Reviews with content warning for Sexism - Gambito de dama

I still know nothing about chess besides the Sicilian. Do I know how to pronounce it or what it is besides an opening? Nope. The book was still entertaining even though the tone and the chess aspect could bore half-interested readers. It is a good book that explores addiction but it wasn’t the most entertaining book I’ve read.

I’m still confused about Beth/Benny though. Because at the end of the book she’s 19. But when she first met Benny at the US openings she was about 15 and Benny 25. I’m not exactly sure what the precise age is since I read it quickly (and the show changed the age for some reason) but… I don’t like it. Or Benny to be honest. Why did Beth want to sleep with him? He seems like the least interesting person to do so, she even said the sex was just okay.

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liviamello's review against another edition

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emotional reflective 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

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theelliad's review against another edition

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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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feelingpeachygreen's review against another edition

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tense medium-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

5.0

Incredibly written - fantastic characters who you genuinely understand. It's fantastic and you dont need to understand an ounce of chess to deeply, heartily, root for Beth.

My only criticism - there's a scene of sexual assault at the very beginning that is never mentioned again.

I also find it so interesting that the author is a man.

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ultangill's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging informative inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Inspired me to learn chess

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zombiezami's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

As someone who doesn't know anything about chess strategy, I found this book fascinating from the very beginning. Even though I barely knew what was going on during the games, they were described in such an exciting way to me. I would highly recommend this.

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fahrcks's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative sad fast-paced

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

5.0

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abe26's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

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