Dostoevsky’s The Gambler: The Allure of the Wheel

The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoevskys is a profound literary work that explores the phenomenon of gambling through psychological analysis and cultural and philosophical exploration. It considers the triggers of fascination with risk-taking and the relations between gambling, play, and creativity, and analyzes Dostoevskys view of gambling as a fundamental problem of human existence with implications in philosophy, religion, and aesthetics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 02 February 2024
Publisher: Lexington Books

Fyodor Dostoevskys novel The Gambler is a profound exploration of the phenomenon of gambling, delving into psychological analysis, cultural and philosophical exploration, and the broader issues surrounding games of chance. This novel is the first book in English dedicated to The Gambler, considering gambling from a broad interdisciplinary perspective, focusing on medical and psychological concepts, cultural aspects, and the relations between gambling, play, and creativity. Scholars from various fields contribute to this volume, analyzing Dostoevskys view of gambling as a fundamental problem of human existence, with implications in philosophy, religion, and aesthetics.

The novel delves into the cultural, psychological, and philosophical issues surrounding games of chance, such as temporality, freedom, rebellion, choice, uncertainty, determinism, and creativity. It explores the fascination with risk-taking and aleatory activities, the relations between gambling, play, and creativity, and the potential for gambling to be seen as a form of social or existential rebellion, protest, or quest for freedom.

Dostoevskys novel offers a rich and complex exploration of these themes, drawing on his own experiences and observations of gambling and the broader cultural context of the time. It raises important questions about the nature of human existence, the role of chance and fate, and the ethical and moral implications of gambling.

The Gambler has had a significant impact on literature and culture, inspiring many other works and influencing the development of gambling-related discourse. It has been studied and analyzed by scholars from a variety of fields, including psychiatry, psychology, philosophy, literary studies, and musicology, who have contributed to our understanding of the phenomenon of gambling and its implications for human existence.

In conclusion, Fyodor Dostoevskys novel The Gambler is a profound and thought-provoking exploration of the phenomenon of gambling, offering a rich and complex analysis of psychological, cultural, and philosophical issues. It has had a significant impact on literature and culture, inspiring many other works and influencing the development of gambling-related discourse. Through its exploration of the relations between gambling, play, and creativity, The Gambler raises important questions about the nature of human existence, the role of chance and fate, and the ethical and moral implications of gambling.

Weight: 562g
Dimension: 236 x 159 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666945294