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"The Queen's Gambit," a discussion ***Possible Spoilers***

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Mikaela:

--- Quote ---Qualities in Beth that remind me of Heath are her intelligence, strong will and ability to concentrate when it's necessary, her innate integrity and ability to size people up quickly and her dangerous fascination with drugs and alcohol.

--- End quote ---

What struck me was the duality in Beth - one that I suppose was also there in Heath and that he may well have recognized: The immense internal tension, pressure, energy, restlessness and sheer *drive* that came with her talent and her outstanding abilities (or were a result of them, I don't know whether the chicken or the egg came first). Anyway, all that enormously potent energy was a burden and a blessing both. It demanded an outlet; and it could and did take her in two directions to find that outlet. When things were going well and she was in a position to freely practice and develop her art (and chess appears as a true art form here) the energy took her to new artistic heights, drove her on to amazing achievements. When she was denied that artistic outlet or an immense outburst of creative energy had worn her completely down, she turned to psychofarma or alcohol to be able to blunt and tame the immense internal pressure that was always there, to somehow control and dull its impact - in addition to using those things as comfort and support.

I think there may be a truth here about the character of many very hugely talented and apparently "highstrung" people, - the curse that comes with their gift.

luminousmidnight:
I honestly cannot believe there is discussion on The Queen's Gambit.  I read it back in September of 2004, and it remains one of my top three books.  It's a beautiful story, and I'm stunned to learn that there's a movie in some kind of production.

Does anyone know for sure if the movie is actually going to be made?  I can't believe Heath Ledger was going to direct and star in it.

Back in 2004-6, there was almost no talk of Queen's Gambit anywhere on the web.  I remember, because I looked from time to time.  Now this.  Excellent :).

MaineWriter:
Welcome Luminous,

I see you're new to Bettermost. Welcome! Glad to have you here.

Yes, we are trying to get a discussion off the ground. We are a pretty international group and people are in various stages of reading, but I think most of us have finished the book.

I haven't heard anything more about this as a movie project, since Heath's death.

L

yb:
I read that the writer will look for other people to direct the film.

yb:

--- Quote from: susiebk on March 22, 2008, 09:00:24 am ---I thought the writer was no longer alive.  Unless you mean the screenwriter.



--- End quote ---

Maybe so, I'm not sure.  I haven't paid too much attention to this project. 

Sorry for the wrong information. 

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