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The Gambler  By  cover art

The Gambler

By: Fyodor Dostoevsky
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
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Publisher's 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.

Critic reviews

“Dostoevsky gives me more than any scientist.” (Albert Einstein)

What listeners say about The Gambler

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    4 out of 5 stars

Gravity of odds and the frailty of human hope

This is a crushing novel. It is one of those classic stories where the narrator is crushed by the weight of his desire, by the gravity of odds, and by the frailty of human hope. Within Dostoevsky's short novel there exists an almost existential subtext, an underlying risk of ruin; where the longer you live, the greater your chance of losing everything. Dostoevsky leaves the reader with small wins, decent runs, and hopeful conceits that tempt the reader to believe that one might walk away from life with love, fulfilment, and yes plenty of lucre ... but alas time, the vig, and death (that croupier bitch) all weedle your last gulden and mortgage your soul's last breath.

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22 people found this helpful

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Another great novel og Dostojevskj

Why does Audible not give the name of the translator? This important information should not be omitted.

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5 people found this helpful

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Good story

Pretty entertaining, not being too long is a plus. There's a bit in French in conversations so make sure you're cool with not understanding every word if you don't speak French, for the most part you get the idea from the context.

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3 people found this helpful

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A master psychiatrist this Fyodor

A masterful dissection of the personality of the gambler, the Russian in the eyes of a French and English in the eyes of a Russian.
I learned more from this man than I learned from some of the best teachers and professors of psychiatry in the 20th and 21st century.
To understand gambling from within, every psychiatrist should read this book.

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2 people found this helpful

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What a narrator!

This is probably the best narration that I have heard from any audiobook. Simon Prebble’s ability to seamlessly transition between languages and accents. I was astounded! Bravo!
Also the story is fantastic.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Simon prebble gives great performance

Simon prebble gives great performance of the gambler
He voices all characters so well I will listen again

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cool insights about gambling

I liked this book but did the mistake of reading it after the amazing Crime and Punishment narrated by Anthony Heald. It was fascinating to go into the mind of a gambler and what it does to one's personality and life.

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1 person found this helpful

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Great book

An excellent reading of an important and memorable work of Russian literature. Very highly recommended.

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OK 10 stars

Excellent, couldn’t have been done better! Brings the characters to a life intended by Dostoyevsky.

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Great story and performance!

Excellent place to start with Dostoevsky, and the reader is magnificent- well worth the listen.

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