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Matthew's Reviews > The Queen's Gambit
The Queen's Gambit
by
by
Matthew's review
bookshelves: 2021, historical-fiction, audio, audible
Mar 24, 2021
bookshelves: 2021, historical-fiction, audio, audible
Read 2 times. Last read March 4, 2021 to March 23, 2021.
The Good:
This book was a delightful read that was easy to get into and stay invested in. Like any good underdog story � and in the spirt of many great sports movies � we get to go from humble beginnings, victories, setbacks, and development from rookie to champion. Every step of the way I found myself cheering, feeling empathy, and sometimes cringing as I made a close connection to our protagonist, Beth Harmon.
The Bad:
There really isn’t much that I would say is bad about this book. There are a few storylines that I thought might play out differently (view spoiler) and maybe a few opportunities missed. But, not enough to detract from the overall experience
The Chess:
I know how to play chess and how all the pieces move. How long would I last in a chess game? Probably not very long as it has been years since I actually played and, as is reflected in this book, the strategy of those who play a lot is very complex and hard to follow with many, many potential moves needing to be anticipated and prepared for. At times, this book gets deep into describing chess matches and chess strategy. Actually understanding what is going on does not seem to matter, but it does occupy quite a bit of real estate in this book so it is something to be prepared for. If you think pages and pages of chess will not interest you, you can skim and should be fine.
Overall:
I am glad I read this book and I think a lot of people will enjoy it. I am looking forward to checking out the show on Netflix.
This book was a delightful read that was easy to get into and stay invested in. Like any good underdog story � and in the spirt of many great sports movies � we get to go from humble beginnings, victories, setbacks, and development from rookie to champion. Every step of the way I found myself cheering, feeling empathy, and sometimes cringing as I made a close connection to our protagonist, Beth Harmon.
The Bad:
There really isn’t much that I would say is bad about this book. There are a few storylines that I thought might play out differently (view spoiler) and maybe a few opportunities missed. But, not enough to detract from the overall experience
The Chess:
I know how to play chess and how all the pieces move. How long would I last in a chess game? Probably not very long as it has been years since I actually played and, as is reflected in this book, the strategy of those who play a lot is very complex and hard to follow with many, many potential moves needing to be anticipated and prepared for. At times, this book gets deep into describing chess matches and chess strategy. Actually understanding what is going on does not seem to matter, but it does occupy quite a bit of real estate in this book so it is something to be prepared for. If you think pages and pages of chess will not interest you, you can skim and should be fine.
Overall:
I am glad I read this book and I think a lot of people will enjoy it. I am looking forward to checking out the show on Netflix.
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
March 4, 2021
–
Started Reading
March 4, 2021
– Shelved as:
2021
March 4, 2021
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction
March 4, 2021
– Shelved as:
audio
March 4, 2021
– Shelved as:
audible
March 23, 2021
–
Finished Reading
July 17, 2024
– Shelved
Comments Showing 1-28 of 28 (28 new)
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message 1:
by
Terry
(new)
Mar 24, 2021 10:50AM
I really enjoyed the Netflix show, but don’t know how much it follows the book. I’ll be curious what you think.
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I'm reading this right now because I liked the series so much. I'm glad I did because even though the series closely follows the books, it's still a great read!
Terry wrote: "I really enjoyed the Netflix show, but don’t know how much it follows the book. I’ll be curious what you think."My wife liked the show but hasn't read the book. I read the book but haven't watched the show. We make quite a pair!
Matthew, this Netflix show is the best thing Netflix has put out in years, in my opinion. I think you’ll love it!
Matthew wrote: "great review !"Thank you, other Matthew! 😁
The Netflix show is outstanding. Great review Matthew and glad to see the book is also good!
The performances in the netflix show were incredible. Def check that out.
Kandice wrote: "I'm reading this right now because I liked the series so much. I'm glad I did because even though the series closely follows the books, it's still a great read!"I am always glad when they do a good job translating from page to screen!
I enjoyed it as well and felt the series lived up to the book and unlike most Netflix productions. For fans of the series, I've created a series of tee shirts on Amazon too!
Paula W wrote: "Matthew, this Netflix show is the best thing Netflix has put out in years, in my opinion. I think you’ll love it!"Glad you liked it - I have been working through Glow which is pretty good and love Stranger Things. I am excited to see what else Netflix can do!
i reallyyy enjoyed The NETFLIX show, absolutely one of my favorites thank you for this great review !
I watched the Netflix show not yet knowing it was based on a book and loved it. But now having seen it, I can only imagine the chess detail that must be described in the book. I enjoyed watching it but don’t think I’d like reading.
Ginger wrote: "The Netflix show is outstanding. Great review Matthew and glad to see the book is also good!"Another vote for Netflix! It is amazing the quality of content the streaming services put out now. Direct to video used to be an indication that it was no good. Now it is a mark of honor!
rovic wrote: "The performances in the netflix show were incredible. Def check that out."Definitely going to start it once I finish the ones I am working on now.
I haven't watched the movie yet, but reading the book so soon after Endgame: Bobby Fischer's Remarkable Rise and Fall—From America's Brightest Prodigy to the Edge of Madness was not a good decision on my part.
Jonathan wrote: "I enjoyed it as well and felt the series lived up to the book and unlike most Netflix productions. For fans of the series, I've created a series of tee shirts on Amazon too!"Wow! T-shirts for the series, huh? Do you make shirts for lots of things or did you just love this show/book so much you felt you had to do it?
salwa wrote: "i reallyyy enjoyed The NETFLIX show, absolutely one of my favorites thank you for this great review !"
Thanks, salwa! Glad you enjoyed this story.
Theresa (bookbliss925) wrote: "I watched the Netflix show not yet knowing it was based on a book and loved it. But now having seen it, I can only imagine the chess detail that must be described in the book. I enjoyed watching it..."It can be a bit much - I think listening to it instead of reading a physical/ebook copy helped.
Ioana wrote: "I haven't watched the movie yet, but reading the book so soon after Endgame: Bobby Fischer's Remarkable Rise and Fall—From America's Brightest Prodigy to the Edge of Madness was not ..."Too much chess all at once?
I am glad I read the move first, Tevis did an excellent job with the chess, and I did not find it impeded my enjoyment of the book. He did the same in his books The Hustler<-b> and The Color of Money for pool. His books translate well to the movies/tv, and his characters are well drawn. I love the fierce intensity Beth Harmon displays in the book, and her ability to “project� games on to the ceiling during her sleepless nights in the orphanage makes it easier for the reader to understand her game. This is a book I am recommending to everyone, I know I will read it again down the line, which is an earmark of a top level book for me. The series is terrific so far, the writers added some detail about her parents, maybe they thought it would make Harmon more “relatable�, but they have stayed pretty true to the book and characters so far.
Sorry for the bold face, typing seems to have let me down when I typed the titles.
Matthew wrote: "Too much chess all at once?"No, different portrayals of same events/circumstances: the amount of $$ players make, the Russian competition and interactions between players, the role of the Chess Federation, etc.
The show is really good and i do not care about chess. i am sure you will like it.
Kim wrote: "I am glad I read the move first, Tevis did an excellent job with the chess, and I did not find it impeded my enjoyment of the book. He did the same in his books The Hustler and The Color of Money f..."Ha! No worries, Kim! The html code gets outta control sometimes.
I did not realize that he also wrote the books those movies were based on. I am going to to have to check out more of his writing.
Adina wrote: "The show is really good and i do not care about chess. i am sure you will like it."That's great to hear, Adina! Glad you enjoyed the show. Seems to be enjoyed by most - which is a good thing!
Really enjoyed the book, interested in watching the series now!
Suzanne wrote: "Really enjoyed the book, interested in watching the series now!"I still need to give it a try! I do most of my TV watching with my wife, but she watched it last summer when I was as work so I have to find time when I am by myself to watch it.
