Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis

157 reviews

zombiezami's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

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

dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.0

this was actually pretty good. i’ve been wanting to read this for years so i’m glad i finally got around to it, but i don’t know if i would consider it a new favorite. 

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 ☑️

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Content Warnings

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

fahrcks's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, and Sexism

breeinreadingland's review against another edition

medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Drug use

Minor: Death of parent and Death

halloweenrose's review against another edition

dark inspiring 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? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Death of parent

ashwatever98's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I was never really interested in chess, but this book describes the game with such elegance, that it was hard to put down. The character development was incredible and you could feel the emotions of what Beth was going through. Do yourself a favor and read this book. I can guarantee it's one of the best books out there. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Addiction, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Death of parent

1oca1sh1thead's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective tense medium-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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, and Alcoholism

Minor: Sexual content, Misogyny, and Racism

nickynak3's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Grief, Death, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Abandonment

charliesmith1564's review

adventurous challenging dark informative inspiring tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Infertility, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Child abuse, Car accident, Sexism, Racism, Grief, Death, Alcohol, Addiction, Rape, Suicide attempt, Classism, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Death of parent, Confinement, Bullying, Abandonment, Misogyny, Medical trauma, and Medical content

bumblemee's review against another edition

challenging inspiring sad 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

3.5

I read this because I loved the show and I do not regret it one bit. I have to say that I do not understand chess at all, so all the time taken to explain game strategy is completly wasted on me because I can't even remember how each piece is allowed to move. Which was a little sad because it must be fascinating and thrilling to read if you DO know what's going on. I just got that there was something going on and the tension came through a little bit, but I think my rating would probably be higher if my understanding of the game was better. Nonetheless I am a sucker for competeteive aspects in books so I still enjoyed it. There's also a lot more in this book than pure chess. Beth is a fascinating character and while I can't say that I liked her, I still felt for her. Seeing her struggle and not really understanding herself a lot of the time made me feel a lot.
I also think that this matter of factly, analytical writing style was perfect for Beth. As well as the details she picks up on and what she chooses to focus on in general. It was really well done. That being said, I sometimes have a hard time with this type of writing because it distances me from what's going on.
Still, a certain scene that was also in the show made me tear up a bit, because in the important moments, the book did get to me emotionally.

This book was adapted perfectly by the way, at least in my opinion. I watched the show first and I expected exactly this type of writing from watching it. I don't think that happened to me before, at least not to this extend. They did an amazing job of telling the story as well, I didn't feel like the show missed anything important. So if you think the book might not be for you - for example bc you don't know anything about chess - but still want to consume the story, watch the show. It might be the better choice for you since it's less hard to get through parts you don't understand.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Addiction, Death of parent, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse

Moderate: Racial slurs and Sexual assault