A review by nithpanthiel
The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis

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

4.5

Making chess interesting through words is a feat in and of itself. This was a fantastic read. I don't understand much of chess, but each game felt like a battle in the way it was written.

The only thing that kept this from being a perfect book was Beth not truly conquering her addiction. Sure, she was free from it at the end, but so had she been many other times in the book. I don't believe her being free from it at the end had as much impact because she relapsed so many times throughout. If there had been something to suggest she went many years sober, I think it would have set differently. Regardless, I did like the way this book ended.
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