Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis

156 reviews

theelliad's review

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

theswordandthesea's review

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

jess_tries2read's review against another edition

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 against another edition

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

mh9's review against another edition

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.

28rv_ss's review against another edition

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 against another edition

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