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katyab's review against another edition
3.0
TW: addiction, substance abuse, alcoholism, sexual assault
This was a fast-paced, compelling story. I was compulsively turning it on whenever I had a spare minute. Despite being a non-player and being bombarded with chess moves throughout the narrative, it was still gripping and the tension in the games was very effectively communicated. When Beth figured something out that seemed at first impossible, the relief and excitement was definitely there -- although I do think someone who knows the game better than I do would get more out of it, for sure.
I found Beth's rigorous dedication to chess the most compelling part about her, but wasn't especially invested in other aspects of her character. I'm actually not sure there was much character besides that fixation on the game.
But my goodness the narration was... not good. Weird emphasis on words (almost as if she'd stopped reading halfway through a sentence and picked up the recording on the second half without reading it as a whole, so it felt jarring). A very slim repertoire of voices: all the men sounded the same, and all the women sounded the same (even if they had an accent, the intonation was still there). Her narration got very robotic at times, but the story held me enough that I often forgot about it.
This was a fast-paced, compelling story. I was compulsively turning it on whenever I had a spare minute. Despite being a non-player and being bombarded with chess moves throughout the narrative, it was still gripping and the tension in the games was very effectively communicated. When Beth figured something out that seemed at first impossible, the relief and excitement was definitely there -- although I do think someone who knows the game better than I do would get more out of it, for sure.
I found Beth's rigorous dedication to chess the most compelling part about her, but wasn't especially invested in other aspects of her character. I'm actually not sure there was much character besides that fixation on the game.
But my goodness the narration was... not good. Weird emphasis on words (almost as if she'd stopped reading halfway through a sentence and picked up the recording on the second half without reading it as a whole, so it felt jarring). A very slim repertoire of voices: all the men sounded the same, and all the women sounded the same (even if they had an accent, the intonation was still there). Her narration got very robotic at times, but the story held me enough that I often forgot about it.
Spoiler
And I was also uncomfortable with the addiction, especially because Beth was a very young child when it developed, and under 18 for at least 90% of the narrative.kikiiii_6's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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
4.5
matthias40's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
eule's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
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
5.0
Phenomenal. The second time readin this book might and again, I am not disappointed but marvel at this beautiful masterpiece. I don't follow chess but this book is incredible. Even the series is as good as this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
natashiataylor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
4.0
hannahmerritt's review against another edition
4.0
Probably the most 1:1 adaption of a book… ever. That being said, I still find chess to be so boring so I didn’t particularly enjoy the lengthy bits about the games but hey! I’m reading a book about chess! I know what I signed up for!
c_jo214's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Slayed
the_book_bear's review against another edition
4.0
Heartbreaking that I will never be a chess genius.