Chess

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View books by Stefan Zweig.

A dark, gripping book - Rated
I first read Chess: A Novel, in High School and I have loved it ever since. It is extremely difficult to put it down as it delves so much into the human psyche and the power to survive, the need to focus on something, anything, to still find a purpose in life. What makes this book even more interesting is that, if my memories are right, this book was written before the end of the second world war, but also that Stefan Zweig committed suicide not long after writing this book. It is quite small and quickly read, so if you fancy an excellent quick read which will really make you think, don't look any further.

Gripping novella by a master storyteller - Rated
This is a little gem of a book. I was intrigued the moment I read the blurb and I wasn't disappointed. This is a compelling story told by a master storyteller. The book was written in 1942 while the author was in exile in Brazil. It was completed just days before he committed suicide.

The story centres around an eccentric character who, despite lack of any discernible intellectual prowess, turns out to be a master chess player. On board a ship to Buenos Aires he is challenged to a game by some of the passengers who are curious about his character. All opponents are duly overcome until a mysterious man steps forward to prompt one of the players and it becomes clear that his grasp of the game is enough to defeat the grandmaster. We are then taken into the back story of this character and the secret behind his abilities at the chess board. To say that this is a page turner is a serious understatement. I challenge anyone not to finish it in one go.