Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis

190 reviews

capp518's review

emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I read this book because I loved the mini-series. There are some scenes in this book that I feel are completely unnecessary for plot development and character development that thankfully the show omitted. I was hesitant to give it 4 stars because of these scenes, but I still enjoyed the story overall.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse

la_karina1818's review

emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Alcohol, and Sexual content

theelliad's review against another edition

4.5

I have quite honestly never cared about chess so much…

The Queens Gambit is the story of Beth Harmon a young chess prodigy as she battles being orphaned, adopted, addiction, sexuality and overall being viewed as less within her world due to her gender!

This story was beautifully narrated and I found Beth to be very relatable in her struggles and very human within her circumstance! The depictions of addiction are handled well, especially the institutional abusive use of it. The scenes of chess were long and confusing at times but all the more beautiful for it - Beth’s inner voice came through and I felt I understood it even when I didn’t! Safe to say i’m off to watch the netflix show and learn to play chess now….

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Addiction, Drug abuse, Misogyny, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Abandonment, Sexism, Grief, Car accident, Bullying, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Violence

sourcherryyy's review against another edition

challenging tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

i found myself getting bored during the chess playing description which i felt like the show displayed in a more interesting way. but this might be more enjoyable if you like chess :)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol and Drug abuse

Moderate: Death of parent

jonwood's review against another edition

emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The book reads really fast with scenes that are very compressed, not much on dialogue. Tevis does deal with emotional ramifications of addition and trauma on Beth, but some of the choices he made I found problematic (particular the inclusion of an nonconsensual sexual experience of a minor). The more I think of it, the more I realize their is good craft in dealing with the mindset of addition, self-destructive tendencies, and need to win, perhaps I confuse the brevity of the book with simplicity. Regardless, I didn't find the book particularly rewarding, and honestly  the chess games while well done and nontechnical to read (they could have been much dryer), seem to last a bit too long, but then again I don't like reading action scenes, so this may just be me. 

For what it's worth, a member of my book club showed us that you could play through most of the major games if you wish. I wouldn't recommend the book, but I wouldn't discourage reading it either. Though, I think the Bobby Fischer biography "Endgame" by Frank Brady a much better Chess read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Alcohol

Moderate: Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Sexual content, Drug use, Medical content, Drug abuse, and Death of parent

Minor: Racial slurs, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault

jess_tries2read's review

dark emotional funny inspiring tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Drug abuse

Minor: Sexual assault

ivy_camilla's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Forced institutionalization, Drug abuse, Child abuse, and Addiction

Moderate: Eating disorder, Death of parent, Drug use, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Abandonment

canadawithoutthec's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Alcoholism, and Sexual assault

antoniac's review against another edition

emotional tense medium-paced

5.0

Even though I've seen the Netflix show and knew where this was going to go it was captivating. The tension was palpable as well as a sense of Beth's /ache/ for something more, something better. I felt her loneliness and isolation so thoroughly. A really great read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Addiction, Drug abuse, and Death

Moderate: Racial slurs and Sexual content

mh9's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Great book! the characters were amazing, the overall story was amazing, everything was just amazing. A piece of modern-day literature.  Would read again. 5/5*

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Grief, Alcohol, Sexual content, Bullying, Car accident, Death, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Infertility

Good for older adults, wouldn't recommend to children or people under 16.