We read this in our international online book club in November 2024.
I knew there was a TV series with that title and I thought this might be interesting.
Well, it wasn't. I know how to play chess but this was too professional for me. Someone who doesn't play chess at all might get bored even quickly. There was too much talk about the game, too many details.
And while I felt sorry for the little orphan, I didn't like the person she grew into, a selfish, addicted girl, too many drugs, too much sex, just not my thing. And none of the other characters were lovable, either, except for maybe the caretaker who teaches chess to Beth.
Comments by other members:
- I started listening to the audiobook, I even tried two different narrators but couldn't really get into the story. I will try reading it at some point, but right now I have too much else going on.
- I ended up hearing it as audiobook and it was an excellent listening experience. The different themes like addiction, family traumas and relationships were very lightly touched, but made for an easy entertaining experience. I got quite into the different chess-drama and main characters internal monologue about the games despite knowing nothing much about chess. Would recommend and considering giving the TV series a chance based on how much I enjoyed the book.
- At first I did feel some frustration that the book only skimmed, for example; the relationship with the children's home staff, adoptive parents, and her relationships with other chess players and eventually the issue about addiction and how to deal with it... I do not believe having a not-that-close old friend take you to the gym, to in any way solve the issue. Other subjects: Giftedness in children and adults, and gender equality in life and sports, religion, etc. But then I thought, if the book had gone deeper into these issues then it wouldn't have been a book about chess at all. And not that kind of easy read about chess at all, and learning and competing and winning.
From the back cover:
"When she is sent to an orphanage at the age of eight, Beth Harmon soon discovers two ways to escape her surroundings, albeit fleetingly: playing chess and taking the little green pills given to her and the other children to keep them subdued. Before long, it becomes apparent that hers is a prodigious talent, and as she progresses to the top of the US chess rankings she is able to forge a new life for herself. But she can never quite overcome her urge to self-destruct. For Beth, there’s more at stake than merely winning and losing."
I've been intrigued by this one because of the chess element, but it's too bad the main character turns out to be so selfish and unlikable. I think I might pass on this one after all.
ReplyDeleteSounds like I put off everyone, Lark. Sorry. It just wasn't my thing.
DeleteAlas, I don't play chess either
ReplyDeleteWell, I know the basic rules and can play against someone who knows the basic rules but this was too technical for me, Emma.
DeleteThis is on my 'eventually' list... I read his novel about competitive pool and wasn't hugely impressed. I do struggle with books where you don't like or care about *any* of the characters!
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised, Kitten. Your description of his other book sounds very much like this one.
DeleteI ended up liking the TV adaptation, but I had no desire to read the book. The main character was pretty tough to be around, but I found her story compelling. That said, I found the chess strategy interesting, but I can imagine the book would have bored me with too much chess!
ReplyDeleteSometimes, the film or in this case the TV series is better than the book, this might be the case here. Maybe they made the character more likeable. And yes, too much detail for a novel.
DeleteOooo, books that are too technical can be a bit much! I know a bit about chess playing as a newbie, but if if the topic is too technical/professional, then, ugh, no thanks!
ReplyDeleteSame as me, Lisa. I suppose we could play together. I like information in a book but not this.
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