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A review by katykelly
The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis
5.0
Checkmate - riveting!
Like many, I only learned this was a novel when enjoying the TV adaptation last year. That was marvellous television, and I (ignorantly?) did not realise the author has also written several other film classics.
I saw this was available as an audiobook from my local library, and plunged straight in. I would have listened straight through if I could, though it took a few days of commutes.
Absolutely absorbing in book form too, and it was wonderful hearing Beth's voice talking to us through an audiobook.
The story of a girl left at an orphanage, to be taught chess by the caretaker and discover a natural talent and genius for the game.... and there's so much actual CHESS in it! It didn't seem to matter that I had no idea what all the moves were, the tension was still real, her logic and description vivid.
Beth Harmon came across as less insular and inhibited than her TV incarnation. We get more insight into her need for drugs and alcohol through her young life, and her desire to win. She is the core of the novel, no other character really comes close, though her caretaker mentor and adoptive mother both are easy to picture and quite moving in their own ways.
I wanted more from Beth, it seemed to rush towards the ending all too quickly. I wanted to see her face more challenges, beat more foes, after all, she ages to only 19 at the close of the book - surely just her opening moves?
Like many, I only learned this was a novel when enjoying the TV adaptation last year. That was marvellous television, and I (ignorantly?) did not realise the author has also written several other film classics.
I saw this was available as an audiobook from my local library, and plunged straight in. I would have listened straight through if I could, though it took a few days of commutes.
Absolutely absorbing in book form too, and it was wonderful hearing Beth's voice talking to us through an audiobook.
The story of a girl left at an orphanage, to be taught chess by the caretaker and discover a natural talent and genius for the game.... and there's so much actual CHESS in it! It didn't seem to matter that I had no idea what all the moves were, the tension was still real, her logic and description vivid.
Beth Harmon came across as less insular and inhibited than her TV incarnation. We get more insight into her need for drugs and alcohol through her young life, and her desire to win. She is the core of the novel, no other character really comes close, though her caretaker mentor and adoptive mother both are easy to picture and quite moving in their own ways.
I wanted more from Beth, it seemed to rush towards the ending all too quickly. I wanted to see her face more challenges, beat more foes, after all, she ages to only 19 at the close of the book - surely just her opening moves?