This three-book Walter Tevis collection features three of his most famously adapted works, including The Queen’s Gambit, The Hustler and The Colour of Money.
The Queen's Gambit introduces us to Beth as a young girl living in an orphanage in Kentucky. It is here that she first discovers her love for chess, thanks to the custodian who teaches her the rules of the game. Beth quickly proves to be a natural, and before long, she is taking on and beating some of the best players in the area. As she grows older, Beth's talent only continues to blossom, and she sets her sights on becoming a world champion.
However, life is not easy for Beth. She struggles with addiction to both tranquillizers and alcohol, which she uses to cope with the pressure and stress of competition. She also faces sexism, as many male chess players do not take her seriously and refuse to play against her. Despite these challenges, Beth continues to push herself to become better, and her passion and dedication to the game make her an inspiring and unforgettable character.
The Hustler is a classic novel that follows the story of Eddie Felson, a young and talented pool player who dreams of becoming the best. In his quest to beat the legendary Minnesota Fats, Eddie faces numerous challenges, including personal demons, betrayal, and heartbreak. Along the way, he meets Sarah Packard, a troubled alcoholic, and Bert Gordon, a manipulative gambler who becomes his mentor. As Eddie rises through the ranks, he must confront his own limitations and the sacrifices he must make to achieve his goals. The Hustler is a powerful exploration of ambition, love, and the cost of success.
The Colour of Money was first published in 1984. The book is a sequel to Tevis's earlier novel, The Hustler, and follows the story of Fast Eddie Felson, a former pool hustler who comes out of retirement to mentor a young pool player named Vincent. As Eddie tries to mould Vincent into a champion, he confronts his own demons and struggles with the changing world of pool hustling. The Color of Money is a gripping tale of ambition, rivalry, and self-discovery, exploring the complexities of the human psyche and the nature of competition.
Throughout the series, Tevis does an incredible job of bringing the game of chess to life. His descriptions of the matches are detailed and thrilling, and even readers who are not familiar with the game will find themselves caught up in the excitement. However, what truly makes the books so special is the character of Beth herself in The Queen’s Gambit. She is a complex and multifaceted protagonist, with flaws and strengths that make her feel like a real person. Readers will root for her as she faces her struggles and triumphs over her opponents, and her story will stay with them long after they finish the books.
In terms of genre, The Queen's Gambit can be classified as both a sports novel and a coming-of-age story. It is a book that will appeal to fans of both genres, as well as anyone who loves a well-written and engaging story. The books have been adapted into a popular Netflix series, which has brought even more attention to this already beloved story.
Overall, this Walter Tevis three Book Collection tells a series of compelling stories of passion, talent, addiction, and redemption. Tevis's writing is engaging and suspenseful, and his characters are memorable and relatable. Whether you are a chess or pool enthusiast or just looking for a great read, this collection is the perfect series to dive into.
Titles in this Set:
- The Queen's Gambit
- The Hustler
- The Color of Money
Description from the publisher:
The Queen's Gambit
When she is sent to an orphanage at the age of eight, Beth Harmon soon discovers two ways to escape her surroundings, albeit fleetingly: playing chess and taking the little green pills given to her and the other children to keep them subdued. Before long, it becomes apparent that hers is a prodigious talent, and as she progresses to the top of the US chess rankings, she is able to forge a new life for herself. But she can never quite overcome her urge to self-destruct.
The Hustler
Fast Eddie Felson has a reputation as a pool hustler to be feared, but his ambitions go far beyond taking small-town punks for a few bucks here and there. He has the talent to make big money, but he soon learns that it takes more than a natural ability to become a real winner. He heads to Chicago to test himself against the legendary Minnesota Fats in more than forty hours of high-stakes pool. Can he find the will to overcome his failings and fulfil his potential as the best there is?
The Color of Money
It has been twenty years since the epic match-up between Eddie Felson and Minnesota Fats. Having gone from bona fide stardom to playing in exhibition matches for cable television, Eddie decides that he'd like to give the game one more shot. With a failed marriage behind him and a new generation of competitors in his way, Eddie must face his demons and find the will to succeed once more.
About the Author:
Walter Tevis was an American novelist and short story writer, born on February 28, 1928, in San Francisco, California. He was the son of two educators and attended the University of Kentucky, where he earned a degree in English literature. Tevis began his writing career as a journalist for the Kentucky Kernel, and after graduation, he worked as a copywriter for an advertising agency in New York City.