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araceli_'s review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Drug use, Alcohol, and Sexual assault
peckreadsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, and Death of parent
whitelotusreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Amy Landon was able to embody and give life to Beth’s character. The combination of Landon’ narration and Tevis’ brilliant storytelling makes for a wonderful experience.
Moderate: Drug use and Addiction
Minor: Alcoholism
sivujensankari's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Death
Minor: Abandonment
iirissr's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Drug use, Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Racial slurs and Misogyny
ultangill's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Drug abuse, Sexism, and Drug use
Moderate: Death of parent
zombiezami's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Drug abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexism, Death, Car accident, Sexual assault, Drug use, Cursing, Child abuse, Classism, and Grief
Moderate: Vomit, Sexual content, Racial slurs, Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, Racism, Religious bigotry, Medical content, and Body shaming
Minor: Blood
elspethmigliore's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
the beginning of the story felt really odd and tense, and the sa scene with Jolene was very unnecessary and uncomfortable. i liked how we got to see beth slowly start getting back into chess again when she left Methuen, and how Mrs. Wheatley started supporting her in it.
i would’ve liked to see more of each character after beth had established relationships with them and not just randomly hooked up with them and then never spoke to them again (harry, somewhat benny). i feel like there could even been so much more with each relationship. it also seems like the ending was a bit rushed.
the drugs and alcohol were definitely a lot and it became frustrating to keep reading about beth’s addictions, but that did make for a more satisfying ending when she cut out those things.
i don’t play chess and i could still follow this story really well, but it’s mostly chess terms with a plot. i likes the tv series so much better
would probably reread but not definitely ☑️
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Death, Alcoholism, Drug use, Adult/minor relationship, Addiction, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Sexual content, Abandonment, and Racism
Minor: Child death and Body shaming
breeinreadingland's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Death of parent and Death
theremightbecupcakes's review against another edition
But.
I truly believe you need to understand chess to follow this novel’s progression. Many of Beth’s plays, and tournaments’ rules and activities, are given without any explanation, which is frustrating. Plus, there is so much alcohol abuse, without it pressing forward the story. Both Beth and her mother drink beer like mother, often in physically impossible quantities and in a method of communication with each other and with other people. I am not sensitive to alcohol abuse or alcoholism per se, but even I became very uncomfortable with the frequency of it. I became so hyperaware of it that it took me out of the book.
Graphic: Classism, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Drug use, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Forced institutionalization