The Gambler
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Russian • Public Domain • Free to stream
The Gambler, published in 1867, is one of Dostoevsky's most personal works — written in a frantic 26 days to meet a publisher's deadline and pay off his own crushing gambling debts. The novella follows Alexei, a young tutor employed by a Russian general, who becomes hopelessly consumed by roulette at a German casino resort. Dostoevsky captures the irrational, self-destructive psychology of addiction with terrifying accuracy — the desperate certainty that the next spin will change everything. The brilliant American author Anna Snitkina, who took down the novel in shorthand, later became Dostoevsky's second wife. A gripping, raw, and surprisingly short masterwork. Stream free, no account required.
About the book: The Gambler
Fyodor Dostoevsky completed the short novel in 1866 under a strict deadline to pay off gambling debts. He agreed to a hazardous contract stating that if he did not deliver a novel of 12 or more signatures by 1 November 1866, the publisher would acquire the right to publish his works for 9 years, until 1 November 1875, without any compensation to the writer. With the help of Anna Grigorevna Snitkina, who transcribed his dictation and copied it neatly out for him, he was able to finish the book in time.
The story is about a young tutor in the employment of a formerly wealthy Russian general. Set in a hotel and casino in a German city, the theme of gambling reflects Dostoevsky's own experience of addiction to roulette.
During the time of writing the book, Dostoevsky dictated parts of his story to one of the first stenographers in Russia, the 19 year old Anna Grigorevna Snitkina. Anna later became his wife.
More Russian Audiobooks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Gambler free to listen to?
Yes, The Gambler is completely free to stream. No account, no subscription, and no ads required. It is in the public domain.
Who wrote The Gambler?
The Gambler was written by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Is The Gambler in the public domain?
Yes, The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoevsky is in the public domain and free to read, share, and listen to worldwide.
How long is The Gambler to listen to?
The Gambler takes approximately 5 hours to listen to in full.
When was The Gambler written?
The Gambler was first published in 1867. It is now in the public domain and free to stream.
Who narrates The Gambler?
The Gambler uses AI multi-voice narration. Each character has a distinct voice — narrators, heroes, villains and supporting characters all sound different, making it easy to follow the story.
Can I download The Gambler?
No download is needed. The Gambler streams directly in your browser — no app, no account, no signup required. Just press play.
What genre is The Gambler?
The Gambler is classic literature. It is a classic work of literature now in the public domain.