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acallista27's review
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dee9401's review
5.0
I liked the Club Dumas a great deal and was very much looking forward to reading The Flanders Panel. I must confess I like books more than painting or chess, but I came away so very much pleased with this book. A great story with strong characters and simply beautiful language. As one other commenter here noted, the translator (Margaret Jull Costa) did not stand in the way of the words. She did an excellent job and I savored every page of Pérez-Reverte's book.
Like the Club Dumas, I felt happy, and perhaps a little smug, by knowing some of the inside references the author made. Be it dealing with chess, the paintings, or references to old stories and myths, I was ever thankful for my classical education and my continued delight in those topics.
My biggest problem with this book was when I would finish it, i.e. in 2013 or 2014. It would have been great to end the year on such a wonderful book. But, I will take it as a good omen to start the year by completing this delightful novel.
Like the Club Dumas, I felt happy, and perhaps a little smug, by knowing some of the inside references the author made. Be it dealing with chess, the paintings, or references to old stories and myths, I was ever thankful for my classical education and my continued delight in those topics.
My biggest problem with this book was when I would finish it, i.e. in 2013 or 2014. It would have been great to end the year on such a wonderful book. But, I will take it as a good omen to start the year by completing this delightful novel.
littletaiko's review
3.0
An intriguing thriller that combines art and chess. An art restorer for a hidden message on a painting that depicts two men playing chess. The message asks - who killed the knight? As she starts to look into it further it kicks off a series of crazy events that includes the murder of a couple of her friends in the art world. I'm still a bit confused by the ending, but really enjoyed the cat and mouse game played and the in depth look at both art and chess.
shaneprhodes's review
5.0
Art History, Chess and strategy, intriguing and unique characters,fast paced and phenomenal vocabulary, I read all of Arturo's books with a dictionary at hand, and I love it!
purghy's review
3.0
A crime novel, almost a thriller (not really), full of details in Perez-Reverte's style. If these details were actions this would have been a great novel, perfect for chess and thriller lovers.
adeslibrary's review against another edition
3.0
J'aurai voulu plus aimé ce livre ; même s'il y a eu des plot twists et des choses dont je m'y attendais pas, je n'étais pas assez entrée dans l'histoire pour me permettre de mettre plus que trois étoiles.