The Gambler

Interesting Facts

• The book was written in just 26 days, as the author urgently needed money to pay off debts.
• The main character, Alexei Ivanovich, is an autobiographical character reflecting the author's personal experiences related to his own passion for gambling.
• The novel explores the psychology of addiction and the destructive impact of gambling on personality and relationships.
• The action of the novel takes place in the fictional German resort town of Roulettenburg, which is an allusion to the real town of Baden-Baden, where the author himself played roulette.
• The book features a romantic storyline between Alexei Ivanovich and Polina Alexandrovna, which also has autobiographical elements reflecting the author's complex relationships with women.
• The novel was written during a period when the author was under the influence of Western European culture and literature, which is reflected in its style and themes.