Subject
Chance -- Fiction Books
Best books
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
The Gambler
"The Gambler" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a short novel completed in 1866. Set in a German casino town, it follows Alexei Ivanovich, a young tutor working for an indebted Russian family awaiting a wealthy relative's death. Hopelessly in love with his employer's stepdaughter Polina, Alexei becomes drawn into the intoxicating world of roulette. The novel reflects Dostoyevsky's own struggles with gambling addiction, capturing the fevered psychology of risk, obsession, and the desperate pursuit of fortune at the gaming tables.
Stephen Barr
I Am a Nucleus
"I Am a Nucleus" by Stephen Barr is a science fiction novella written in the mid-20th century, specifically during the 1950s. The narrative centers around the theme of improbable occurrences and coincidence, as the protagonist becomes the focal point of a series of extraordinary events that defy the laws of probability and chaos. The story follows Alec Graham, a writer struggling with the mundane aspects of life while his wife is away. As he navigates through a series of unfortunate events, including a freak accident with a chunk of glass that sends him into a chaotic world, he discovers that he becomes the 'nucleus' of a bizarre phenomenon where everyday coincidences escalate into extraordinary occurrences. With the help of his friend McGill, a mathematician, Alec seeks to understand the nature of the powers that seem to gravitate around him and what it means to be at the center of such improbable happenings. As the chaos unfolds, Alec is forced to confront not only the strange happenings around him but also the deeper implications of chance, order, and the nature of existence itself.
Harold MacGrath
The Pagan Madonna
"The Pagan Madonna" by Harold MacGrath is a fictional novel written in the early 20th century. The story introduces two key characters: Ling Foo, a Chinese merchant in Shanghai, and Jane Norman, a Red Cross nurse who arrives in Shanghai as a traveler. The narrative combines elements of intrigue and drama, touching upon themes of chance, longing, and adventure. At the start of the story, we see Ling Foo's daily life as he navigates through the vibrant yet tumultuous society of Shanghai. A dramatic encounter occurs when a bloodied white man stumbles into his shop, leading to a series of events marked by mystery. Meanwhile, Jane Norman arrives in Shanghai eager for adventure yet simultaneously trapped in a cycle of mundane expectations. She yearns for freedom and exhilaration beyond the constraints of her past, setting the stage for encounters that will intertwine their fates. The opening chapters establish a tension-filled atmosphere while hinting at larger conflicts and adventures to come, particularly concerning a set of glass beads that may hold unexpected significance.
Murray Leinster
The Other Now
"The Other Now" by Murray Leinster is a science fiction novella that appears to have been written in the early 1950s. The story revolves around themes of love, loss, and the nature of existence, particularly focusing on the idea of alternate realities and the possibility of parallel lives. The plot centers on Jimmy Patterson, who is grieving the death of his wife, Jane. After experiencing a series of strange occurrences, including reliving moments associated with a door in his home and finding entries in Jane's diary written in her handwriting, he begins to suspect a deeper connection between their lives. Through a series of revelations, including a conversation with his friend and lawyer Haynes, Jimmy comes to believe there are multiple "nows," where different realities coexist—one where Jane is alive and one where he is dead. As their communication continues through the diary, they grow increasingly hopeful of reuniting, ultimately leading to Jimmy's mysterious disappearance as he seeks to merge their realities. The narrative evokes deep emotions regarding the bonds of love and the complex concept of alternate timelines.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Pelaaja
"Pelaaja" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a short novel completed in 1866. Set in a German casino town, it follows Alexei Ivanovich, a tutor to a debt-ridden Russian family desperately awaiting a wealthy aunt's inheritance. Alexei becomes entangled in their schemes while hopelessly devoted to Polina, the General's stepdaughter who treats him with cruel indifference. When the aunt arrives and succumbs to gambling fever herself, the fragile hopes of everyone unravel. The novel reflects Dostoyevsky's own addiction to roulette and the destructive power of obsession.
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