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The Gambler

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The Gambler

By: Fyodor Dostoevsky
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
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Art imitates life in this brilliant psychological study of a compulsive gambler, modeled on Dostoevsky's own tendencies. Like so many characters in Dostoevsky's novels, Alexei, a young tutor working in the household of an imperious Russian general, is trying to break through the wall of the established order and the human condition itself, but instead he is drawn into the vortex of the roulette wheel. His intense addiction is accentuated by his affair with the general's cruel, seductive niece.

With unforgettable characterizations, this novel explores the emotional roller coaster, changing fortunes, tangled love affairs, and complicated lives of the fashionable German gambling set. It is also a stunning psychological portrait.

(P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Psychological Russia
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Critic reviews

“Narrator Simon Prebble makes this tightly constructed Dostoevsky classic his own…Prebble’s performance is supremely well balanced, both sonically and emotionally, and he is a master at catching nuance, inflection, and emphasis on the page and giving them voice.”

(AudioFile)

“Brilliantly captures the strangely powerful compulsion to bet that Dostoevsky, himself a compulsive gambler, knew so well…unforgettable.”

(Amazon.com, editorial review)

“This classic novel is superbly narrated by Simon Prebble in an exceptional performance that includes voices of Frenchmen, Russians, British and Germans—characters young and old, rich and poor, male and female, desperate and content—all created with authenticity and appropriate emotion.”

(SoundCommentary.com (starred review))

“For Dostoevsky, it is not the finished man, sculpted by the hand of destiny, who embodies the highest human truth, but the unfinished man, who remains open to what can only ever be freely and unexpectedly given.”

(Richard Peaver, poet and translator)
All stars
Most relevant
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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Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend this book to a friend, the literature of the gaming table is fertile ground for sustaining suspense. The story moves along at a fair click. No doubt helped by the fact the Dostoevsky was writing under under a very strict deadline.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The most interesting is the glimpse given of European Casino life in the 19th century which features fleetingly in other works of the era (I'm thinking of Vanity Fair).The least interesting aspect is the complete lack of likeable characters. I don't know whether or not Dostoevsky deliberately made it so, as this is my first foray into his dark world, but its hard work when you don't really care about any of the characters.

Which character – as performed by Simon Prebble – was your favourite?

The General, around which the other characters orbit and nicely centres the story. In fact he's the only one I had any sympathy for and by the end I was hoping he would triumph.

Was The Gambler worth the listening time?

Yes and you can get the book free as well.

Any additional comments?

Simon Prebble does an excellent job, although maybe the Duchess could have been toned down a little (she sounded like Lady Bracknell!)

Bad Hombre at Bad Homburg

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Would you consider the audio edition of The Gambler to be better than the print version?

A Fabulous Listen

What about Simon Prebble’s performance did you like?

superb

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The story is compelling and he is not a great novelist for nothing.

Any additional comments?

Thoroughly enjoyable and strongly recommend

Fantastically narrated

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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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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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