51 pages • 1 hour read
The Queen's Gambit
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
243
Novel • Fiction
United States • 1950s-1960s
1983
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis follows a young woman named Beth Harmon who develops exceptional skills in chess. Raised in an orphanage, Beth navigates personal challenges while pursuing a promising career in the competitive chess world. The novel explores themes of ambition, addiction, and the quest for identity and belonging.
Contemplative
Challenging
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
147,322 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis is praised for its compelling narrative and well-crafted character development, particularly the protagonist's journey in the male-dominated chess world. Critics commend the detailed portrayal of the chess landscape and psychological depth. Some note a predictable plot and underdeveloped secondary characters, but overall, it remains a gripping read.
Who Should Read The Queen's Gambit?
Fans of The Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis typically relish character-driven narratives and psychological depth. Similar to readers of Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay or Tartt's The Goldfinch, they appreciate themes of genius, struggle, and perseverance against personal and external challenges.
147,322 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
243
Novel • Fiction
United States • 1950s-1960s
1983
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.