Poor Folk and the Gambler

By Fyodor Dostoevsky and Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Book Overview

Poor Folk and The Gambler is a book by the renowned Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. It is a collection of two novellas, Poor Folk and The Gambler, that explore the themes of poverty, love, and addiction. Poor Folk is a story about a young woman named Makar Devushkin who lives in poverty in St. Petersburg. She corresponds with a friend, Varvara Dobroselova, through letters and the two develop a close bond. Despite their financial struggles, they find solace in their friendship and the hope for a better future. The Gambler, on the other hand, tells the story of Alexei Ivanovich, a tutor who becomes addicted to gambling while staying with a wealthy family in Germany. He falls in love with Polina, the stepdaughter of his employer, and becomes embroiled in her family's financial troubles. The novella explores the destructive nature of gambling and the consequences of addiction. Both novellas are written with Dostoevsky's signature style, which is characterized by psychological depth and philosophical musings. The book is a testament to Dostoevsky's ability to capture the human experience and provide insight into the complexities of the human psyche.1915. Two works from Dostoevsky, Russian novelist, who is considered one of the most outstanding and influential writers of modern literature. Poor Folk, written in epistolary form is his first novel. From the Introduction: These two examples of Dostoevsky�������s art are sketches set in widely differing frames. The one concerns a gambler who frequents the fashionable spas and casinos of Germany; the other consists of a series of love-letters exchanged between two poor folk whose lives are spent amid the slums of St. Petersburg. Yet there is this in common between the two sketches-that each of them ends on a note of hinted tragedy. Both the gambler and the pair of sorrowful lovers ask as the curtain falls: Is there any hope for us. Sometimes it is said of Dostoevsky that he could not see the comedy of life as well as he could the tragedy; yet humor abounds in these two works, even as it does in sundry others by the same author. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1417904615
• ISBN13: 9781417904617
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing
• Length: 316 Pages
• Weight: 1.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

An Astonishing Masterpiece

I've read this book three times and enjoyed it more each time. I believe you MUST read it more than once just to digest the myriad of subplots and the larger-than-life characters that permeate this novel. At the risk of sounding elitist, this book is not for everyone. "Light" reading it is not. Dostoevsky peers into the psyche of his characters by placing each in the most excruciating context. Who can ever forget Marmeladov or Svidrigailov? Or, Raskolnikov's dream about the beating of a horse and Svidrigailov's guilt-driven dream about a small child? Dostoevsky unflinchingly examines our oftentimes contradictory human nature; a nature that can be chilling, cruel, and at times depraved. But for Dostoevsky, it is suffering that is necessary for clarity, and ultimately, redemption. Even if you do not agree with Dostoevsky's notion of the human condition--it's a tough sell in our modern age--the book is unquestionably the work of a literary genius.

One of my favorite books so far

I can definately see why this book is a classic. Dostoyevesky writes with such intelligence and skill. It is as if you are viewing a murder from the mind of the murderer. It is a page turner. For anyone who HAD to read it when you were younger, please read it again for fun. It so interesting to read. This traslation comes with some helpful tips and is a very convenient size. I highly recommend this book, as well as this version.

A Hard Read

This book is excellent but readers should take the time to read the Translator's Preface before jumping in. This will help to understand the names of the characters and other nuances that apply to a book translated from another language. The book is about redemption. It's worth the effort to get through it. I woud not have understood or appreciated the book in my youth.

The Gambler is Dostoevsky's most under-rated work.

Dostoevsky's "The Gambler" is a profound look at gambling as an addiction. The characterization is extremely good, and the topic is very timely, considering the explosion in the number of gambling establishments in the United States in recent years. This should be on the reading list for all pychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and others who have an interest in addictive behavior, and for anyone who lives with a compulsive gambler. Reading this book helped me to understand and kick my own addiction to gambling.