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horrorshowkatie's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hannahcolechin22's review against another edition
4.5
“It is foolish to run the risk of going mad for vanity’s sake.”
After watching the TV show three times back-to-back during the 2020 lockdown, I was elated to find out that it had been based on a book of the same name by Walter Tevis. The story follows the life of fictional female chess prodigy Beth Harmon. Sent to an orphanage at the age of eight, Beth is quick to realise that chess is one of her natural talents. As she progresses to the top of the US chess rankings, Beth starts to lose control of herself as she is introduced to the world of drink and drugs.
I loved the moral of this story. From her complicated childhood to her successful career as a chess player, I loved the exploration of Beth’s addictions, flaws, and struggles. Another aspect of the book I quite liked was the exploration of a female trying to make her way into a male-dominated sphere.
I hate to say it but one very harsh criticism I have of this book is aimed at some of the descriptions of the chess games. I found that explaining the chess games move-by-move and in extreme detail was rather confusing and made some parts of the book quite slow-paced.
After watching the TV show three times back-to-back during the 2020 lockdown, I was elated to find out that it had been based on a book of the same name by Walter Tevis. The story follows the life of fictional female chess prodigy Beth Harmon. Sent to an orphanage at the age of eight, Beth is quick to realise that chess is one of her natural talents. As she progresses to the top of the US chess rankings, Beth starts to lose control of herself as she is introduced to the world of drink and drugs.
I loved the moral of this story. From her complicated childhood to her successful career as a chess player, I loved the exploration of Beth’s addictions, flaws, and struggles. Another aspect of the book I quite liked was the exploration of a female trying to make her way into a male-dominated sphere.
I hate to say it but one very harsh criticism I have of this book is aimed at some of the descriptions of the chess games. I found that explaining the chess games move-by-move and in extreme detail was rather confusing and made some parts of the book quite slow-paced.
notamozarella's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
graciecat_mom's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved this book, even though I have seen the Netflix series. I loved the emotional aspect of the games as she tries to obliterate her opponents, and what's going through her mind as she plays. (I know very little about chess, but found the book entertaining!)
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Checkmate - riveting!
Like many, I only learned this was a novel when enjoying the TV adaptation last year. That was marvellous television, and I (ignorantly?) did not realise the author has also written several other film classics.
I saw this was available as an audiobook from my local library, and plunged straight in. I would have listened straight through if I could, though it took a few days of commutes.
Absolutely absorbing in book form too, and it was wonderful hearing Beth's voice talking to us through an audiobook.
The story of a girl left at an orphanage, to be taught chess by the caretaker and discover a natural talent and genius for the game.... and there's so much actual CHESS in it! It didn't seem to matter that I had no idea what all the moves were, the tension was still real, her logic and description vivid.
Beth Harmon came across as less insular and inhibited than her TV incarnation. We get more insight into her need for drugs and alcohol through her young life, and her desire to win. She is the core of the novel, no other character really comes close, though her caretaker mentor and adoptive mother both are easy to picture and quite moving in their own ways.
I wanted more from Beth, it seemed to rush towards the ending all too quickly. I wanted to see her face more challenges, beat more foes, after all, she ages to only 19 at the close of the book - surely just her opening moves?
Like many, I only learned this was a novel when enjoying the TV adaptation last year. That was marvellous television, and I (ignorantly?) did not realise the author has also written several other film classics.
I saw this was available as an audiobook from my local library, and plunged straight in. I would have listened straight through if I could, though it took a few days of commutes.
Absolutely absorbing in book form too, and it was wonderful hearing Beth's voice talking to us through an audiobook.
The story of a girl left at an orphanage, to be taught chess by the caretaker and discover a natural talent and genius for the game.... and there's so much actual CHESS in it! It didn't seem to matter that I had no idea what all the moves were, the tension was still real, her logic and description vivid.
Beth Harmon came across as less insular and inhibited than her TV incarnation. We get more insight into her need for drugs and alcohol through her young life, and her desire to win. She is the core of the novel, no other character really comes close, though her caretaker mentor and adoptive mother both are easy to picture and quite moving in their own ways.
I wanted more from Beth, it seemed to rush towards the ending all too quickly. I wanted to see her face more challenges, beat more foes, after all, she ages to only 19 at the close of the book - surely just her opening moves?
lurker_stalker's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable book that follows the Netflix series pretty well. If you're going to give it a shot - and if you're a fan of the show or of chess, you might want to - go with the eyeball version. The narrator left a lot to be desired. I think I would have enjoyed a text-to-speech reader more.
I listened through the Audible Premium Plus catalog so at least I'm not out a credit...
I listened through the Audible Premium Plus catalog so at least I'm not out a credit...
that_chick26's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ergoebel's review against another edition
3.0
i think i would have liked this a lot more if i understood a single thing about chess
jenzhg's review against another edition
3.0
I’d give this book a high 3 stars so like 3.85/5. I liked it all, truly. I think there were just some scenes that I felt was very slow and boring to read but there were also times that I felt very touched and genuinely connected with Beth. 4 stars {for me} are reserved for rereads therefore I’d give this a 3.85! It was good, very good and easy to pick up after not reading it for 3 months —it gets you into the mood quickly—. I also found Beth to be very relatable in many ways and the friendships that happened near the end was extremely endearing. Tbh i just finished it so the rating might be revised but for now its a high 3
lupe0503's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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
3.75