The Gambler

De: Fyodor Dostoevsky

Narrado por: Simon Prebble

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.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“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)

What a narrator!

This is probably the best narration that I have heard from any audiobook. Simon Prebble’s ability to seamlessly transition between languages and accents. I was astounded! Bravo!
Also the story is fantastic.

Brilliant story and narrator

this is an excellent work of fiction and somewhat autobiographical as well. the reader is one of the best! this is a short but really interesting and exciting around through the mind of the amazing FD!

Classic Book, Amazing Narrator

Must read for any fan of gambling, and/or financial speculation, cryptocurrency, and volatile pursuits of that kind. Also very funny at some points, I was laughing more than I expected to.

Time and the human condition

If a person had the ability to stand between the two gaming establishments, the primary house of the 1860’s and our now reality house of today’s 2022, it must be recognized as a human weakness and genetically encoded, too risk all for the hope of an imaginary truth built upon a known lie. Although 160 years has passed, this weakness for a fulfillment never to be obtained still sells.What organized crime once controlled and now openly excepted and expected by our on Government of which they do know a good thing when they see it. Are we really evolving as a species? It is too bad Mr. Darwin is not present to give argument. Nothing new under this sun. Great read, best of a reality check.

Great story and performance!

Excellent place to start with Dostoevsky, and the reader is magnificent- well worth the listen.