Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - The Queen's Gambit

I still know nothing about chess besides the Sicilian. Do I know how to pronounce it or what it is besides an opening? Nope. The book was still entertaining even though the tone and the chess aspect could bore half-interested readers. It is a good book that explores addiction but it wasn’t the most entertaining book I’ve read.

I’m still confused about Beth/Benny though. Because at the end of the book she’s 19. But when she first met Benny at the US openings she was about 15 and Benny 25. I’m not exactly sure what the precise age is since I read it quickly (and the show changed the age for some reason) but… I don’t like it. Or Benny to be honest. Why did Beth want to sleep with him? He seems like the least interesting person to do so, she even said the sex was just okay.

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classicsandcocoa's review

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious tense 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

4.75

This book was wonderful. Any chess lover would be doing themselves a favour by picking this up. The suspense was incredible, and the visualization was on point. The character building was excellent, and while there were a few plot holes/cliffhangers, it was overall a read 100% worth it.

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capp518's review

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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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la_karina1818's review

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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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theelliad's review against another edition

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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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jonwood's review against another edition

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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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ehunsy's review

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3.5

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stefnevells's review

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inspiring tense medium-paced

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

3.0

I really want to be able to connect to these characters. I can logically understand the trauma and hardship and neurodivergencies that all make beth Harmon who she is. And I still don't feel any sense of connection to her. I find her pretty unlikeable, and the story offers so little by ways of character development when there's so much opportunity for it. The book well written, the chess scenes do a great job of conveying tension. But the characters are flat and I just couldn't find myself caring about them.

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