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The Gambler

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The Gambler

By: Fyodor Dostoevsky
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
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About this listen

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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Difficult at times to completely understand, but well worth your time as it is a classic book.

For its time it was an enjoyable listen.

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I just loved it ! It really shows the life of a gambler as bad as it is ...

Tremendous book

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really enjoyed this stark tale atmospheric, well read short story, will definitely be listening to more

stunning story well read, loved this raw tale

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An amazing novel, where the characters are very well described. Also the narrator is exquisite, made the whole story amazing!

Masterpiece

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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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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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I found this story to be entertaining and interesting, although not quite as much depth as some of his other books. Well worth reading though, and gives an interesting and thought provoking portrait of “the gambler”

Enjoyable and interesting

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On one level the story is too clever for its own good. The narrator is somewhat ambiguous as is the rhetoric and realities of the characters, mmm..,

It was not an alien world it could be adapted for our century

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Simon Prebble has a voice I could listen to for hours, gives the different characters their own voice and personality beautifully. He did the job of a whole cast single handed. Bravo! I don’t really think I need to comment about the actual story of The Gambler, even if you read it years ago, you will not be disappointed with this reading. A great story brought to life.

Totally gripping performance!

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An amazing insight into the mind of people who are addicted. The description of the French gentleman is sublime!

Amazing !

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