A Gambler's Anatomy

A Gambler's Anatomy

Cover of first edition
Author	Jonathan Lethem
Language	English
Publisher	Doubleday
Publication date	2016
Publication place	United States

A Gambler's Anatomy (published as The Blot in the United Kingdom) is a 2016 novel by American author Jonathan Lethem. The plot concerns Alexander Bruno, a professional backgammon player with "psychic tendencies". The novel received mixed reviews and was compared negatively to other novels by Lethem. ^[1]

Plot

Alexander Bruno is a gambler who encounters a high school friend, Keith Stolarsky, who has made a fortune in real estate. After their meeting, Keith agrees to pay for an expensive surgery Bruno needs to survive, and later becomes Bruno's romantic rival.

Reception

The novel received mixed reviews, ^[2] with some praise for the caliber of his writing, and Lethem's ability to combine elements from multiple genres. ^{[2] [3]} Dwight Garner referred to Lethem's naming conventions as "Pynchonian" and compared the central antagonist, Keith, to Maurice Conchis, from John Fowles's novel The Magus . ^[4]

See also

• Games portal

References

1. Semley, John (October 21, 2016). "Review: Jonathan Lethem's A Gambler's Anatomy is a low-key meditation on identity". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
2. Charles, Ron (October 11, 2016). "'A Gambler's Anatomy': Meet the James Bond of backgammon". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
3. Chee, Alexander (October 21, 2016). "Alexander Chee on Jonathan Lethem's 'A Gambler's Anatomy': 'Oceans 11' meets 'Escape to Witch Mountain' meets a meningioma". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
4. Garner, Dwight (October 11, 2016). "In Jonathan Lethem's 'A Gambler's Anatomy,' a Hustler's Luck Turns Cold". The New York Times. Retrieved January 21, 2017.