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Joanna Chu (The ChuseyReader)'s Reviews > The Queen's Gambit
The Queen's Gambit
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by
Rating: 3.5 rounded up.
Have you ever enjoyed a movie/tv show more than the book?
This is one of the rare occasions where I would say the tv show was better! But I still enjoyed the book. They were very similar however I was hoping to learn more about Beth in the book which I didn’t get.
What I loved:
• I was rooting for Beth all the way, from humble beginnings to a chess champion, it is an uplifting story.
• I loved Beth’s and Mrs Wheatley’s growing relationship. It was very heartwarming. Mrs Wheatley was hilarious and how she would cover for Beth from school with fake diseases.
• The chess tournaments! I don’t think you need to know chess to enjoy this but it might impact you a bit because there were a lot of scenes. If anything it might get you interested and curious to learn! Even though I know how to play (I played in a tournament in primary school and won 3.5/7 games :D) I didn’t understand the strategy but it was still fun and I was on the edge of my seat.
What I wanted more of:
• I was never fully immersed in Beth’s life and felt a bit detached because the story briefly tells you what happens rather than actually experiencing it with her. After a while it became repetitive, Beth would go for a tournament, then filler-like scenes of her life in between before another tournament. I wanted to feel more and experience her ups and downs of growing up however they were a little flat. All of her hardships were overcome very easily and I never questioned whether she would get through it or the impacts on her because they were always shrugged off. For example I was devastated about (view spoiler) but I forgot about it soon after because the story moved on very quickly! It didn’t affect Beth as much as I thought it would. I wanted to get insights and learn more about her than the series but only the chess games were in detail.
• I didn’t fully connect with any of the characters, even Beth. I wanted more depth, but the only thing that defined them was chess and nothing else.
• The ending wasn’t as satisfying as the series, it felt like the end of a chapter and I still wanted more. (view spoiler)
What I didn’t enjoy
• Was anyone shocked about the sexual content at the start of the novel? It was very unnecessary and it was brushed off like nothing happened. It didn’t happen in the series so I was shocked!!
Have you ever enjoyed a movie/tv show more than the book?
This is one of the rare occasions where I would say the tv show was better! But I still enjoyed the book. They were very similar however I was hoping to learn more about Beth in the book which I didn’t get.
What I loved:
• I was rooting for Beth all the way, from humble beginnings to a chess champion, it is an uplifting story.
• I loved Beth’s and Mrs Wheatley’s growing relationship. It was very heartwarming. Mrs Wheatley was hilarious and how she would cover for Beth from school with fake diseases.
• The chess tournaments! I don’t think you need to know chess to enjoy this but it might impact you a bit because there were a lot of scenes. If anything it might get you interested and curious to learn! Even though I know how to play (I played in a tournament in primary school and won 3.5/7 games :D) I didn’t understand the strategy but it was still fun and I was on the edge of my seat.
What I wanted more of:
• I was never fully immersed in Beth’s life and felt a bit detached because the story briefly tells you what happens rather than actually experiencing it with her. After a while it became repetitive, Beth would go for a tournament, then filler-like scenes of her life in between before another tournament. I wanted to feel more and experience her ups and downs of growing up however they were a little flat. All of her hardships were overcome very easily and I never questioned whether she would get through it or the impacts on her because they were always shrugged off. For example I was devastated about (view spoiler) but I forgot about it soon after because the story moved on very quickly! It didn’t affect Beth as much as I thought it would. I wanted to get insights and learn more about her than the series but only the chess games were in detail.
• I didn’t fully connect with any of the characters, even Beth. I wanted more depth, but the only thing that defined them was chess and nothing else.
• The ending wasn’t as satisfying as the series, it felt like the end of a chapter and I still wanted more. (view spoiler)
What I didn’t enjoy
• Was anyone shocked about the sexual content at the start of the novel? It was very unnecessary and it was brushed off like nothing happened. It didn’t happen in the series so I was shocked!!
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Reading Progress
June 6, 2021
– Shelved as:
to-read
June 6, 2021
– Shelved
August 27, 2021
–
Started Reading
September 3, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-36 of 36 (36 new)
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by
Yun
(new)
Sep 03, 2021 11:25PM
Wonderful review, Joanna! Sorry this book didn't quite live up to the tv show. And in answer to your initial question: Yes! Lord of the Rings the movie was so amazing... the books are almost impossible to understand lol! :)
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Thanks Yun. The series followed the book so closely, it even had some similar dialogue too!! Typically I find books have more detail and more insights into the character, but I got nothing new from the book haha, thats ok I still enjoyed it. Yes Lord of the rings is a classic. The books look so intimidating I've never touched them haha.
I agree the TV series was AMAZING. 💖 I don't remember the sexual content at the beginning in the book.. 🤔, with whom?
I listened to the audio and loved it! Maybe it's a novel that is made for performance and not only reading. Great review Joanna!
Well those chess games details were of no use anyway. The description jumped from anywhere to anywhere and no matter how hard you try you will never get the clear vision of the game. PRNs of the games wouldn't have required more than 2 pages. But anyway I enjoyed both book and series. Adaptation had a bit more drama and I'm so glad they didn't include hot scene between Jolene and Beth, it was so offbeat and unnecessary.
Great review, Joanna! Sounds like I’m better off just enjoying the tv show. Glad you mostly enjoyed this!
@Kay - YES! One of my favourite tv shows now. Maybe a good thing you dont remember the sexual content haha. (view spoiler)
@Barbara - Thank you! I've seen quite a few people say the same thing that audible was more enjoyable. Glad you enjoyed it too :)
@Hitesh - Oooh you're a chess player?! I've been curious to see what other chess players thought of this, I'm glad its not just me who couldnt get the strategy haha! The series is a solid 10/10 for me!!! Yeah I'm glad that scene wasn't in the series, seriously no point to it!
@Jasmine - Thank you :). This was still a good book and I'd recommend! But I didnt really get much more from it compared to the series.
Great review Joanna, has made me want to read before watching. Thank you
Good book and good movie!
Thanks Edgarr! One good thing about watching the series first is that I could picture the scenes in my mind while reading! Let met know your thoughts on the book and series! :)
Agreed Barbi!! But I loved the series more, I love how everyone got together behind Beth in the end :')
Enjoyed your review Joanna! I have yet to read this or watch the series!
Thanks you Holly! :). I definitely recommend the series, one of my favourites now! The book was also enjoyable :). Let me know if you ever get to it.
I really liked reading your review. I saw the Series on TV and really liked it. I’ve been meaning to read the book for a while. Glad you liked it and thanks for going through the good and bad points.
Great review Joanna!
@Kristine - Aww thank you so much, thats so kind of you. I loved the series, one of my favourites! Let me know what you think of the book when you get to it :)
@Lori - Thank you! :)
I completely agree that the Netflix series ending was much more satisfying. Terrific review, Joanna!
Joanna Chu (The ChuseyReader) wrote: "@Kristine - Aww thank you so much, thats so kind of you. I loved the series, one of my favourites! Let me know what you think of the book when you get to it :)"Yes, will give you an update. I did love the series so much. So, probably my expectations are too high.
Thank you Nancy! Yes definitely! I kept on waiting for more people to show up haha! Aw well overall a good book still.
@Kristine - Its one of my favourite series now!! But I definitely still enjoyed the book because they're so similar, I could imagine scenes of the tv show when I was reading so that was fun! Definitely a few small differences that made a big difference but still a good read :).
Joanna Chu (The ChuseyReader) wrote: "@Kristine - Its one of my favourite series now!! But I definitely still enjoyed the book because they're so similar, I could imagine scenes of the tv show when I was reading so that was fun! Defini..."Thanks, as always for your comments.
I came to the reviews looking for someone else who found the Jolene sex thing weird and unnecessary. I can see why the show cut it out. Especially creepy given that the author is male. :(
Super weird and un-necessary!! I'm so glad they didn't include it in the show because it did nothing but weirded me out.
Thank you Jayson :) Hope you're enjoying your current read!
I found the sexual encounter to be very racist in the implication of demonizing a young black girl. VERY unnecessary especially written by a white male.
@Amy - Agreed, totally un-necessary! I was so shocked especially having watched the TV show first.
I really liked this book. I agree with the weird sexual content. I didn’t understand why it was included either. I have never watched the series but would like to now.
@Leslie - Glad you enjoyed it too!! Omg let me know when you watch the show and what you think of it!! It stays very close to the book so I think you should like it :D.
Yess!! I totally agree with you. that scene in the beginning shocked me for real. i have a friend who stopped reading it because of that. i am happy i didn't act like that, but still, it was awful. i am glad they didn't include that in the series
@Bogi - Yeah I was sooooo surprised! Especially since the tv show didn't have any such scene. Shame your friend stopped since its a good book but I can definitely understand why. Glad you still enjoyed it :)
"I came to the reviews looking for someone else who found the Jolene sex thing weird and unnecessary."She's a traumatized orphan, I didn't find it unbelievable. The show ruined Jolene's character making her the Black Best Friend who gives thousands to Beth expecting nothing in return.
