Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis

135 reviews

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

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

m4yli's review against another edition

medium-paced

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

4.0

the tv show is better

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism and Drug use

Minor: Death of parent

ehunsy's review

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, and Addiction

Moderate: Cursing

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

adcamp04's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Minor: Drug use

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.

araceli_'s review

inspiring tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Alcohol, and Sexual assault

peckreadsbooks's review against another edition

medium-paced

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

3.0

so. much. chess.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, and Death of parent

whitelotusreads's review against another edition

inspiring 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

I know nothing about chess, but this kept me hooked from beginning to end. I believe it takes real talent to engage their audience like that. 

Amy Landon was able to embody and give life to Beth’s character. The combination of Landon’ narration and Tevis’ brilliant storytelling makes for a wonderful experience.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug use and Addiction

Minor: Alcoholism