The film is set in October 1866. Dostoyevski is experiencing a hard and dark period in his life, including his wife's funeral, then his brother's, debts and an unsettled personal life. He signs a leonine contract with the publisher Stellovsky which dictates that in a short time he needs to provide the manuscript of his new novel.
On the advice of his friends, Fyodor uses services of a stenographer, one of the best course trainees of Olkhin.
For the little time that was given to him, the novel The Gambler was completed. A gentle, sincere feeling that arose between the writer and his assistant, grows into love. Anna, having overcome doubt, becomes his wife and loyal friend.
