zweig, undoubtedly different books and aims, but that feeling of dread in the pit of your stomach reaches a fever pitch as the books come to an end.
Which is something I LOVE so much about Dostoevsky. He can really instill emotion into the reader. I talk about this at length in my review of “Crime and Punishment” because while reading that, I happened to get a seasonal cold that doubled down on my feelings of guilt and dread along with Raskolnikov’s illness. If police were to show up and clap cuffs on me for accessory to murder, I would have confessed—Dostoevsky makes you feel that complicit. Which is part of why he has remained such a classic author. There are moments where this book feels dated, particularly the long passages on what gambling addiction is and some sort of time-period issues (as well as some not great generalizations about ethnicities…), but overall it has a powerful impact in the present day.
This novel is unique in a way that it does not take place in Russia and allows Dostoevsky to comment upon Western culture as well as reflect back on Russia. He pretty much has nothing positive to say about anyone, but the French definitely fall under his ire. He also reflects on himself as a Russian and his critiques of Russian culture, as he tends to do. “Russians alone are able to combine so many opposites in themselves at one and the same time,” and these dualities and incongruities are often mined for his best insights into humanity throughout his fabulous career.
While this may not have the huge moments of genius and sweeping insights, “The Gambler” is an excellent psychological tale on the small scale. If anything, Dostoevsky welcomes you into his hellish state of gambling and makes you understand him in a way that few other writers are able to find the shortcut to so effectively. A highly recommended read, particularly for those who have loved the big novels and are craving more. He does compel you, which is an interesting feeling to be having when suddenly reading his book about addiction and looking over to see you have a tattoo of him on your arm and thinking, maybe I have a literary addiction? Okay, maybe that is just me. “The Gambler” is a minor work but one that still leaves a major impact.

4/5

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"A person has the ability, in every situation, to act in a way that preserves his dignity. Struggle elevates a person's worth and does not lower it."

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I have always heard that "suffering creates creativity," and I fully believed in this idea when I got to know Dostoyevsky, Franz Kafka, Gustave Flaubert, Taha Hussein, and many others who were able to present to humanity eternal works while they were suffering from illness, debt, or social conditions. Dostoyevsky, for example, presented us with this remarkable novel while he was trembling under the weight of his epileptic seizures and the unforgiving demands of his creditors. The first draft of this novel was dictated to Anna Grigoryevna, who would later become his wife.
The events of the novel revolve around Alyosha Ivanovich, a poor and eccentric gambler who has no money and毫不犹豫地 goes to gamble, even if the only money he has is for buying his breakfast. Alyosha Ivanovich is a human prototype that we see a lot in our society, and we are most amazed by him and his strange and repeated behavior in dealing with a subject that concerns him, and we half consider him a failure! Dostoyevsky, however, was able to understand this human prototype and delve deep into his own soul and show us what is going on inside him and what is going on in his mind.
It is a very skillful novel, and it is worth mentioning that it has more similarities and intersections with Dostoyevsky's personal life than his other novels.


…

The description of the human essence's alienation from ethics in gambling is captivating. Hymn. ❣

Gambling has long been a controversial topic, and its impact on human nature cannot be ignored. When people engage in gambling, they often find themselves losing touch with their moral compass. The allure of quick wins and the excitement of the game can cloud their judgment and lead them to make decisions that are contrary to their ethical beliefs.

This alienation from ethics can have far-reaching consequences. It can damage personal relationships, lead to financial ruin, and even have a negative impact on mental health. The constant pursuit of winning can become an obsession, consuming a person's life and leaving them feeling empty and unfulfilled.

In conclusion, the description of the human essence's alienation from ethics in gambling serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of maintaining our moral integrity in all aspects of life. We must be vigilant against the temptations of gambling and ensure that our actions are guided by ethical principles. Only then can we hope to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives.

Recently, someone else on Goodreads DNFd (Did Not Finish) this book, which actually inspired me to do the same. I found myself torturing myself while attempting to get through this SHORT book. Why was I doing this to myself? Well, there are so many other better books out there waiting for me to read. I'm certain that this book is classified as a classic for a particular reason. However, I just can't seem to care enough to make the effort. In fact, I only managed to get through 31 pages. It's not that I don't appreciate the value that a classic might hold, but sometimes, our interests and the books that truly engage us don't always align with what is considered a classic. Maybe I'll come back to this book at a later time, but for now, I'm going to move on and explore other literary treasures.

Marionettes

The Player is a satire - it is a full delight to the society of that time and, as for me, to humanity in general.

Dostoyevsky sees humans as slaves:

What moves us?

Love?

Money?

The thirst for emotions?

A little of all three?

Is this the Holy Trinity that manipulates, affects and commands our lives?

According to the logic of The Player, such a question is merely rhetorical!...

Marionettes are often used as a metaphor in literature to represent the idea that humans are controlled by forces beyond their understanding or control. In Dostoyevsky's work, this concept is explored in depth. He questions what truly drives human behavior and suggests that it may be a combination of love, money, and the desire for emotions. The idea that these forces could be compared to a Holy Trinity adds a layer of religious and philosophical significance to the discussion. By presenting these questions as rhetorical, Dostoyevsky challenges the reader to think about their own lives and the forces that shape them.

Dostoyevsky's work is profoundly realistic and cruel. In this tale, he transports his real and devastating experience with gambling, the provoked vice, and its consequences. It is a book that is easy and quick to read. It delves not only into the coldness of the roulette but also into the self-interested relationships among the characters in society. The details are immense, and it is as relevant today as if it had been published just now. The story unfolds, revealing the dark underbelly of human nature and the destructive power of addiction. Dostoyevsky's masterful writing style draws the reader in and keeps them engaged until the very end. This work is a classic that continues to resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky's short stories are truly remarkable.

The character of the grandmother, with all her contradictions and her passionate love for life despite being on the verge of death, was the most captivating for me, even though the story had many other interesting characters.

The vivid description of the roulette table and the madness that infects the players gathered around it makes you feel as if you are actually witnessing it with your own eyes.

Dostoyevsky has a unique talent for bringing his characters and settings to life, making his stories a truly immersive experience.

His ability to explore the depths of human nature and the complex emotions that drive us is what makes his work so enduring and relevant.

Whether it's the grandmother's struggle with mortality or the players' obsession with the roulette wheel, Dostoyevsky's stories offer a profound and thought-provoking look at the human condition.

Overall, his short stories are a must-read for anyone interested in great literature and the exploration of the human psyche.
His works continue to inspire and captivate readers around the world to this day.

For yet another time, it is impressive!

With only 160 pages, it touches on the entire theme of gambling and all the evils it causes. You feel the corruption and the powerlessness of the characters as they give in to their passions. Excellent!

For those who haven't read Dostoyevsky, "The Gambler" is a very good choice for a first encounter :)

P.S. Grandma, all the money!

This short review truly captures the essence of the book. The brevity of 160 pages doesn't prevent the author from delving deep into the complex world of gambling and its consequences. The description of the characters' descent into vice is both vivid and disturbing, making the reader feel their pain and frustration. It's a great introduction to Dostoyevsky's works for those who are new to his writing. And the addition of the P.S. about grandma and the money adds a touch of humor and lightness to the review. Overall, it's a well-written and engaging piece that makes me want to pick up "The Gambler" and give it a read.

Laslt I remember that phenomenon. That day when I was nineteen, I was walking in the street of Jamal in my city of Taiz. A kind person called me from the side of the road. He had placed a box on which there were three playing cards. He showed me one of the cards and then mixed it with the others and challenged me to identify it among its sisters. I did that successfully. He asked me to do it again, and I succeeded again. Then he asked me with a cunning trick: Don't you think to bet a little money on this challenge? So I entered into an experience that was the first and last in this field.

Gambling does not depend on a person's stupidity but on his psychological makeup. It is a bad circle: 1-I will try for fun, 2-There is really a win, so let me try again, 3-I will recover what I lost and stop, 4-I will try again and it will be better. This is aside from the high adrenaline and the great excitement generated by the adventure.

In fact, gambling is not limited to roulette halls but extends to all aspects of life. There are those who gamble with their health, those who risk their reputation, and those who risk things worse than that. It is said that if you don't risk anything, you won't win anything, and this depends on a person's philosophy in life. The gambling merchant may achieve wealth that the merchant who buys and sells on a regular basis does not achieve, but the calm merchant ensures his safety to a large extent. Take it from me, not every adventure is a loss. It is said that Ali Abdullah Saleh, the late Yemeni president, was on his way to take the presidency after the assassination of his predecessor who ruled for a very short period. His mother contacted him not to accept it because it would expose him to death, but he replied to her: I would rather be a rooster for a day than a hen for a year! And thus he won the bet for more than 33 years.

It was unfortunate for Dostoyevsky that he engaged in gambling for a period, but it was fortunate for us that we had this wonderful gift. Here is a portrayal of the gambler's self and his madness, his charming partner and his miserable fate. It is true that the novel is shorter than his other novels and that it was written in a hurry and under the pressure of the publisher, but it raised the issue in an interesting way.

The novel begins with a common plot filled with many heavy-shadowed characters. There must be a sick love characterized by humiliation on one side and the past on the other side, and there is no explanation for it. It is a Dostoyevskian plague that makes you despise the personality, pity it, and strike it hard. The situation continues until the Babushka (or the grandmother) enters the scene and turns the tables, draws the curtains, and disrupts everything. The grandmother, with her forgiveness and endless frankness, by accepting everything and getting into everything, changed the mood of the novel and injected into it a significant amount of excitement. The portrayal of the grandmother was vivid as if the reader could almost see her wrinkles and put his fingers in his ears because of the sharpness of her voice. She will surely remind you of that aunt who visits you on holidays and disturbs everyone or your friend's grandmother whom you hug every time you enter their house or - if your luck is very bad - your grandmother whom you have no escape from. That annoying grandmother was fun from the moment she entered the scene until she left, and the same goes for her entry and exit.

At the end of the novel, the events are somewhat mixed and accelerated, perhaps this is due to the circumstances of its writing as I mentioned earlier. One of the interesting parts of the novel is the criticism of the peoples, although it is a bit discriminatory. Dostoyevsky talks about the hypocrisy of the French, the Germans' desire to spend their money, the Russians' depravity, and the English's frugality. I was impressed by the comparison between the Russian and German people in the style of saving and spending. And although I agree that the style of generalization is not correct, but seeing Dostoyevsky pouring scorn on this and that without generalization or imitation is a very enjoyable thing.

Imperial Russia in 1866. Alexander II had just recently abolished serfdom (strongly influenced, some say, by Turgenev's "Notes of a Hunter"), and the realists of Russian literature, Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky, build their novels on the unpretentious shoulders of ordinary people and social marginals. Dostoyevsky sensationally concludes "Crime and Punishment." With poor health, indebted due to his own gambling addiction and having taken on the debts of his deceased brother, Fyodor Mikhailovich enters into a very disadvantageous deal with his overly stingy publisher, as part of which he has to write a novel of no less than 175 pages. Thus appears "The Gambler," because what better irony to free oneself from one's gambling debts than to write about the fatal attraction to gambling?

Once someone asked the American psychologist William James if he believed in free will. "Of course, what other choice do I have?" he replied. A large part of the fragmented dilemmas of people can be reduced to three moral implications - 1) do you distinguish between good and evil, if so, 2) are you able to make the right decision and (the most fragile moment), 3) do you believe in the first two at all. The young and cynical protagonist of Dostoyevsky starts with clear convictions and with a sneer at the weak will of the emaciated but spiritually corrupt class for which he works. Some would say that his painful passion for the haughty Polina and her mocking attitude have thrown him into the abyss. Yes, Alexei does not jump for her in Shlangenberg, but perhaps his soul has flown there somewhere and has not returned. And perhaps when he first enters the casino with the old woman, he was already doomed, he just didn't know it yet. When we look back, it's strange how we still can't say for sure exactly when we stepped into the quicksand.

It always seems to me that in Russian novels there is a light semi-fantastic quality that gives the plot a certain eccentricity. I noticed this upon my first encounter with Russian literature, in "The Master and Margarita," where, of course, this effective element is deliberately emphasized. In "The Gambler," the misunderstandings in the conversations with the mysterious Englishman Astley, the secrets around the life of Polina and the frenzied behavior of the fluttering mademoiselle Blanche create a fairy-tale illusion, as if you are watching a play through a winter window on which there are patterns of frozen flowers. At moments, you clearly see the action and understand the motives of the participants. In most cases, however, the unclear colored spots throw capricious shadows and disappear, leaving you only with a ghostly sense of meaning.

" Dostoyevsky is the only one who taught me something in the field of psychology," Nietzsche said. The characters of Dostoyevsky make distant self-analyses, make speeches or firmly take the last step when they are on the verge. What is that force, that psychological mechanism that makes them do something that they know they will bitterly regret later, but they cannot control themselves? The momentary rush of ecstasy? The feeling of power, of something beyond you and beyond others? You tell yourself that today is the last time, you have quenched your thirst and been intoxicated, you are sure that you are turning away from your attraction, that tomorrow you will not even think about it. Don't be mistaken. Tomorrow it will be the same. Until your blood is poisoned, you are weakened and simply cannot continue. Maybe all roads lead there. And after... after it is possible to see the dawn, who knows. But that will be after.

Epilogue
"The Gambler" may be a novel about the fall, but along with its writing, one of the most beautiful loves in history was born. Since Dostoyevsky had only a month to write it, he hired Anna Grigoryevna Snitkina, who at twenty was already a skilled stenographer. Is there something of her straightness in the image of Polina? Is Alexei a version of Dostoyevsky himself? Where do you end and where does the influence of others on you begin, yes, even on the genius and unwavering minds? But still, do we have any other choice but to believe that free will exists? It is perhaps superfluous to mention that in the face of Anna, Dostoyevsky found his Polina. Again ironically, "The Gambler" turned out to be his most successful bet against "the arrows of wild fate."

# The Story of the Book
One night, Dostoyevsky, a 45-year-old writer, suffers a heavy loss at the poker table and is deeply in debt. To pay off his debts, he has to write this book in a hurry, within just 26 days. This hurried lifestyle and turmoil are evident in the story, and the text is not as polished and solid as one would expect from a great writer like Dostoyevsky. However, this raw text has precious treasures for the reader.

# Personal Experience
In the early days of college, a group of young, inexperienced, and curious people gathered in the dormitory, and we eagerly devoured the experiences that life offered us. Love, alcohol, poker, cigarettes, politics, travel, drugs, books, movies, and many more. One of the dormitory pastimes was poker. We usually regarded it as a moderate and exciting entertainment within our means. But there were some people who got addicted to poker. I remember one of my friends won a lot of money from poker and put it in his pocket. Things got to the point where sometimes he wouldn't go to school for weeks and would play online poker instead. He would sleep during the day and stay up at night, and wouldn't leave the dormitory. While cheap cafeteria food was a great luxury for most students with empty pockets, he would order food from luxury restaurants in Tehran and tip so much that the delivery person would bring the food right to his room. He skipped classes and didn't care about his college degree in Tehran just to play poker. At the beginning of his career, he had money, but a few years ago, I heard that after a while, he lost everything he had and fell into poverty and sadness. Of course, there was another friend who is now studying for a doctorate in the United States and is a semi-professional poker player. Maintaining this balance is difficult but not impossible.
# Poker and Extravagance
There was a term among the kids that they said poker money was cursed. And it was really true. One night, you could win enough to cover a month's expenses, but all that money would be spent in just two days. This easily obtained money lost its value in the eyes of the poker player and was spent on worthless and unnecessary things. Expensive food, excessive tips, unnecessary and luxurious items and pastimes. I remember one of the kids won a lot of money and spent so much on alcohol and entertained so many people that not only did he lose what he had won, but he also lost the money he had in his account before and had to borrow money at night.
# Poker and Love
I believe that love is a kind of poker. But the poker table and a healthy love relationship are also like sports and cigarettes, enemies of each other, and in the end, one will inevitably harm the other. Advancing a healthy relationship while being addicted to poker is a very difficult thing (unless one of the two is just a passing entertainment). The excitement of poker makes a person crazy in love, and the poker player no longer has the patience for the opportunities and sorrows of a relationship and impatiently awaits intense excitement and pleasure. He wants to be either in heaven or in hell, and stability and uniformity are boring for him. The relationship between Alexei and Polina is of this kind. As far as I remember, the relationship between my friends was also like this, either being harmed by poker or by love.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky is remarkable in his description and portrayal of characters. His works allow readers to enter the world of his characters and interact with them, not just the main character but also the secondary ones, each with their own authenticity. Despite often writing under financial pressure and the need to protect his rights in his novels, Dostoyevsky is a genius.

Each time, I wonder what his novels would be like if he had money and could write without pressure. Maybe it's this pressure that has helped him to depict his characters in such a way, with such tension.

"Perhaps wealth was waiting for me! A strange thing: I had not yet won, but I behaved and thought as if I were a rich man, and I could not imagine myself otherwise."

For Dostoyevsky, gambling was not just a subject he knew or heard about. He experienced it in all its details, winning and losing, gambling with all he had. This real experience enabled him to vividly depict a character, from the depths of their being, with all their details, emotions, fears, and tensions.

Dostoyevsky not only presents the gambler through the protagonist but also describes the characters present in the gambling casino. The best part was his portrayal of the old woman, which was one of the best parts of the novel. It reversed many things and at the same time had a comical side due to the reactions and actions of others because of her appearance and behavior.

As for the theme of love in the novel, it is clear that Dostoyevsky likes to torture his heroes with love (to emphasize the sentence: love is a torment). I liked his portrayal of the character of Ksyusha Ivanovna, and her love story with Pauline Alexandrovna amused me to the point that I wanted to hit her.

"Do I know what I desire? I am like one who has lost his way. All I want is to stay close to her, in the state that surrounds her, in the radiance that emanates from her, forever, for the rest of my life. I know no more than this... Can I leave her?"

I'm not a fan of a particular author or a favorite book, but I like Dostoyevsky and his portrayal of characters, and his style is truly unique. The novel pleased me, although the ending was a bit complicated or I felt it needed more time. But in the end, it's Dostoyevsky, and he writes what he wants, with his love and his passion