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kathy17's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
luthienneslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
With chess into insanity...
This is not a story about a rare and extraordinary game of chess between masters. On the contrary, the chess game is of secondary importance here. It is not about the genius of Dr B., but about his mental insanity. Unable to communicate and absorb information because he was in a solitary cell during Gestapo times, the doctor focussed his attention on the only possible brain work during the most difficult time - solving chess combinations.
The chess games against himself develop into a psychosis, and when he plays a spontaneous round with the world chess champion Czentovic, he backslides and falls into a state of manic chess-playing in his head.
A short but interesting novella about the abilities and possibilities of the human brain and the problems of loneliness.
4/5 ⭐
This is not a story about a rare and extraordinary game of chess between masters. On the contrary, the chess game is of secondary importance here. It is not about the genius of Dr B., but about his mental insanity. Unable to communicate and absorb information because he was in a solitary cell during Gestapo times, the doctor focussed his attention on the only possible brain work during the most difficult time - solving chess combinations.
The chess games against himself develop into a psychosis, and when he plays a spontaneous round with the world chess champion Czentovic, he backslides and falls into a state of manic chess-playing in his head.
A short but interesting novella about the abilities and possibilities of the human brain and the problems of loneliness.
4/5 ⭐
angelineonvicodins's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
monomania for the win
anagy4's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
rymh's review against another edition
4.0
Reading about this man who says isolation is the worst torture method during this time of self-isolation got to me.
solran2249's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.25
schleumel's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
nishaluther's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
comfort books are supposed to get you tweaking right??
nams's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25