Reviews

Kockar, by Fyodor Dostoevsky

dillydongle's review against another edition

4.0

4.25/5

mel09's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

likecymbeline's review against another edition

2.0

I've listened to people talk about [b:Crime and Punishment|7144|Crime and Punishment|Fyodor Dostoyevsky|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1382846449s/7144.jpg|3393917] in such a passionate way that I've put off reading it because I want to be able to deeply devote attention to it. In the meantime, my desire to watch Gregory Peck looking handsome in The Great Sinner meant that I ought to pick up The Gambler in advance, and I'll admit it's soured some of my interest in Dostoevsky. I loved reading [b:War and Peace|656|War and Peace|Leo Tolstoy|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1413215930s/656.jpg|4912783] in the Pevear & Volokhonsky translation, so I thought I'd try them again for this book. Knowing how smooth I found the former book in their hands, it made me feel fairly sure that my problems with the tone weren't just a matter of the translators. Especially in the first part of the novella the pace and sounds seemed so staccato and brusque. And everything was just so obvious! I didn't find much in the way of deep insight to a gambler's psyche, not anything new, and I always had it in my mind that the psychological aspect was one of the chief defining factors of Dostoevsky. Overall it seemed inelegant in style and not at all groundbreaking in substance. I will probably still read Crime and Punishment one day, I had it in my head to read it this summer, but I can't say I'm as hopeful for it as I was before.

karin05's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

marinafaraujo's review against another edition

dark funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

musaelbooks's review against another edition

4.0

L'ho trovato veramente magnifico, il mio primo Dostoevskij.

irisvrp's review against another edition

2.0

I don't know if I read the same book as everyone else, but to me this was entirely forgettable. The back cover tells me that it was written in a rush, and the problem is that it certainly feels that way.

Let's begin by saying that it is very, very formulaic.
Bet on red. Bet on the magic zero. Win. Lose. Win more. Lose more. Cry about Polina. Sprinkle in some stereotypes about every country in Europe. Rinse. Repeat.

But that's not it. It might be a problem with the translation, so if the Russian is better I truly apologize, but the prose was absolutely terrible. There was nothing beautiful, nothing outstanding, nothing interesting. The writing felt as formulaic as the plot.

And finally: the characters. Was I supposed to care about anyone? The first time I heard a hint of Alexei's own voice and character was in the last 2-3 pages, or maybe (but that's a big maybe) when he leaves for Paris. Something's wrong if I already know that by this time next month, I won't be able to name any of the characters that appear in this story. Sorry Alexei, I can't save you either.

Don't get me wrong. It wasn't the worst book in the world, but there was just nothing memorable in it for me.

Or, to sum it all up in one word: Meh.

hana_kah's review against another edition

dark informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

da_en's review against another edition

reflective fast-paced

4.0

jonathan_mangiapane's review against another edition

4.0

This was my first piece of Russian literature I've read and it did not disappoint. The themes you expect to show up do, and are executed in a way that is familiar to this age of writing.
A nice story that is fairly well put together.