Rating: 4.5 Stars
I wanted to read the book, The Queen’s Gambit, before I watched the Netflix series, this was the driving force for me. It was published in 1983, and since that time it has probably languished on shelves everywhere, until recently. I knew of the author, Tevis, from the film The Color of Money. So I was not surprised that another of his works is now on film. What did surprise me was how much I was drawn into the world of chess and how I loved the main character Beth.
Beth Harmon is an orphan and a chess prodigy. We follow her life at an orphanage in Kentucky where she lives until she is adopted by a family. Shortly after the adoption, her new father deserts them. These events, along with her genius, shape who she will become as an adult. She will struggle to connect with people and find her place in the world, all the while she is rising to stardom in the male dominated world of chess.
Beth is a complex character. As she grows up and we delve deeper into the character, the author builds one subtle layer on top of another. At times, she is a contradiction. She is strong, yet also weak and driven by the one thing she truly understands, chess. The author’s character development is so perfect as to supersede the plot by leaps and bounds.
The plot, however, is not lacking either. Beth sets out at a very young age to be the world chess champion. This one goal not only defines her, it consumes her and she has many obstacles thrown in her way as she works toward this goal.
The last thing I would like to point out is the prose. Yes, there is an awesome character and a great plot and it is all held together by the wonderfully, descriptive prose. So elegant and readable. The story would not be half as captivating without the stunning prose. It made all the difference.
At the heart, this is a coming-of-age story. The author uses chess at a plot tool but it could have easily been something else. The story examines the price Beth pays for her genius. How it makes her a loner and how she uses drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. The story also delves into depression and the how to survive and even thrive in a world dominated by men.
I recommend this to people who love a character driven, coming-of-age story. It will especially appeal to those who love the game of chess. In addition, this would make an excellent choice for a book club because there are so many topics to discuss that are still relevant today.