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A review by elspethmigliore
The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
this was actually pretty good. i’ve been wanting to read this for years so i’m glad i finally got around to it, but i don’t know if i would consider it a new favorite.
the beginning of the story felt really odd and tense, and the sa scene with Jolene was very unnecessary and uncomfortable. i liked how we got to see beth slowly start getting back into chess again when she left Methuen, and how Mrs. Wheatley started supporting her in it.
i would’ve liked to see more of each character after beth had established relationships with them and not just randomly hooked up with them and then never spoke to them again (harry, somewhat benny). i feel like there could even been so much more with each relationship. it also seems like the ending was a bit rushed.
the drugs and alcohol were definitely a lot and it became frustrating to keep reading about beth’s addictions, but that did make for a more satisfying ending when she cut out those things.
i don’t play chess and i could still follow this story really well, but it’s mostly chess terms with a plot. i likes the tv series so much better
would probably reread but not definitely ☑️
the beginning of the story felt really odd and tense, and the sa scene with Jolene was very unnecessary and uncomfortable. i liked how we got to see beth slowly start getting back into chess again when she left Methuen, and how Mrs. Wheatley started supporting her in it.
i would’ve liked to see more of each character after beth had established relationships with them and not just randomly hooked up with them and then never spoke to them again (harry, somewhat benny). i feel like there could even been so much more with each relationship. it also seems like the ending was a bit rushed.
the drugs and alcohol were definitely a lot and it became frustrating to keep reading about beth’s addictions, but that did make for a more satisfying ending when she cut out those things.
i don’t play chess and i could still follow this story really well, but it’s mostly chess terms with a plot. i likes the tv series so much better
would probably reread but not definitely ☑️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Death, Alcoholism, Drug use, Adult/minor relationship, Addiction, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Sexual content, Abandonment, and Racism
Minor: Child death and Body shaming