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A review by theelderbooks
The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
YES, I saw the show before reading the book. YES this is also why I got myself the Netflix version of the book (it's also much prettier than the other version). Let's start by saying I have no clue how one's supposed to play chess. This has never been my thing, and probably never will be. Still, I really enjoyed following Beth through her story, as it's also very centered around her as a person. However, if you know chess, I'm pretty sure the book is much more impressive, as the author describes thoroughfully the moves in the games she plays, etc. I'm sure you get to see more how amazing she is, if you understand the chess moves she does. I'm a noob on this, so I couldn't get the extent of it, but it was good enough!
The way we get to see grow and evolve as a woman and in her art was so fascinating. It has kind of voyeur side ahah but she is such a good character. It was just nice to read about someone who is not perfect, and is a bit morally grey if you ask me. She has her own vision of the world, and some things she does are not so great, either for her or others, just like her mother, which was refreshing to see when most of the books I read involve being heroic, and at most being a little vulnerable and that's it. It doesn't prevent me from seeing her as a strong woman! She overcame so many obstacles and did so much on her own, fought to have place in the chess competition field, etc.
Surprisingly, I also enjoyed reading about Jolene, Beth's adoption center "friend". She is terrible and very mature for her age in the beginning, and is somewhat of a brat. I didn't expect to see her again later in the story, but I was happy to. I was curious to see how she had evolved, and it's nice that Beth and her were able to figure out how to be in touch again, how to interact after all this time and the way both their lives turned out.
The series was actually very much like the book, and I'm glad the screenwriter stuck to the book for the adaptation. It's a good book, it doesn't get old, and can be enoyed even if you don't know the first thing about chess!
The way we get to see grow and evolve as a woman and in her art was so fascinating. It has kind of voyeur side ahah but she is such a good character. It was just nice to read about someone who is not perfect, and is a bit morally grey if you ask me. She has her own vision of the world, and some things she does are not so great, either for her or others, just like her mother, which was refreshing to see when most of the books I read involve being heroic, and at most being a little vulnerable and that's it. It doesn't prevent me from seeing her as a strong woman! She overcame so many obstacles and did so much on her own, fought to have place in the chess competition field, etc.
Surprisingly, I also enjoyed reading about Jolene, Beth's adoption center "friend". She is terrible and very mature for her age in the beginning, and is somewhat of a brat. I didn't expect to see her again later in the story, but I was happy to. I was curious to see how she had evolved, and it's nice that Beth and her were able to figure out how to be in touch again, how to interact after all this time and the way both their lives turned out.
The series was actually very much like the book, and I'm glad the screenwriter stuck to the book for the adaptation. It's a good book, it doesn't get old, and can be enoyed even if you don't know the first thing about chess!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Sexual content