The Gambler is a novel written by Fyodor Dostoyevsky that tells the story of a young tutor named Alexei Ivanovich who becomes addicted to gambling. The novel is set in Germany and revolves around the lives of a group of people who are staying at a fictional casino town. Alexei is in love with Polina, who is the stepdaughter of the General who employs him. Despite his love for Polina, Alexei finds himself drawn into the world of gambling and becomes...
Fyodor Dostoyevsky's successful first book, Poor Folk, came out 175 years ago today when the author was only 24 years old. But in a life beset by drama worthy of, say, a Russian novel, it would be many years before he produced a notable follow-up. Here we explore the literary giant’s best books and how they mirror his extraordinary life.