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The Queen's Gambit

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The Queen's Gambit

Written by: Walter Tevis
Narrated by: Amy Landon
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Engaging and fast-paced, this gripping coming-of-age novel of chess, feminism, and addiction speeds to a conclusion as elegant and satisfying as a mate in four.

Eight-year-old orphan Beth Harmon is quiet, sullen, and by all appearances unremarkable. That is, until she plays her first game of chess. Her senses grow sharper, her thinking clearer, and for the first time in her life she feels herself fully in control.

By the age of 16, she's competing for the US Open championship. But as Beth hones her skills on the professional circuit, the stakes get higher, her isolation grows more frightening, and the thought of escape becomes all the more tempting.

©2018 Walter Tevis (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Adaptation Chess Biography
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fantastic! I had already watched the series so knew the story but still found myself mesmerized by the chess and rooting for Beth.

Fabulous book, superbly read.

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I mean, I guess 4 stars? I picked this up as the Audible freebie of the month. I found it exceptionally stressful and ended up listening at 3.5 speed to finish as fast as possible.
Objectively a good book, but I didn't exactly enjoy it. There was an underlying feeling of misery and tension throughout that just left me feeling clammy and uncomfortable. So yeah, not the book for me, but I can't really say anything negative about it.

not for me

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I have never played a game of chess in my life and didn’t understand the moves but I loved this book, a story of overcoming fear and challenges, addiction and insecurity. Fabulous.

Compelling

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I don’t like chess, but this book made it exciting and I couldn’t wait to read more.

Thrilling

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Totally enjoyed this book!! I am going to watch the series now! I haven't a clue how to play chess and even after listening to this I still don't.

Great book!

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