The Gambler: A Novel

"The Gambler: A Novel" by Katherine Cecil Thurston is a tale that sees English archaeologist James Milbanke travel to Ireland to reunite with his friend, Denis Asshlin, after nearly thirty years, only to find him wrestling with inner turmoil. Set against the backdrop of a rainy Irish landscape, the initial warmth of their reunion quickly gives way to the surfacing of underlying tensions during a dinner conversation where Milbanke grapples with nostalgia and unease over his friend's life. As Milbanke meets Asshlin's daughters, Clodagh and Nance, the narrative explores themes of personal transformation, the differences between English and Irish cultures, and the drama that unfolds around gambling, family expectations, and individual battles.