Black & White: The Rise and Fall of Bobby Fischer by Julian Voloj

I am addicted to playing chess! I joined Duolingo last year and I have started learning better chess strategies through Duolingo. I also enjoy playing chess games with other people around the world via the Duolingo app.

Because of my (relatively new) found love of playing chess, I couldn't pass up reading Black & White: The Rise and Fall of Bobby Fischer by Julian Voloj. 

Prior to reading Black & White: The Rise and Fall of Bobby Fischer by Julian Voloj, I'd heard about Bobby Fischer. But honestly, I didn't know much about his life other than he was a US chess protege and chess grand master.

Black & White: The Rise and Fall of Bobby Fischer is a rather quick read as it is a graphic novel/work of nonfiction. I liked the artwork for this book and I definitely learned a lot about Bobby Fischer. It was definitely sad to learn that he fell victim to mental illness and that he also fell for conspiracy theories. This is such a tragedy as Bobby Fischer was such a talented chess player.

I am giving Black & White: The Rise and Fall of Bobby Fischer by Julian Voloj a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

 

The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis

 

I first learned about The Queen's Gambit from the promotion of the Netflix miniseries of the novel. I didn't initially know that the Netflix miniseries was based on a novel until some time later on. By the way, I still haven't watched the Netflix series, but my husband and I plan to do so now that I've read the novel.

I chose to listen to the unabridged audio version of The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis, which is well narrated by Amy Landon. I am a beginner chess player and truly enjoyed the storyline, which focuses on chess as one of the major topics.

Walter Tevis is a new to me author. I loved the pacing and writing for The Queen's Gambit. The character building and plot development are well done and definitely kept my interest throughout the entire novel. 

I also liked leading character, Beth Harmon. As a young girl, Beth is orphaned early in life and is sent to live in a religious orphanage in Kentucky. While at the orphanage, Beth begins learning to play chess at 8 years old from a janitor at the orphanage. She quickly becomes a prodigy at playing chess. 

Beth is eventually adopted around the age of 12 years old and goes on to live an unorthodox lifestyle with her adoptive parent. Beth starts playing in chess tournaments shortly after being adopted and winning tournaments with ease. Additionally, Beth is able to earn big money from her winnings at chess tournaments.

The Queen's Gambit isn't just about chess though. It's also a coming of age novel. It's also about addiction as Beth initially becomes addicted to prescription pills while at the orphanage. Later on in life, Beth has issues with alcohol consumption as well.

We also see the loneliness and social awkwardness Beth endures throughout the novel and seeing her try to fit in while pursing her passion for playing chess. We read a lot about Beth's growth as a chess player, which leads her to the upper echelons of the chess world. Beth becomes a household name as a chess player and plays against world champion chess players.

Politics, religion, and feminism are all topics that are touched upon in The Queen's Gambit as well, which makes this novel a multilayered one to read. I look forward to reading other novels by Walter Tevis.

Below is the publishers summary for The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis from Chirp's website:

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. Now the basis for a highly acclaimed, award-winning Netflix series.

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 sixteen, she is 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.

I am giving The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!