Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis

237 reviews

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

theswordandthesea's review against another edition

medium-paced

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

3.75

One of the rare instances where I can’t decide if I like the show or the book better (usually it’s easily the book). I think both had their issues, though ultimately the storytelling is probably better here in the book. There are some author choices when Beth’s in the home that I didn’t like and it made her reunion/friendship with Jolene somewhat baffling. I don’t think the characterization of Jolene is perfect in either medium though. I didn’t expect written descriptions of chess games to be so compelling, especially as someone who doesn’t play the game but there was one that actually gave me chills! An undeniably well-written book and Beth is a standout character. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism

Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual assault, and Child abuse

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

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.

lydiawilson's review

medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Drug abuse

Moderate: Alcoholism and Sexual content

28rv_ss's review

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Grief, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Sexual content

Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, and Grief

Minor: Car accident, Racial slurs, and Sexual assault

mollyolloxenfree25's review

emotional inspiring slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse