The Gambler
by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
In this gloomy and convincing short novel, Fyodor Dostoevsky tells the story of Alexei Ivanovich, a young teacher working in the home of a formidable Russian general. Alexey tries to break through the wall of the established order in Russia, but instead gets bogged down in an endless spiral of bets and losses. His strong and inevitable attachment is underscored by General Pauline's romance with his ruthless but seductive niece. In "The Gambler," Dostoevsky reaches the heights of drama with this striking psychological portrait.
