The Gambler And Other Stories - the Novels of Fyodor Dostoevsky Volume 9

A reread of one of Dostoevsky's best works never disappoints. The first time I came across this book my attention was completely devoted to Alexei Ivanovich's (a tutor at the disposal of a retired general) addiction to gambling and his lack of self-control. This time around, I found more interest in the relationship dynamics within this piece, which were dysfunctional, to say the least.

The first dysfunctional relationship dynamic introduced—and in my opinion, the most significant—is that of Alexei and Polina (the general's stepdaughter). Polina sets Alexei to run her errands and perform nonsensical acts that render Alexei a fool and somewhat of a clown. Alexei does all her bidding and is madly eager to please her and is completely pliant to her will.

Alexei's obsession with Polina is tantamount to his obsession with gambling. Both fixations are entirely illogical and neither subject of his fixation act in a consistent manner.

In gambling, he wins incredible sums and yet loses incredible sums. In his relationship with Polina, he receives moments of immense (delirium-driven) passion and yet is thought of as less than a slave at best. Alexei is driven and possessed completely by his infatuation with gambling, his infatuation with Polina, and of course—his complete lack of self-control.

Going back to the main theme (gambling):
One of the things, that to me, really emphasised the lack of sense in Alexei's infatuations and fixations was the lack of system when it came to gambling. Almost all gamblers are known to devise their own systems to adhere to meaning and apply sense to their gambling. At the very least a gambler will show a set of superstitions that he will follow... Alexei shows none of this, he is merely the hollow embodiment of the need to gamble and nothing more.

What I find most amusing about Alexei's systemless, nonsensical gambling is that Dostoevsky—a known gambler himself—most definitely did not forget to add in this detail. Dostoevsky even hints at other gamblers' systems and calculations during each game of roulette. The most that is described of Alexei's "system," however, is Alexei's mention of the frequency of some of the numbers that come up. He does not pay too much attention to this and does not make a real system out of it either.

The other stories in this edition of the gambler were ones that I had not read before. Those stories being "Poor People" and "The Landlady."

I found "Poor People" rather interesting in terms of its layout. The back and forth between Varvara and Makar through letters describing their pitiful financial state were very well executed and invoked real emotion towards these characters. The fatherly affection and devotion of Makar were written beautifully and felt very real in all senses.

"The Landlady," on the other hand, was really not for me and felt a tad tedious to read at bits. I would retract a star from the reading due to this story but I am too fond of the first two stories to do so.

To finalise this immensely long (and yet not exhaustive) review: 5/5 A definite recommend, I am also very glad I chose to reread this edition of the book instead.