Dostoevsky's Last Night — Cristina Peri Rossi

In this wonderfully provocative novel, gambling is both a powerfully erotic and a spiritual experience for one man, Jorge: a gambler addicted to the godlike sensation of mastering games of chance. Jorge's addiction leads him to a mysteriously seductive analyst, Lucia, who attempts to cure his problem. Their dialogues form the core of this enchanting literary delight (Oscar Hijuelos).