The Gambler (Aziloth Books)

'The Gambler' must be considered at least a semi-autobiographical novel as Dostoyevsky was himself addicted to games of chance. It is famous not just for its literary merit but for the numerous behavioural/social analyses undertaken in the hope of finding clues to the origin of compulsive gambling. A closer reading of the work however reveals that its hero Alexei acts compulsively in almost every area of his life and as the novel progresses he gradually comes to understand this as the root cause of his chaotic existence. Ironically Dostoyevsky wrote the book in order to pay off gambling debts.