The inexplicable talent Dostoevsky possesses for giving life to words, touching the most sensitive chords and dusty corners of my heart—and thoughts—is something few authors can ever hope to achieve. He exposes human beings down to their bones and then describes his findings in ways many authors fear to write.

The novel is narrated by Alexei Ivanovich, a poverty-stricken Russian uchitel, who is staying with a wealthy group in the fictional German town of Roulettenburg (based on Dostoevsky’s own experiences), where he teaches the children of an irresponsible general while hopelessly falling in love with his manipulable stepdaughter, Polina Alexandrovna. At the beginning of the story, she often wears a stoic mask; her thoughts and actions, such as taking advantage of Alexei's feelings—essentially enslaving him—are usually unexpected, making it hard to truly gauge her. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that she has a very emotionally unstable character, shifting suddenly from contempt to affection. The entire group is surprised when the strong-willed "Granny," expected to be on her deathbed, arrives in Roulettenburg and promptly gambles away the substantial fortune in the casinos. Meanwhile, Alexei's "love" for Polina grows into a damaging infatuation. He wants to prove himself to Polina, to society, and to himself by earning money—and what quicker way to get rich than by playing roulette? Or perhaps it’s the opposite—losing everything… The risk is all or nothing, rouge ou noire, manque ou passe. Ivanovich’s irrational thoughts and overwhelming desire for more, for validation, for recognition, and for Polina’s love—though, is it really about her? Is he not just playing for himself in that blurred world of Pair ou Impair? — leads him to degradation.

The novel delves into the world of obsession and the destructive nature of the human race. We, as individuals, always seek to justify ourselves; we never have enough and make too many impulsive decisions in this sinful world. On top of that, Dostoevsky critiques the gambling system and the banking system, while also condemning the aristocracy and the capitalist framework of 19th-century Russia. As the protagonist spirals into madness and insanity, both due to his gambling addiction and unhealthy relationship with Polina, the writing style mirrors this chaotic and wild state of mind—likely influenced by the pressure of the looming deadline for Dostoevsky. But due to the unreliable narrator, the reader is constantly thrown into self-doubt and denial. Every time you think you know where the story is heading, you end up at a dead end.

Though shorter than Dostoevsky’s other novels, it certainly leaves the same profound effect, cutting deep into my soul. Russian literature, particularly Dostoevsky, fills an emptiness inside me and always leaves me in a state of perplexity. Reading about the evolution of a character slowly losing his sanity but still trying to prove himself fascinates me.

Although some characters and actions may appear complex and evoke a great deal of frustration, they still manage to make me forgive them, encouraging me to dive deeper into the nature of humankind. The fact that these interwoven words reflect Dostoevsky’s own life, as he was immersed in similar environments, adds even more depth and value to the story. For those who have a passion for 19th-century Russian literature and are somewhat intimidated by the thickness of Dostoevsky’s other works, I would highly recommend this one. But I must also warn you, his works always end in downfall and leave you with more questions than when you first dove into the work.

The psychological exploration of Alexei’s mind and heart, along with his obsession and addiction, reveals to us the reality of ourselves—human beings and free-thinking individuals—and how fragile we are, how easily we can be destroyed and lose our worth.

If you appreciate 19th-century stories and feel at home in the psychological, realistic world of addiction, despair, and insanity, I highly recommend this book—especially if you're intrigued by the impact of power on individuals.