40 pages • 1 hour read
The Gambler
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Book Brief
188
Novel • Fiction
Roulettenburg, Germany • 1860s
1866
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel The Gambler, Alexey Ivanovich returns to Roulettenburg, working as a tutor for a Russian aristocratic family. Alexey falls for Polina, the general’s stepdaughter, but his love is thwarted by his lack of wealth and the ruinous gambling of the general’s aunt. Attempts to win Polina over with gambling gains fail as she leaves for Mr. Astley, while Alexey descends into gambling addiction. The novel depicts addiction to gambling.
Mysterious
Unnerving
Dark
Bittersweet
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
99,257 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoevsky is widely acclaimed for its incisive exploration of addiction and human psychology. Reviewers praise the compelling characterization and intense narrative. Criticisms often focus on the uneven pacing and dense prose. Despite these flaws, the novel remains a powerful study of human failures and obsessions.
Who Should Read The Gambler?
A reader who would enjoy The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoevsky is likely intrigued by psychological drama, character studies, and the themes of obsession and self-destruction. Fans of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment or Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina may find this novel similarly compelling for its intense exploration of the human condition.
99,257 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Polina Alexandrovna
Polina Alexandrovna
Polina is an independent and assertive young woman who attracts Alexey's affections with her defiant and humorous personality. She navigates her relationships with Alexey and other characters while seeking to be seen as an equal rather than a conventional love interest.
The General
The General
The General is the head of the family group that includes Alexey, but he experiences a decline due to his obsessive pursuit of Mlle Blanche and the uncertainty surrounding an inheritance. His interactions and plans are deeply affected by Grandmother's actions at the roulette table.
188
Novel • Fiction
Roulettenburg, Germany • 1860s
1866
Adult
18+ years
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