Publisher's Synopsis
The Gambler is a novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky that tells the story of Alexei Ivanovich, a young tutor working for a wealthy Russian family in the 19th century. Despite his meager salary, Alexei becomes addicted to gambling and begins to lose large sums of money. As his debts pile up, he becomes increasingly desperate and resorts to borrowing money from his employer, the General, and even from a wealthy Frenchwoman named Madame de Ferrol. As the novel progresses, Alexei's gambling addiction leads him down a dangerous path, causing him to become estranged from his family and friends, and ultimately leading to his downfall. Along the way, he meets a variety of colorful characters, including a fellow gambler named Polina, who becomes the object of his affection, and her stepfather, the Marquis, who is also a gambler and a con artist.The Gambler is a powerful exploration of the destructive nature of addiction and the human desire for wealth and power. It is also a commentary on the social and economic conditions of 19th century Russia, where gambling was a popular pastime among the upper classes. With its vivid characters, gripping plot, and insightful social commentary, The Gambler is a classic work of Russian literature that continues to captivate readers today.This is the one that Dostoevsky had to dictate in record time to avoid a return to prison for debt. Worth a look.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
