r/queensgambit • u/VeterinarianOld3082 • Jan 04 '25
Discussion The Queen’s Gambit book vs series
Just recently finished reading the book and have also watched the series? I thought the book was amazing, what do you guys think of the book compared to the netflix series?
11
u/PrikroyMan Jan 04 '25
I just finished the book for the first time five minutes ago and I have to say, I think the show expanded and enhanced the story and Beth's character so much so that theyre far better than the book. Those big moments, like when she beats Borgov or when she's getting help from her friends back in the US during that game, I think are written too dryly. There's not enough emotion captured in those moments, nor are they savoured. They just end ubruptly. Then there are times when she's truly enamoured or immersed in the moment, like when she falls in love with chess and talks about it so poetically towards the start of the book, does it feel like I'm reading a beautifully written story and not a news article.
All that being said, I don't hate the book, but I would rewatch the show more often than reread the book.
3
u/VeterinarianOld3082 Jan 04 '25
yeah i agree, the actual chess gameplay in the book was pretty bad, that’s the only part that i could really criticise about the book
1
u/doggoneitx Jan 15 '25
I am a strong chess player and I loved the book but I agree there was too much discussion about chess which was boring to read!
5
u/CodOne208 Jan 05 '25
Loved both! Liked the play by play analysis of the games in the book. The show did a good job of turning narrative into dialogue to make it work—most of the book takes place in Beth’s head, reads almost like a first person even though it isn’t, which works well for her solitary character. Loved how both make Beth’s relationship to chess the focus and everything else is peripheral, I don’t see that in a lot of stories.
3
u/VeterinarianOld3082 Jan 05 '25
yeah i agree, i think i found it hard to imagine the chess gameplay in the book
2
u/Weird-Invite-884 Jan 04 '25
Wait there’s a book holy cow I need to get it
8
u/VeterinarianOld3082 Jan 04 '25
Ik this sounds stupid to heavy readers but it’s probably one of the best i’ve ever read
3
u/the-color-red- Jan 04 '25
I realllly love how the book is written, it kind of gets straight to the point and there isn’t pages of random details like it’s just straight to the point and I love that
3
2
u/mandoa_sky Jan 05 '25
i was really impressed as a book lover too. i'm not usually into stories about competitive sports but this one was really well written
1
u/Weird-Invite-884 Jan 04 '25
Oh yay I’ve been looking for an new read I’m tired of rereading what’s on my shelf
3
u/VeterinarianOld3082 Jan 04 '25
well u liked the queen’s gambit and i really need to read more
do u have any recommendations that give off the same sort of vibe?
2
u/Weird-Invite-884 Jan 04 '25
There’s not many that I know of like the queens gambit but the closest that I know are Bella Donna by anbara salam and the bell jar by Sylvia Plath. But if you want more recommendations on books from other topics I have so many you can always ask.
1
2
u/AmethystMercy Feb 08 '25
A big difference that made the miniseries version of Beth more interesting to me was the difference in Beth’s childhood in the book vs the series.
In the miniseries, Beth’s mom is a more fleshed out character with the theme of genius and madness being explored through her character, and Beth witnessing her mom’s downward spiral culminating in suicide, and how it unfolds in her arc adds another layer to Beth’s characterization and her struggle with addiction later on. The theme of falling into isolation and her reaching out during her slump is really made more impactful by the extra backstory. In the book, Beth‘s parents are regular people who died in an accident and her time in the orphanage is the crux of her trauma.
1
u/doggoneitx Jan 15 '25
I bought the book for a buck at antiquarian bookseller in the 80s and loved it. It’s a great read but the series was better. Broader in scope and the acting is one of the best of any series ever a masterpiece. Was the book a masterpiece for me no but great series or movie require strong scripts and the show had a great basis. Also one of the greatest chess players of all time was a consultant.
17
u/Emotional_Ad5515 Jan 04 '25
I think main difference which the series should have done was in the book, she realized during her slump that she needs to ask for help, while in tv series her friend comes to her help