Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis

158 reviews

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

lemonzest's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring tense medium-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Racism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Death of parent, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Chronic illness, Car accident, and Death

aysha_blake's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Rape, Alcoholism, Drug use, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Drug abuse, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Death of parent and Death

sas_ram's review against another edition

challenging inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I always came across the series on Netflix and wasn't enticed to watch it or read the book. But now I have to say that it's really good. Maybe even a 5-Star book.
It really isn't anything adventurous but the characters and the chess part make this something unique and worthwhile.

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Racial slurs and Death of parent

jacob_dion's review against another edition

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Drug abuse

Moderate: Sexual assault

millierbrewer's review against another edition

4.5

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Sexual assault

lateromantic's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual assault, Racism, Drug use, Alcoholism, and Child abuse

genevieve_eggleston's review against another edition

challenging dark informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.0

This book was something that I picked up because I found it free on Audible and have heard wonderful things about the TV adaption. Unfortunately, it wasn't a book that I particularly enjoyed. People who have an interest in chess might find it more entertaining than I did, but as someone who doesn't have much of an interest in the game, I just got lost, and at times annoyed, with all of the move-by-move descriptions. I also found Beth frustrating as a character, especially when she kept falling back on the same self-destructive tendencies. Even though the book covers a period of nearly 10 years, the presentation of the story somehow manages to make it seem painfully slow. Overall, this book was okay, but nothing more than that.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Death of parent, Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcoholism, Grief, and Vomit

Moderate: Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Bullying, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Body shaming, Dysphoria, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism

gymjam_reads's review against another edition

informative inspiring tense slow-paced

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

2.5

If you love playing or studying chess, this is a book for you. If (like me) you don't know anything about chess, there will be times it may seem like you're reading a novel in another language but it's still a good read. A great insight into the life/mind of a chess genius but I felt like it could have delved a lot deeper into her emotions/alcoholism/sedative drug addiction/relationships with others rather than having such a huge focus on game play. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Alcohol, and Addiction

Minor: Death of parent

meeileen's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Drug use, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Cursing

Minor: Abandonment, Bullying, and Car accident