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Stephen's Reviews > The Gambler
The Gambler
by
4.0 stars. Fyodor Dostoevsky is a phenomenal writer and an icon of Russian literature. In this story, he has once again written a novel comprised of superb prose, unique characters and some very insightful comments about the human condition. For that, this novel deserves nothing less than 4 stars.
HOWEVER, as a native of Las Vegas who has just recently been given the opportunity to read this book after the lifting of the 100 year ban imposed by the State of Nevada on public dissemination of this book, I must say that I agree with the Nevada founding fathers that some of the conclusions that Dostoevsky draws about the 鈥渟in鈥� of gambling ARE JUST PLAIN WRONG. Hopefully, this review will present a more unbiased opinion of the 鈥渁lternative鈥� investment vehicle and time honored source of happiness and pleasure that is the sport of gambling.
The book starts off great. Dostoevsky introduces us to the main character of his short novel, Alexei Ivanovich, and describes him as an intelligent tutor who is working for a Russian family whose patriarch is known as The General. Through his attraction to Polina, a member of The General鈥檚 family, Alexei finds himself introduced to the game of roulette when he is asked by Polina to place a wager for her at the local casino. While placing the wager for Polina, Alexei discovers the 鈥渘arcotic bliss鈥� that comes with engaging in the sport of gambling. So far鈥o good.
Alexei becomes involved in an extremely unhealthy relationship with Polina in which she is constantly berating him and compelling to take inappropriate actions. For example, she entices him to get into a verbal altercation with a Baron and Baroness which ends up having long ranging consequences for many of the characters in the story. In order to deal with the many struggles that Alexei finds himself going through, he eventually finds solace in the joys of wagering at the roulette wheel. Again, so far, so good. Gambling can be a great escape from life鈥檚 little troubles.
However, this is where Dostoevsky, in my opinion and the opinion of casino executives around the world, really departs from reality. He portrays Alexei鈥檚 gambling as being a negative influence on the rest of his life. Alexei stops reading and keeping track of current events and becomes single-minded in his pursuit of winning at the roulette table. In other professional sports, this would be called COMMITMENT, but Dostoevsky implies that Alexei is obsessed.
Now, it IS true that Alexei鈥檚 gambling eventually leads to his loss of all his money and social standing in the community and this turn of events is highlighted by Mr. Dostoevsky as proof of the wrongness of gambling. What the author fails to focus on is that Alexei is clear that he never felt as alive in his life as when he was at the roulette wheel and had an ABSOLUTE BLAST until his money ran out. I would say as a form of entertainment, Alexei got plenty of bang for his many bucks. Still, all Dostoevsky wanted to focus on was the pain that followed Alexei loss of money and his inability to find an alternative means of making a living.
Now, to each their own. However, from where I am standing gambling has been very good to the city of Las Vegas and I don鈥檛 like seeing its reputation dragged through the mud based on spurious information. Therefore, I would like to finish this review by providing you with the following and ask only that you consider it with an open mind.
TOP TEN MYTHS ABOUT GAMBLING***
***As compiled by the Las Vegas Casino Executive Bonus and Stock Option Institute
1. Gambling destroys families.
Truth: Gambling can bring a family together like nothing else.
2. Gambling can be an unhealthy and dangerous addiction.
Truth: As the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce has made clear, only when someone LOSES at gambling, is it considered a problem.
3. Gambling can lead to drug addiction.
Truth: Shooting smack, snorting cocaine and smoking crack and/or meth are illegal in OVER 80% of Las Vegas casinos (unless you are a CELEBRITY or a REALLY HIGH ROLLER from overseas); thus you are actually prevented from taking drugs while engaged in gambling.
4. Gambling can cost you friends and lead to loneliness.
Truth: PLEASE鈥o these people look lonely?
5. Gambling costs you money.
Truth: Gambling has made many people, LOTS and LOTS of money.
6. Gambling can make you very unhappy and lead to depression.
Truth: REEEAALLLLYYYYYY!!
7. Gambling can make you forget who you are a become a different person.
Truth: Is that such a bad thing is some cases?
8. Gambling is for losers.
Truth: Gambling is for PLAYAS.
9. Gambling can take over your life.
Truth: As this visual evidence clearly demonstrates, this woman is going to stop gambling for more than an hour to attend her own wedding...from where I am sitting, it doesn鈥檛 look like she is letting gambling stop her from living her life.
10. Gambling is done in an unhealthy environment.
Truth: Casinos take their patrons鈥� health and safety VERY seriously.
**REWARD CLUB BONUS**
In our effort to continue to give you value for your $$, here is a bonus 11th Myth because Vegas is famous for handing out free stuff...
11. You can't make a career out of being a Gambler.
Truth: Oodles of gold records, a chain of chicken restaurants and a pack of TV movies (despite no acting ability) begs to differ with you.
by
Stephen's review
bookshelves: ebooks, classics, audiobook, literature, 1800s, classics-asian
Apr 19, 2010
bookshelves: ebooks, classics, audiobook, literature, 1800s, classics-asian
4.0 stars. Fyodor Dostoevsky is a phenomenal writer and an icon of Russian literature. In this story, he has once again written a novel comprised of superb prose, unique characters and some very insightful comments about the human condition. For that, this novel deserves nothing less than 4 stars.
HOWEVER, as a native of Las Vegas who has just recently been given the opportunity to read this book after the lifting of the 100 year ban imposed by the State of Nevada on public dissemination of this book, I must say that I agree with the Nevada founding fathers that some of the conclusions that Dostoevsky draws about the 鈥渟in鈥� of gambling ARE JUST PLAIN WRONG. Hopefully, this review will present a more unbiased opinion of the 鈥渁lternative鈥� investment vehicle and time honored source of happiness and pleasure that is the sport of gambling.
The book starts off great. Dostoevsky introduces us to the main character of his short novel, Alexei Ivanovich, and describes him as an intelligent tutor who is working for a Russian family whose patriarch is known as The General. Through his attraction to Polina, a member of The General鈥檚 family, Alexei finds himself introduced to the game of roulette when he is asked by Polina to place a wager for her at the local casino. While placing the wager for Polina, Alexei discovers the 鈥渘arcotic bliss鈥� that comes with engaging in the sport of gambling. So far鈥o good.
Alexei becomes involved in an extremely unhealthy relationship with Polina in which she is constantly berating him and compelling to take inappropriate actions. For example, she entices him to get into a verbal altercation with a Baron and Baroness which ends up having long ranging consequences for many of the characters in the story. In order to deal with the many struggles that Alexei finds himself going through, he eventually finds solace in the joys of wagering at the roulette wheel. Again, so far, so good. Gambling can be a great escape from life鈥檚 little troubles.
However, this is where Dostoevsky, in my opinion and the opinion of casino executives around the world, really departs from reality. He portrays Alexei鈥檚 gambling as being a negative influence on the rest of his life. Alexei stops reading and keeping track of current events and becomes single-minded in his pursuit of winning at the roulette table. In other professional sports, this would be called COMMITMENT, but Dostoevsky implies that Alexei is obsessed.
Now, it IS true that Alexei鈥檚 gambling eventually leads to his loss of all his money and social standing in the community and this turn of events is highlighted by Mr. Dostoevsky as proof of the wrongness of gambling. What the author fails to focus on is that Alexei is clear that he never felt as alive in his life as when he was at the roulette wheel and had an ABSOLUTE BLAST until his money ran out. I would say as a form of entertainment, Alexei got plenty of bang for his many bucks. Still, all Dostoevsky wanted to focus on was the pain that followed Alexei loss of money and his inability to find an alternative means of making a living.
Now, to each their own. However, from where I am standing gambling has been very good to the city of Las Vegas and I don鈥檛 like seeing its reputation dragged through the mud based on spurious information. Therefore, I would like to finish this review by providing you with the following and ask only that you consider it with an open mind.
TOP TEN MYTHS ABOUT GAMBLING***
***As compiled by the Las Vegas Casino Executive Bonus and Stock Option Institute
1. Gambling destroys families.
Truth: Gambling can bring a family together like nothing else.
2. Gambling can be an unhealthy and dangerous addiction.
Truth: As the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce has made clear, only when someone LOSES at gambling, is it considered a problem.
3. Gambling can lead to drug addiction.
Truth: Shooting smack, snorting cocaine and smoking crack and/or meth are illegal in OVER 80% of Las Vegas casinos (unless you are a CELEBRITY or a REALLY HIGH ROLLER from overseas); thus you are actually prevented from taking drugs while engaged in gambling.
4. Gambling can cost you friends and lead to loneliness.
Truth: PLEASE鈥o these people look lonely?
5. Gambling costs you money.
Truth: Gambling has made many people, LOTS and LOTS of money.
6. Gambling can make you very unhappy and lead to depression.
Truth: REEEAALLLLYYYYYY!!
7. Gambling can make you forget who you are a become a different person.
Truth: Is that such a bad thing is some cases?
8. Gambling is for losers.
Truth: Gambling is for PLAYAS.
9. Gambling can take over your life.
Truth: As this visual evidence clearly demonstrates, this woman is going to stop gambling for more than an hour to attend her own wedding...from where I am sitting, it doesn鈥檛 look like she is letting gambling stop her from living her life.
10. Gambling is done in an unhealthy environment.
Truth: Casinos take their patrons鈥� health and safety VERY seriously.
**REWARD CLUB BONUS**
In our effort to continue to give you value for your $$, here is a bonus 11th Myth because Vegas is famous for handing out free stuff...
11. You can't make a career out of being a Gambler.
Truth: Oodles of gold records, a chain of chicken restaurants and a pack of TV movies (despite no acting ability) begs to differ with you.
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Reading Progress
April 19, 2010
– Shelved
March 17, 2011
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March 18, 2011
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by
Dan
(new)
Jun 16, 2011 04:18AM
You need to work a picture of Kenny Rogers as The Gambler into this review somehow.
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Dan wrote: "You need to work a picture of Kenny Rogers as The Gambler into this review somehow."Oh, that is a good idea. I will noodle on it.
You've got to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em, Stephen.
Know when to walk away, know when to run...
I particularly like your Top Ten myths:-)
Perhaps English speaking readers did not notice that via main hero (Alexei), Dostoevsky, on the sidelines of this piece, is comparing widely domestically (that is within Russia itself) stereotyped Russian character, which Dostoevsky shared and eagerly supported, - its spirituality, wholesomeness, lack of calculation, impulsiveness, kindness, compassion - versus a Western European character (such as, for example, Mademoiselle Blanche), showing it very negatively: as being manipulative, calculative, spiritually empty (with lack of both soul and compassion) and hypocritical.Russian intelligentsia typically claims that their culture is spiritually and intellectually deep while the Western culture is considered by Russians to be shallow (existing just on the surface without going into the soul, just on the border line of only knowing how to behave in a polite pleasant to others manner ).
Dostoevsky considered himself to be a such, above described Russian character - he indeed was a gambler (among other things such as being an antisemite).
PS I personally do not agree with above characterization of the Russian character. However this is widely accepted opinion among Russian intelligentsia.
Here is what talented Russian Poet 肖褢写芯褉 孝褞褌褔械胁 wrote with re to the literary image of the "mysterious Russian soul":
校屑芯屑 袪芯褋褋懈褞 薪械 锌芯薪褟褌褜,
袗褉褕懈薪芯屑 芯斜褖懈屑 薪械 懈蟹屑械褉懈褌褜:
校 薪械泄 芯褋芯斜械薪薪邪褟 褋褌邪褌褜 鈥�
袙 袪芯褋褋懈褞 屑芯卸薪芯 褌芯谢褜泻芯 胁械褉懈褌褜.
Here are 3 versions of its English translation (not mine)
1
Don't try to get it with your mind,
Don't try to fit in your dimension:
There is no Russia of your kind -
Here your belief is only worth to mention.
2
Don't cover Russia with your mind,
Don't use your norms for understanding:
It has its outstanding kind -
You must believe without fading.
3
Russia is a thing of which
The intellect cannot conceive.
Hers is no common yardstick.
You measure her uniquely: In Russia you could only believe!
Another famous Russian Poet - 袗谢械泻褋邪薪写褉 袘谢芯泻 wrote (talking on behalf of Russia to the West):
袧邪褋 - 褌褜屑褘, 懈 褌褜屑褘, 懈 褌褜屑褘.
袩芯锌褉芯斜褍泄褌械, 褋褉邪蟹懈褌械褋褜 褋 薪邪屑懈!
袛邪, 褋泻懈褎褘 - 屑褘! 袛邪, 邪蟹懈邪褌褘 - 屑褘,
小 褉邪褋泻芯褋褘屑懈 懈 卸邪写薪褘屑懈 芯褔邪屑懈!
袛谢褟 胁邪褋 - 胁械泻邪, 写谢褟 薪邪褋 - 械写懈薪褘泄 褔邪褋.
....
Here is the English translation for it (not mine either)
The Scythians by Alexander Blok (from The Twelve and Other Poems)
You have your millions. We are numberless, numberless, numberless.
Try doing battle with us! Yes, we are Scythians!
Yes,we are Asiatics, with greedy eyes slanting!
For you, the centuries; for us, one hour.
We, like obedient lackeys, have held up
a shield dividing two embattled powers
the Mongol hordes and Europe!
For centuries your furnaces have bellowed
and drowned the avalanches thunder.
And a strange tale it seemed to you the loud
collapse of Lisbon and Messina!
The West for centuries has looked our way,
absorbed our pearls into its profits.
Derisively you waited for the day
when you could hold us in your cannon sights.
Now the day dawns. Disaster spreads its wings,
and insults gather to a head.
The day may follow whose sun rising brings
no shadow where your Paestums stood.
Old world, before your ancient splendor sinks
all-wise one, suffering sweet torment
Like Oedipus before the riddling Sphinx
pause and consider for a moment.
Russia is a Sphinx. Grieving, jubilant,
and covering herself with blood
she looks, she looks, she looks at you with her slant
eyes lit with hatred and with love.
Yes love, For centuries you have not known
such love as sets our hot blood churning.
You have forgotten that the world has shown
love can devastate with its burning!
All things we love the mystic is divine gift,
the fever of cold calculus;
all we appreciate the Frenchman's shaft
of wit, the German's genius
and we remember all things hellhole streets
of Paris, coll Venetian stone,
lemon groves far off, fragrant in the heat,
and smoky pinnacles of Cologne
We love the flesh, its color and its taste,
its suffocating mortal odor
Are we to blame if your rib-cages burst
beneath our paws impulsive ardor?
We have grown accustomed seizing mane
and halter, wrestling with a rope
to breaking in wild horses to the rein,
and taming slave-girls to our grip.
Come to us from your battlefield nightmares
into our peaceful arms! While there is
still time, hammer your swords into plowshares,
friends, comrades! We shall be brothers!
If you do not, we have nothing to lose.
Our faith, too, can be broken.
You will be cursed for centuries, centuries,
by your descendants sickly children!
We shall take to the wilds and the mountain
woods, letting beautiful Europe through,
and as we move into the wings shall turn
an asiatic mask to you.
March all together, march to the Urals!
We clear the ground for when the armored
juggernauts with murder in their sights
meet the charge of the mongol horde.
We shall ourselves no longer be your shield,
no longer launch our battle-cries;
but study the convulsive battlefield
from far off through our narrow eyes!
We shall not stir when the murderous Huns
pillage the dead, town turns to ash,
in country churches stable their squadrons,
and foul the air with roasting flesh.
Now, for the last time, see the light, old world!
To peace and brotherhood and labor our bright feast for the last time you are called
Dan wrote: "You need to work a picture of Kenny Rogers as The Gambler into this review somehow."Bonus #11 added just for you.
Stephen wrote: "Dan wrote: "You need to work a picture of Kenny Rogers as The Gambler into this review somehow."Bonus #11 added just for you."
Awesome.
Never count your money when you're sitting at the table. There will be time enough for counting when the dealings done....
To the posters of The Gambler lyrics...
I hope you're happy. I needed that earworm like a sh!tty hand of cards.
I hope you're happy. I needed that earworm like a sh!tty hand of cards.
Karla (Mossy Love Grotto) wrote: "To the posters of The Gambler lyrics...I hope you're happy. I needed that earworm like a sh!tty hand of cards."
Karla (Mossy Love Grotto) wrote: "To the posters of The Gambler lyrics...I hope you're happy. I needed that earworm like a sh!tty hand of cards."
For a taste of your whiskey, I'll give you some advice...
Another example of the fatal impact of the Russian style gambling is shown in Pushkin's "The Dame of Spades" (Tchaikovsky wrote beautiful opera on this with the same title)
Alex wrote: "Another example of the fatal impact of the Russian style gambling is shown in Pushkin's "The Dame of Spades" (Tchaikovsky wrote beautiful opera on this with the same title)"Thanks, Alex. That sounds very interesting. By the way, I really like the translation of the poem above. I am not sure if it is indicative of a lot of Russian poetry but it seems to have a very raw, very emotional edge to it. I like that.
It's hard to say what I liked best about this review...the review, or the comments.
Richard wrote: "It's hard to say what I liked best about this review...the review, or the comments."The review. :)
......
...OH of COURSE the review, the review all the way! Silly me, still a little ill and a little confused from all the sleeping, ha ha, my goodness how could I be so mistaken?
*hee* :-P~~~
No worries, it's probably the fumes from the clown-proof paint that you are using on your secret, "I will let my friends get cut up into party favors" panic room that is making you woozy. Need to lie down for a minute now...massive blood loss you know.
But Stephen! You're a Manly Man! You can stand up to Evil Clowns, and I would never *dream* of insulting your masculinity by implying you'd need the safety and clownlessness of the bunker.
It shocks me to see how you interpret the content of this book and how you transform your review into a cause, fully supporting the gambling industry. This is literature, fiction, it's not about being right or wrong. Of course you can agree or disagree with the author's views and you can like it or not. We also have to think about the context, the times in which the book was written. A lot has changed since then. And most important: it's not about Las Vegas, not even close.P.S. : About the myths you presented: who decides whether they are true or false? I think one can appreciate on that only from a personal, individual life experience. The way I see it the suggested answers are mostly biased.
I don't mean to quarrel with you, and I really try to respect your opinion, but it becomes quite hard when it seems like you're spreading gambling propaganda and vindicating it. Firstly, when you mention that the author should focus on the blast that Alexei has when he gambles instead of the aftermath is misinterpreted. Precisely, as you said previously, gambling has a narcotic effect, and as all narcotics, while you're subject to them you have a great time, but when you come back to reality it's quite a different story. His gambling obsession- yes, it is an obsession, he recognizes it- has led him to ruin twice. And in the end,it's his life outside the casino that matters, not within. And you even support your opinion by relating it with casino executives, how do you expect that to be reliable?
Another thing I wanted to mention, as a commentator said, your defense of gambling is based on it's positive economic effects on the city of Las Vegas, but it has nothing to do with it. It's not about the gambling industry either; but rather the obsession this ''sport'' generates and an insight on the attitudes, personality traits and behavior, among others, of different types of Europeans, for example, there are other themes as well.
It is evident that you have failed to provide an unbiased review for the novel. Don't get me wrong, I respect it, but it is hard to take it into consideration when you even fail to understand other important themes of The Gambler and stick to defending the gambling industry. And while I'm there, please, the disproofs of the myths you posted are nowhere near valid or true and even contradicting in a few cases.
But anyways, I couldn't agree with you more on one thing :''to each their own''.
This review makes me dizzy. I work with addiction, gambling in general doesn't always lead to these things but gambling addiction often does. Particularly in characters such as Ivanovitch who have deep voids to fill. I've witnessed it. Dostoyevsky experienced it. This has nothing to do with Las Vegas and the gambling culture this is about a man who develops a gambling problem. This statement is like saying a book about a miserable drunk is a knock on beer.
I don't gamble myself, but I do love this review.
As many above have posted, you are entitled to your opinion, but your very enthusiastic hyper-promotion of gambling prompted a strong visceral response as I read it. "Hopefully, this review will present a more unbiased opinion of the 鈥渁lternative鈥� investment vehicle and time honored source of happiness and pleasure that is the sport of gambling." It sounds like you're in the #1 spot of head of promotion for the State of Nevada Gaming Commission. Did you read the book? It's about gambling obsession leading to the total ruin of a person's economic and spiritual situation. Granted, not all gamblers are obsessed to this point, but your over the top post has nothing to do with the contents of the book.
Wow, I can not believe what I just read :) At first, I thought you are being ironic and then I realized you are for real.
Pure propaganda. Gambling addictions exist, and they destroy lives
shit fam, i havent read anything wrong as this is
This is pure propaganda and gaslighting completely void of fact and logic.
Contender for dumbest shit I鈥檝e read in years, well done.I hope you were paid for this at least, it鈥檚 be pretty sad to shill this hard otherwise.
Crap review. Blatantly affiliated with casinos.
For a split second I almost took this review seriously lol
I鈥檝e lost 拢100,000.+ gambling and been written out of the family inheritance. We gamble for the feeling of power, an egotistical twist on true meaning and meaning of the wrong sort, ultimately vapid. Worse it downgrades what is meaningful. When you have placed 拢1000 on red what else matters - what can possibly beat that excitement? Nothing can. This is why leaving the casino after losing more than you can afford (gamblers have no control) can lead to suicide.
