Dostoevsky
was pressured to write this novel in 1866 (with a deadline of
November, only to begin writing the tale in October) under threat of
heavy financial penalties from his publisher. One can confidently
assume, that his publisher had fronted the author money, and without
any product from the writer, imposed the deadline. The novel was
written in 26 days. The deadline was met, and without doubt, the work
stands up against his best work, including Crime and Punishment,
The Idiot or The Brothers Karamazov.
Many critics have suggested that the novel is not
autobiographical. Personally, I find this proposal ridiculous on many
levels. All works of great fiction have a quasi-relation to the
writer's life. As a writer of fiction myself, there is always
included observations, individual anecdotes, experiences and pure
creative imagination, that make up the work. In fact, the author was
known as a prolific gambler, amongst other addictions, but threw the
obsession after about 20 years. Writing a short story about a sexual
killer, doesn't make the author a sex obsessed murderer. Writing
about a sorcerer, doesn't make the creator an occult practitioner. As
many writers have stated, the creative endeavour in story telling, is
a mysterious process. Anyone, however, who has experienced the
massive kick of endorphins while at the Black Jack table or Roulette
wheel, will relate to The Gambler.
Alexei Ivanovich is the narrator of the novel – the
subtitle of the text is, 'From the Diary of a Young Man”. In the
translated 19th century style, the book reads like a
diary. Alexei is a tutor for a seemingly well-to-do Russian family,
while on holiday at a German Spa. Similar to all Dostoevsky's novels,
there is a large cast of characters, all from varying countries and
cultures. All the characters have a hint of mystery, a cloud of
secrets and intrigue, that hovers over the plot, pushing the reader
to discover how the puzzle all fits together.
Reading Dostoevsky over the last 40 years, the writer
vividly paints the aristocratic, intellectual and social construct of
19th century Europe – from a Russian perspective. He
writes in somewhat stereotypes: French arrogance and charm; German
staid persona and focus on rules; English observance and business
acumen, and Russian - a cacophony of all the above. One needs to
remember that in 19th century Europe, everyone has their
particular station, everyone has their place in the social hierarchy,
and no one questioned the reason why. It was not until I read
Dostoevsky's Notes from the Underground, that my love for this
author came to a conscious reality - a true rebel, thinker and
intellectual revolutionary.
Close to the end of the novel, Alexei realises he can
do something about his wannabe lover's financial predicament, and
returns to the casino, and begins betting on the Roulette Wheel. The
3 pages describing his thoughts about the game, his mindset and the
outcome, will make any casual gambler's blood pressure rise. The
Russian writer's words rival any modern film about gambling. A
“moralist” writer, (a 19th century criticism of
Dostoevsky) becomes clear at the end of the story.
I have never stated that any 19th century
novel read, was a “page turner”.
The Gambler is one such novel.
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