October 23rd 2020 birthed the coming of age Netflix phenomenon, The Queen's Gambit. The mini-series is based on Walter Tevis' 1983 novel of the same name and was an instant success upon its release. This review is targeted toward Tevis' novel, however, I will also refer to the Netflix adaptation to make my mixed reactions clear.
Said to be influenced by the life of American chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer, The Queen's Gambit introduces Beth Harmon, a young chess prodigy keen to break into the patriarchal realm of competitive chess. Beth is an audacious, intrepid talent whose ambition propels her to progress up the ladder and break through the strong gender divisions that seek to limit her. Tevis beautifully constructs a notoriously vigilant character with a dark past, whose story continues to inspire readers and audiences alike. Themes of addiction, loss and courage are impeccably drawn upon, with Tevis also creating carefully chosen characters that help drive the novel forward. Anya Taylor-Joy stars as Beth in the Netflix adaptation, splendidly bringing the character to life. In many ways, I feel as though seeing the characters on screen distinctly builds upon Tevis' foundations. Right up until the very end, the Netflix adaptation simply evokes more emotion and truly elevates Beth's eventual successes. Many of Tevis' characters are tweaked to develop friendships and relationships, giving them more of a purpose and allowing for a more satisfying and enkindling ending. Jolene, Benny Watts, Beltik and Mr Shaibel in particular are much more memorable in the mini-series due to their revised influences on Beth's life. This is also the case for Beth's character, as I believe she too is best developed on screen. Whilst the series is highly explicit about Beth's rejection of her surrounding support, descending rapidly into alcoholism, the novel at times portrays Beth as entirely alone with a board of just 64 squares:
“She was alone, and she liked it. It was the way she had learned everything important in her life.”
This is part of the reason why I believe the novel is at many times rather lacklustre in comparison to the series' portrayal of a flawed, relatable heroine. Anya Taylor-Joy expertly heightens Beth's suffering and rejection of what is around her, simply making her decline more heartfelt and meaningful. This allows Beth's comeback and championship-deciding match against Borgov to be more intense and sincere, as it genuinely feels as though Beth has eloquently defied the odds. Equally, I believe that although the novel sends out a strong message, Beth's journey towards success is rather tiresome and loquacious. This is largely due to Tevis' excessive use of chess notation throughout the novel. Tevis includes lengthy descriptions of full chess matches that are rather difficult to follow unless you are a chess grandmaster yourself, subsequently slowing the pace of the novel down. This makes much of the novel rather forgettable as Beth will inevitably win the majority of the novel's early matches. The series typically uses these games to instead highlight and expand on Beth's egotistical persona, thus making her character more developed and congenial. Beth's matches are therefore far more enjoyable on screen, allowing for many memorable scenes that the novel simply doesn't compensate for.
Overall, I believe there is a lot to take from Walter Tevis' message in The Queen's Gambit. However, it is a story best portrayed on screen, notably due to the self-inflicted restrictions that Tevis imposes on himself through writing such a novel. The entire cast of the Netflix mini-series truly brings The Queens Gambit to life, with far more memorable characters, an engaging and unpredictable plot and a consistent craving to watch the next episode. Therefore, Tevis' novel is by no means a failure, it's just that the series is a world-renowned success.
Stay in the know, and check out what I've been reading on The Storygraph:
challenging, dark, hopeful, inspiring, reflective, slow-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25/5
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