Reviews

The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis

brenlee's review against another edition

4.0

I would give it a 4.5 if possible. Who knew you would like a book with a lot of info about chess? Highly recommend.

hollietoftx's review against another edition

5.0

I enjoyed this so much, I love Beth Harmon! She's a bad bitch chess queen.

sam_vimes_75's review against another edition

4.0

One of the strengths of The Queen's Gambit is that it appeals to many readers: YA readers, historical fiction readers, intense drama readers (Beth's descent into drug and alcohol addiction is especially well done), and chess fans. Beth Harmon's story is a great ride. My only complaint is that the last quarter of the book falls into "the big game" trope and it starts to read like every underdog sports story ever written. It doesn't quite get checkmate, but I was resigned to its charms.

I haven't seen the Netflix series yet, but I enjoyed the book enough that I look forward to watching it this weekend.

gabthebookworm's review

emotional inspiring 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? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Addiction

Moderate: Sexual assault

rcpope's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

heartdelan's review against another edition

reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

lisakerd's review against another edition

3.0

I adore this story. However, the excitement and drama of the chess matches translate far better in the television medium.

c_ab_bage's review against another edition

4.0

the show was undoubtedly better than the book, but i think the books stands alright on its own, honestly. if i took out all the comparisons i was making to the netflix series, the book was actually very enjoyable (aside from the very obvious issues that are direct effects of the white, male author). and while that’s true, i do think my connection to beth that i made watching the series carried over to this book a lot, making her a more enjoyable character to read while i found her to be lacking depth in the book.

either way, i found the book to be perfectly pleasant to read; nothing more, nothing less.

al_jewells's review against another edition

veryyyy slow and disappointing 

eclecticlittleadventures's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75