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The novel "The Gambler" has strong autobiographical motifs, as Dostoevsky himself was a compulsive gambler. The story behind the creation of this book is very interesting: having lost his last penny in Wiesbaden, the writer, desperately in need of money, signed a contract with the publisher according to which he had to write a novel... in 26 days. These completely implausible deadlines forced Dostoevsky, for the first time in his life, to use the services of a stenographer-secretary, to whom he dictated the text. This is how young Anna Snitkina entered the genius's life – the woman who was destined to become his wife and muse...