Review by jonwood - The Queen's Gambit

jonwood 's review for:

The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis

3.0

emotional funny fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The book reads really fast with scenes that are very compressed, not much on dialogue. Tevis does deal with emotional ramifications of addition and trauma on Beth, but some of the choices he made I found problematic (particular the inclusion of an nonconsensual sexual experience of a minor). The more I think of it, the more I realize their is good craft in dealing with the mindset of addition, self-destructive tendencies, and need to win, perhaps I confuse the brevity of the book with simplicity. Regardless, I didn't find the book particularly rewarding, and honestly the chess games while well done and nontechnical to read (they could have been much dryer), seem to last a bit too long, but then again I don't like reading action scenes, so this may just be me.

For what it's worth, a member of my book club showed us that you could play through most of the major games if you wish. I wouldn't recommend the book, but I wouldn't discourage reading it either. Though, I think the Bobby Fischer biography "Endgame" by Frank Brady a much better Chess read.

Content Warnings