Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Queen's Gambit
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
135 posts | 136 read | 4 reading | 73 to read
Beth Harmon becomes an orphan when her parents are killed in an automobile accident. At eight years old, she is placed in an orphanage in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, where the children are given a tranquilliser twice a day. Plain and shy, she learns to play chess from the janitor in the basement and discovers that she is a chess genius. She is adopted by Alma and Allston Wheatley and goes to a local school, but remains an outsider. Desperate to study chess and having no money, she steals a chess magazine from a newspaper store and then some money from Alma Wheatley and a girl at school, so that she can enter a tournament. She also steals some of the tranquillisers to which she is becoming addicted. At thirteen she wins the tournament, and by sixteen she is competing in the US Open Championship. Like Fast Eddie (in The Hustler), she hates to lose.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
jdiehr
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image
Pickpick

I loved the Netflix series and was delighted to read the book.

This is a wonderful story about a young orphan finding her passion and herself.

Somehow, the descriptions of the game of chess were engaging - even for someone like me who has never played.

Do you play chess?

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I loved this series! ♟️ 2mo
34 likes1 comment
review
K.Wielechowski
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image
Pickpick

When 8 yr old Beth‘s parents are killed in a car crash, she is sent to an orphanage where she struggles to acclimate, develops a dependency on tranquilizers, & discovers a talent for chess. When her adopted mother realizes her talent (& the prize money she can win), she supports Beth‘s desire to compete.
Throughout the book, Beth struggles with substance abuse, loss, & competing in a “man‘s” sport.
You don‘t have to know chess to enjoy this book.

blurb
AmyG
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

Thank you my sweet friend. I opened this for Hanukkah. I am so excited to read this book as I loved the Netflix series. Those book earrings!!!!! ❤️ All the fun goodies. 😘

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Soubhiville Great earrings! 4mo
Hooked_on_books Those earrings are the bomb! 📚 4mo
Q84 Where are those earrings from @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @AmyG 4mo
Teresereading Love the earrings 4mo
60 likes5 comments
blurb
TheBookHippie
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

#TWO4Tuesday

1. Scrabble ♥️

2. Tagged book was good as was the Netflix ♟️

TheBookHippie Thanks for the tag @BookwormAHN ♥️ 4mo
TheSpineView 💜 Scrabble too! Thanks for playing 4mo
WJCintron Chess, indeed. 4mo
See All 6 Comments
WJCintron Life of Bobby Fisher. The Queen‘s Gambit 4mo
BookwormAHN Nice 🩶🤍🩶 4mo
36 likes1 stack add6 comments
blurb
AllDebooks
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView

Thanks for the tag @BookwormAHN

1. Monopoly or chess
2. Tagged. Great book and tv series 👌

BookwormAHN A lot of people are enjoying that, I may need to put it in my tbr 🤍 4mo
TheSpineView Have not seen the TV version but loved the book. Thanks for playing 4mo
33 likes2 comments
blurb
Kshakal
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

Thanks for the tag @TheSpineView

#two4tuesday

1. I love the game sequence
2. Tagged

@BethM @peaKnit @JenReadsAlot

peaKnit Thank you for the tag! I love Sequence also! I wish I knew more adults who would be into a game night:) 4mo
TheSpineView My grandkids love Sequence. Thanks for playing 4mo
25 likes2 comments
blurb
Gissy
Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

#AutumnPlease Day 14
#Nat.ChessDay
@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

This is the Spanish version of this book. It was a gift, still I want the English version

Eggs Well done 👍🏼 5mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Love this one!! ♟️ 5mo
27 likes2 comments
blurb
BarkingMadRead
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image
Eggs Beautiful 🖤♟️❤️ 5mo
34 likes1 comment
blurb
JuliaTheBookNerd
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

#Nat.ChessDay ♟️ #AutumnPlease 👻🎃🕷️🤍🧡🖤

#BookNerd 🤓📚💙

Eggs Interesting premise/great choice!! 5mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Loved this one! 5mo
38 likes2 comments
quote
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

“Chess isn't always competitive. Chess can also be beautiful.”

#NatChessDay
#AutumnPlease

♟️♟️♟️

Eggs This book is a popular choice today🖤♟️❤️ 5mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I knew it would be! I loved the series too! 5mo
51 likes2 comments
blurb
TheSpineView
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image
Eggs Excellent 🖤♟️❤️ 5mo
TheSpineView @Eggs 👍🤩🌞 5mo
43 likes2 comments
blurb
IndoorDame
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

Geniuses and artists are always willing to #GoTheExtraMile for their craft even though that often borders on an unhealthy obsession. #IdiomInsight @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

Eggs Perfect ♟️ 7mo
59 likes1 comment
review
bthegood
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image
Bailedbailed

It's me - this is the second time I have picked up this book. The first time I put it back on my TBR. I start strong - really enjoying it, and then lose interest.

#BookSpinBingo (sort of 🙄)

Make a great day everyone - 🙂

blurb
bthegood
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

Finished 3 books during #JubilantJuly - thanks for hosting @Andrew65

Family in town since Wednesday (until August 7th) - so pleased that I did so well. Hope to get a #BookSpinBingo by the end of the month -

Make a great day everyone 🙂

Andrew65 That‘s excellent. Well done and thanks for taking part. 👏👏👏🙌🥳🍾🥂 8mo
33 likes1 comment
review
Enchanted_Bibliophile
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image
Pickpick

4✨

Enjoyed this one way more than I thought I would.
I'm not a chess player and was concerned that half of the book would go over my head. So I skeptically got the audio and was very surprised to find I didn't had to know anything about chess to enjoy Beth's journey. This was tense and inspiring.

44 likes1 stack add
blurb
Enchanted_Bibliophile
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

I've got a busy weekend ahead of me, but I'm gonna try to get my 20hours of reading in.
Here's some books I plan to tackle

#20in4 #ReadAThon
@Andrew65

Andrew65 Looks like a good 4 days ahead, good luck 😁 9mo
43 likes1 comment
blurb
IndoorDame
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

#Queen #MayMontage This was one of my top reads of last year, AND the Netflix adaptation was killer! @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Amiable Yes! Both the book and the series were excellent. 10mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Loved this one!! 👑 ♟️ ❤️ 10mo
Eggs Well done 👍🏼 10mo
59 likes1 stack add3 comments
blurb
IndoorDame
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

My favorite casting of any book #AdaptedToANetflixSeries. Anya Taylor-Joy IS Beth Harmon! #MarchMagic @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

LaraReads Never read the book, but the show was fantastic! 13mo
IndoorDame @LaraReads so is the book!!! Well worth reading! 13mo
Eggs Perfection 👍🏼👌🏼 13mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I haven‘t read the cook but I loved the series! I may watch it again 🖤 13mo
63 likes4 comments
blurb
TheSpineView
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

#Movie2BookRecs @klou
Prompt: Queen of Katwe

Klou Awesome! 1y
54 likes2 comments
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

🧡tagged!
🧡Kate Quinn
🧡Quantum Leap
🧡Queen
🧡Quit Playing Games With My Heart Backstreet Boys 🎤🎼

#ManicMonday on Tuesday!!

review
MeatPiie
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image
Pickpick

📩 March 2nd, 2022
Wow.
I watched the Netflix adaptation first, but having read the book I can tell you that the adaptation is reaaaally close to the book!
I liked having more details on Beth, as well as seeing some differences in some scenes :)
I recommend it!

blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

I haven‘t read this yet, but I‘ve watched it and it was fantastic!!

#Alphabetgame
#letterq

Everyone is tagged!!

vivastory I was reminded today that Tevis also wrote the book for the Bowie adaptation 2y
AllDebooks Oh I loved this show so much x 2y
57 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
Wife
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image
Pickpick

Netflix series was brilliant. I loved the actors, sets, and costumes. I liked the book almost as well. 3/5♟s

I finished my “Q” book before “P” in my #alphabetchallenge from my shelves. I needed a smaller book to travel.

TheBookHippie I have the book setting here to read this summer! I loved the series on Netflix! Now I will have to push it up the list! 2y
33 likes1 comment
review
JuliaTheBookNerd
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image
Bailedbailed

I tried to read this book but I just couldn‘t get into it and ended up bailing about 50 pages in 😬 It does fit today‘s prompt #AboutAddiction though ☺️ I know a bunch of people loved this book, it just wasn‘t for me.

#BookMoods 😊❤️📚

#BookNerd 🤓💙📚

Eggs Perfect 👍🏼 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Great choice! I enjoyed the movie 🎥 2y
51 likes2 comments
review
WorldsOkayestStepMom
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image
Pickpick

I know very little about chess, but this book was so engrossing for me! I read half of it in one sitting (staying up way too late to do so). The edition I have needs an editor, and that was a bit distracting. Overall, the book makes me want to watch the Netflix series just to keep going.

review
mobill76
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
Mehso-so

I'm not a genius but I think most books about geniuses get it wrong. Being a genius does not make you inherently good at math or physics or chess or anything. If you are gifted and have a passion and an environment that can encourage and recognize you, then the sky's the limit. This book was not believable. Even Bobby Fischer took longer than this to develop. And he ate, drank, and slept chess. The writing was ok. The chess was sloppy.

5 likes1 stack add
review
Emilymdxn
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image
Pickpick

I never quite got round to watching the Netflix show, but I started the book on impulse and I loved it SO much. I haven‘t found a literary novel this compelling for a long time. I found the writing beautiful but never taxing to get through, and despite knowing next to nothing about chess I found the writing about chess so gorgeous. Beth was a phenomenal protagonist. Even when she did very frustrating things I always felt I understood her

mobill76 I just so-so'd the same book. I liked Beth a lot. I wish she wasn't fictional. I hope someone reads this book to a little girl who is gifted and inspired to compete at that level. I probably don't play any better than the author and I find master level chess completely baffling. I find women baffling, too. This felt too easy. I could've/should've learned more from this book. Viva la femme chess revolucion, though. 2y
71 likes3 stack adds1 comment
review
104_goodbuddyy
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
Mehso-so

I enjoyed reading it, but it definitely is a more visual type of story. If you don't understand chess, you would probably have difficulty following along. I had a hard time caring for Beth and the book didn't really ever resolve her addiction, but nonetheless it was a good read. Just not for everyone.

blurb
xicanti
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

Did some #audiocooking. I‘m a bit divided on THE QUEEN‘S GAMBIT. I find it fascinating as a sports story and it‘s been interesting to see how it compares to the show, but I‘m not a fan of Walter Tevis‘s contraction-free narrative. (He does use contractions in his dialogue.) It‘s choppy and stilted to my ear, and the narrator‘s delivery doesn‘t help. I think maybe she and I both have the wrong accent for what Tevis hears in his head as he writes.

review
IuliaC
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image
Pickpick

I know just some basic chess moves and still found it very entertaining, I imagine it must be fascinating for chess lovers!♟️♟️♟️
I binge watched the TV show right after I finished the book.

Happy World Book Day and International Writers' Day! 📚

WJCintron LOVED both the book and the series!! Love chess!! 😃 2y
IuliaC @WJCintron me too 👍 although I'm a terrible chess player 🙈 2y
64 likes2 comments
blurb
Macnjen
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

I'd seen the tv series, and then just listened to it. The story really was better for me, visually. In the audio the chess moves are spoken, which, was beyond me. The story is mostly the same, and while I enjoyed the story, the narration is very stilted and sounded almost computer generated. So, overall, maybe print is better, but I think for once, I liked the visual production over the audio. #litsyAtoZ Q.

13 likes2 stack adds
review
Lynnsoprano
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image
Pickpick

I enjoyed this, although I think if I knew what all the chess moves were that the author described, I‘d have gotten more out of it. Still, a fascinating story. No pictures that are anywhere near pertinent, so one from a walk at the nature center last week.

CBee Have you watched the series? It‘s excellent! 2y
Lynnsoprano @cbee. Yes, I did, and loved it. It‘s one of the few instances where I think the series might be better than the book. 2y
See All 6 Comments
CBee @Lynnsoprano in a way, I think I chose not to read the book because the series was just that good! 2y
Suet624 Just watching the series again for the second time. So good. 2y
ValerieAndBooks I have this somewhere in my TBR! Haven‘t watched the series yet. 2y
51 likes6 comments
blurb
Lynnsoprano
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

This was an Amazon Kindle deal last week, and I snatched it up. Almost halfway through after starting it yesterday. One of the rare times when I‘ve seen the tv series before reading the book. Enjoyed the series, loving the book.

EvieBee It always feels great to finish a book shortly after buying it, right?! 2y
68 likes1 comment
blurb
TheBookHippie
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

Sale on the book the Netflix series was based on

43 likes1 stack add
blurb
IndoorDame
post image
Clwojick Yes!!! ❤️❤️ 2y
50 likes1 comment
blurb
IndoorDame
post image
Clwojick ❤️❤️❤️ 2y
40 likes1 comment
review
IndoorDame
post image
Pickpick

This was fabulous! I have only the most basic understanding of chess, and I doubt I would have needed even that to understand or appreciate this. Many chess stories follow similar themes like a child grows up and realizes they‘re no longer a prodigy , or a woman in a man‘s world… I think I fell in love with this story because at its heart it‘s not about one simple thing that can be distilled down to a single sentence.

Cinfhen I read this last year and was amazed at how gripping the story was!!! Then I watched the series. Equally compelling!!! Awesome pick 2y
IndoorDame @Cinfhen I‘m definitely looking forward to watching the series! 2y
LibrarianRyan @IndoorDame I loved the series and the actress did a great job. 2y
60 likes2 stack adds4 comments
blurb
IndoorDame
post image

Beth learned of her mother‘s death from a woman with a clipboard.

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

blurb
Clwojick
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

Woop woop! The label on the alcohol bottle almost matched this colour perfectly! #Pantone2022

mhillis Nice!! 2y
63 likes1 comment
blurb
Clwojick
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

About halfway through this book so far, and absolutely flying through it! It‘s also a perfect match for this picture of #AestheticallyMatched! Woohoo!

#Jumpstart2022 @Lizpixie

AkashaVampie Is it as good as the show?? I really did like the show 2y
Clwojick @AkashaVampie I just finished it and gave it 5 stars! 😆 I only watched a couple episodes of the show, and really enjoyed it, but I hardly ever watch tv so I didn‘t keep up with it. My husband loved the show. (edited) 2y
62 likes2 comments
blurb
TheSpineView
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

#12Booksof2021 @Andrew65

My favorite book of February was The Queen's Gambit. I could read this book again. Still haven't seen the movie.

Graywacke The series is terrific - cinematically terrific. But I haven‘t read the book. (edited) 2y
Andrew65 A good choice. 2y
TheSpineView @Graywacke I will get to it one day. 2y
56 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
peanutnine
Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image
Pickpick

This was my bookclub's pick for the month. I enjoyed it more than I expected. I was worried that the chess descriptions would be technical and boring but the author gave a sense of how the game was going without knowing the position of the pieces. I was drawn in by the story of the young orphan and her internal struggles to make a place for herself in the competitive world of chess. I might actually watch the Netflix series now.

37 likes4 comments
review
Allthebookclubs
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
Bailedbailed

Quick rant.

I‘m a social worker and specialize in child sexual assault, so I‘m gonna need a trigger warning for child sex abuse books. I can handle it well at work, I‘ve been doing this for 15 years. But I‘m not a fan of reading about it in my personal life. I wasn‘t expecting it in The Queen‘s Gambit and I def won‘t be watching the tv show.

End rant.

review
Roary47
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image
Panpan

2✨ The first chapter was hard to read. After that it had sprinklings of sexuality that I felt wasn‘t needed at all. Like we could say she was maturing without what was stated. The story was pretty good, and I wanted Beth to get a real win. I just had a hard time liking this book as a whole. The series follows the book really well so I didn‘t see much more depth that I was hoping to find.

review
joja1la
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
Mehso-so
blurb
AmyG
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

@catiewithac Ha…what a great card!!! I am saving this one. Thank you so much for the lovely wishes, my friend. 😘

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Love it!! 🖤🤍 2y
Bookwormjillk Amazing 🤩 2y
66 likes2 comments
review
mjtwo
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image
Pickpick

18-20 Oct 2021 (audiobook)
A young orphan enters the world of competitive chess during the Cold War era but battles with self doubt and substance abuse.
Despite only a rudimentary knowledge (and interest) in chess and disliking the narrator, I found this riveting. Beth was fundamentally a flawed character - obsessive, self-centred, non-communicative, and incapable of empathy. Yet I did wish her success.
Time to watch the Netflix series now.

blurb
re-be
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
post image

Done! Haven't finished a book so fast in a long while. On to the next one!

3 likes2 stack adds