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Curiosity
Intrigue, danger, chess, and a real-life hoax combine in this historical novel from the author of The Shakespeare Stealer
Philadelphia, PA, 1835. Rufus, a twelve-year-old chess prodigy, is recruited by a shady showman named Maelzel to secretly operate a mechanical chess player called the Turk. The Turk wows ticket-paying audience members and players, who do not realize that Rufus, the true chess master, is hidden inside the contraption. But Rufus’s job working the automaton must be kept secret, and he fears he may never be able to escape his unscrupulous master. And what has happened to the previous operators of the Turk, who seem to disappear as soon as Maelzel no longer needs them? Creeping suspense, plenty of mystery, and cameos from Edgar Allan Poe and P. T. Barnum mark Gary Blackwood’s triumphant return to middle grade fiction.
Philadelphia, PA, 1835. Rufus, a twelve-year-old chess prodigy, is recruited by a shady showman named Maelzel to secretly operate a mechanical chess player called the Turk. The Turk wows ticket-paying audience members and players, who do not realize that Rufus, the true chess master, is hidden inside the contraption. But Rufus’s job working the automaton must be kept secret, and he fears he may never be able to escape his unscrupulous master. And what has happened to the previous operators of the Turk, who seem to disappear as soon as Maelzel no longer needs them? Creeping suspense, plenty of mystery, and cameos from Edgar Allan Poe and P. T. Barnum mark Gary Blackwood’s triumphant return to middle grade fiction.
313 pages, Hardcover
First published April 10, 2014
12 people are currently reading
722 people want to read
About the author
Gary L. Blackwood
68 books92 followersHe grew up in rural Cochranton, Western Pennsylvania, where he attended school in a one room schoolhouse. He graduated with a B.A. in English from Grove City College in Pennsylvania. While a college student, Blackwood published his first short story, Cliffs of Gold, in Twelve/ Fifteen magazine.
He has sold dozens of stories to children's magazines, and has published thirty-five novels and nonfiction books for adults, young adults and middle readers.
Blackwood is also a widely produced playwright.
He has sold dozens of stories to children's magazines, and has published thirty-five novels and nonfiction books for adults, young adults and middle readers.
Blackwood is also a widely produced playwright.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
March 30, 2014
Blackwood’s back, baby! And not a minute too soon. Back in 1998, the author released The Shakespeare Stealer which would soon thereafter become his best-known work. A clever blending of historical fiction and adventure, the book allowed teachers the chance to hone Shakespeare down to a kid-friendly level. Since its publication Mr. Blackwood has kept busy, writing speculative fiction and, most recently, works of nonfiction for kids. Then there was a bit of a lull in his writing and the foolish amongst us (myself included) forgot about him. There will be no forgetting Mr. Blackwood anytime now though. Not after you read his latest work Curiosity. Throwing in everything from P.T. Barnum and phrenology to hunchbacks, Edgar Allan Poe, automatons, chess prodigies, murder, terrible fires, and legless men, Blackwood produces a tour de force to be reckoned with. In the press materials for this book, Penguin calls it “Gary Blackwood’s triumphant return to middle grade fiction.” They’re not wrong. The man’s about to acquire a whole new generation of fans and enthusiasts.
Fear for the children of novels that describe their childhoods as pampered or coddled. No good can come of that. Born weak with a slight deformity of the spine, Rufus lives a lovely life with his father, a well-respected Methodist minister in early 19th century Philadelphia. That’s all before his father writes a kind of predecessor to Origin of the Species and through a series of misadventures is thrown into debtor’s prison. Fortunately (perhaps) Rufus is a bit of a chess prodigy and his talents get him a job with a man by the name of Johann Nepomuk Maelzel. Maelzel owns an automaton called The Turk that is supposed to be able to play chess against anyone and win. With Rufus safely ensconced inside, The Turk is poised to become a massive moneymaker. But forces are at work to reveal The Turk’s secrets and if that information gets out, Rufus’s life might not be worth that of the pawns he plays.
Making the past seem relevant and accessible is hard enough when you’re writing a book for adults. Imagine the additional difficulty children’s authors find themselves in. Your word count is limited else you lose your audience. That means you need to engage in some serious (not to mention judicious and meticulous) wordplay. Blackwood’s a pro, though. His 1835 world is capable of capturing you with its life and vitality without boring you in the process. At one point Rufus describes seeing Richmond, VA for the first time and you are THERE, man. From the Flying Gigs to the mockingbirds to the James River itself. I was also relieved to find that Blackwood does make mention of the African-Americans living in Richmond and Philly at the time this novel takes place. Many are the works of historical fiction by white people about white people that conveniently forget this little fact.
Add onto that the difficulty that comes with making the past interesting and accurate and relevant all at once. I read more historical fiction for kids than a human being should, and while it’s all often very well meaning, interesting? Not usually an option. I’m certain folks will look at how Blackwood piles on the crazy elements here (see: previous statement about the book containing everything from phrenology to P.T. Barnum) and will assume that this is just a cheap play for thrills. Not so. It’s the man’s writing that actually holds your focus. I mean, look at that first line: “Out of all the books in the world, I wonder what made you choose this one.” Heck, that’s just a drop in the bucket. Check out these little gems:
“If my cosseted childhood hadn’t taught me how to relate to other people, neither had it taught em to fear them.”
“I was like some perverse species of prisoner who felt free only when he was locked inside a tiny cell.”
“Maelzel was not the sort of creator imagined by the Deists, who fashions a sort of clockwork universe and winds it up, then sits back and watches it go and never interferes. He was more like my father’s idea of the creator: constantly tinkering with his creations, looking for ways to make them run more smoothly and perform more cleverly – the kind who makes it possible for new species to develop.”
As for the writing of the story itself, Blackwood keeps the reader guessing and then fills the tale with loads of historical details. The historical accuracy is such that Blackwood even allows himself little throwaway references, confident that confused kids will look them up themselves. For example, at one point Rufus compares himself to “Varney the Vampire climbing into his coffin.” This would be a penny dreadful that circulated roundabout this time (is there any more terrifying name than “Varney” after all?). In another instance a blazing fire is met with two “rival hose” companies battling one another “for the right to hook up to the nearest fireplug.” There is a feeling that for a book to be literary it has to be dull. Blackwood dispels the notion, and one has to stand amazed when they realize that somehow he managed to make a story about a kid trapped in a small dark space for hours at a time riveting.
Another one of the more remarkable accomplishments of the book is that it honestly makes you want to learn more about the game of chess. A good author can get a kid interested in any subject, of course. I think back on The Cardturner by Louis Sachar, which dared to talk up the game of Bridge. And honestly, chess isn’t a hard sell. The #1 nonfiction request I get from my fellow children’s librarians (and the request I simply cannot fulfill fast enough) is for more chess books for kids. At least in the big cities, chess is a way of life for some children. One hopes that we’ll be able to extend their interest beyond the immediate game itself and onto a book where a kid like themselves has all the markings of true genius.
It isn’t perfect, of course. In terms of characterization, of all the people in this book Rufus is perhaps the least interesting. You willingly follow him, of course. Just because he doesn’t sparkle on the page like some of the other characters doesn’t mean you don’t respond to the little guy. One such example might be when his first crush doesn’t go as planned. But he’s a touchstone for the other characters around him. Then there’s the other problem of Rufus being continually rescued by the same person in the same manner (I won’t go into the details) more than once. It makes for a weird repeated beat. The shock of the first incident is actually watered down by the non-surprise of the second. Rufus becomes oddly passive in his own life, rarely doing anything to change the course of his fate (he falls unconscious and wakes up rescued more than once,) a fact that may contribute to the fact that he’s so unmemorable on the page.
But that aside, it’s hard not to be entranced by what Blackwood has come up with here. Automatons sort of came to the public’s attention when Brian Selznick wrote The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Blackwood takes it all a step further merging man and machine, questioning what we owe to one another and, to a certain extent, where the power really lies. Rufus finds his sense of self and bravery by becoming invisible. At the same time, he’s so innocent to the ways of the world that becoming visible comes with the danger of having your heart broken in a multitude of different ways. In an era where kids spend untold gobs of time in front of the screens of computers, finding themselves through a newer technology, Blackwood’s story has never been timelier. Smart and interesting, fun and strange, this is one piece of little known history worthy of your attention. Check and mate.
For ages 9-12.
Fear for the children of novels that describe their childhoods as pampered or coddled. No good can come of that. Born weak with a slight deformity of the spine, Rufus lives a lovely life with his father, a well-respected Methodist minister in early 19th century Philadelphia. That’s all before his father writes a kind of predecessor to Origin of the Species and through a series of misadventures is thrown into debtor’s prison. Fortunately (perhaps) Rufus is a bit of a chess prodigy and his talents get him a job with a man by the name of Johann Nepomuk Maelzel. Maelzel owns an automaton called The Turk that is supposed to be able to play chess against anyone and win. With Rufus safely ensconced inside, The Turk is poised to become a massive moneymaker. But forces are at work to reveal The Turk’s secrets and if that information gets out, Rufus’s life might not be worth that of the pawns he plays.
Making the past seem relevant and accessible is hard enough when you’re writing a book for adults. Imagine the additional difficulty children’s authors find themselves in. Your word count is limited else you lose your audience. That means you need to engage in some serious (not to mention judicious and meticulous) wordplay. Blackwood’s a pro, though. His 1835 world is capable of capturing you with its life and vitality without boring you in the process. At one point Rufus describes seeing Richmond, VA for the first time and you are THERE, man. From the Flying Gigs to the mockingbirds to the James River itself. I was also relieved to find that Blackwood does make mention of the African-Americans living in Richmond and Philly at the time this novel takes place. Many are the works of historical fiction by white people about white people that conveniently forget this little fact.
Add onto that the difficulty that comes with making the past interesting and accurate and relevant all at once. I read more historical fiction for kids than a human being should, and while it’s all often very well meaning, interesting? Not usually an option. I’m certain folks will look at how Blackwood piles on the crazy elements here (see: previous statement about the book containing everything from phrenology to P.T. Barnum) and will assume that this is just a cheap play for thrills. Not so. It’s the man’s writing that actually holds your focus. I mean, look at that first line: “Out of all the books in the world, I wonder what made you choose this one.” Heck, that’s just a drop in the bucket. Check out these little gems:
“If my cosseted childhood hadn’t taught me how to relate to other people, neither had it taught em to fear them.”
“I was like some perverse species of prisoner who felt free only when he was locked inside a tiny cell.”
“Maelzel was not the sort of creator imagined by the Deists, who fashions a sort of clockwork universe and winds it up, then sits back and watches it go and never interferes. He was more like my father’s idea of the creator: constantly tinkering with his creations, looking for ways to make them run more smoothly and perform more cleverly – the kind who makes it possible for new species to develop.”
As for the writing of the story itself, Blackwood keeps the reader guessing and then fills the tale with loads of historical details. The historical accuracy is such that Blackwood even allows himself little throwaway references, confident that confused kids will look them up themselves. For example, at one point Rufus compares himself to “Varney the Vampire climbing into his coffin.” This would be a penny dreadful that circulated roundabout this time (is there any more terrifying name than “Varney” after all?). In another instance a blazing fire is met with two “rival hose” companies battling one another “for the right to hook up to the nearest fireplug.” There is a feeling that for a book to be literary it has to be dull. Blackwood dispels the notion, and one has to stand amazed when they realize that somehow he managed to make a story about a kid trapped in a small dark space for hours at a time riveting.
Another one of the more remarkable accomplishments of the book is that it honestly makes you want to learn more about the game of chess. A good author can get a kid interested in any subject, of course. I think back on The Cardturner by Louis Sachar, which dared to talk up the game of Bridge. And honestly, chess isn’t a hard sell. The #1 nonfiction request I get from my fellow children’s librarians (and the request I simply cannot fulfill fast enough) is for more chess books for kids. At least in the big cities, chess is a way of life for some children. One hopes that we’ll be able to extend their interest beyond the immediate game itself and onto a book where a kid like themselves has all the markings of true genius.
It isn’t perfect, of course. In terms of characterization, of all the people in this book Rufus is perhaps the least interesting. You willingly follow him, of course. Just because he doesn’t sparkle on the page like some of the other characters doesn’t mean you don’t respond to the little guy. One such example might be when his first crush doesn’t go as planned. But he’s a touchstone for the other characters around him. Then there’s the other problem of Rufus being continually rescued by the same person in the same manner (I won’t go into the details) more than once. It makes for a weird repeated beat. The shock of the first incident is actually watered down by the non-surprise of the second. Rufus becomes oddly passive in his own life, rarely doing anything to change the course of his fate (he falls unconscious and wakes up rescued more than once,) a fact that may contribute to the fact that he’s so unmemorable on the page.
But that aside, it’s hard not to be entranced by what Blackwood has come up with here. Automatons sort of came to the public’s attention when Brian Selznick wrote The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Blackwood takes it all a step further merging man and machine, questioning what we owe to one another and, to a certain extent, where the power really lies. Rufus finds his sense of self and bravery by becoming invisible. At the same time, he’s so innocent to the ways of the world that becoming visible comes with the danger of having your heart broken in a multitude of different ways. In an era where kids spend untold gobs of time in front of the screens of computers, finding themselves through a newer technology, Blackwood’s story has never been timelier. Smart and interesting, fun and strange, this is one piece of little known history worthy of your attention. Check and mate.
For ages 9-12.
June 28, 2015
This book was very interesting. The storyline was good, and very suspenseful/thrilling. It did get a little weird at the end, but still a good book.
March 5, 2017
Excellent book! Chess theme, historical fiction, period piece, gripping good story written in a crisp first person narrative (which is hard to do), what's not to like. Great read.
April 13, 2021
its really good
October 12, 2014
This well-crafted book adds depth to the plot with its intricate layering of history and fiction that follows the real life of "The Turk,"a chess-playing automaton that came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1835. The event led to crazy speculations of its inner workings in the media. The author captures the time period of the industrial revolution when children were used for labor and forced to work long hours and odd jobs that fit their size such as cleaning chimneys or as in this story working the mechanisms of a machine in a cramped space. The story is enriched by true historical details such as "Godfrey's Cordial," a mixture of opium and treacle, that was given to children by parents that couldn't afford to miss work because of a sick child. It was one of the many times I found myself researching a topic outside of the story. I also looked up the Battle of Trocadero, phrenology, automatons, certain historical people, and the King's Road. Historical books can't explain everything and Gary Blackwood does a terrific job dropping nuggets left and right that piqued my interest but didn't detract from the plot. Johann Maezal really did bring The Turk to America and references to Edgar Allan Poe, his wife, and P.T. Barnum make for a fun slip into the past. Then there is the chess playing brilliance of twelve-year-old Rufus Goodspeed. I don't even like chess but I felt like an expert experiencing it through his eyes.
Rufus is hired by Johann Maezal when he is spotted for his "freakish" ability at winning chess games. Maezel wants Rufus to run the automaton, The Turk, by stuffing himself in a box below it and operating the mechanisms to play chess with audience members in his show. No one knows a person operates The Turk and Maezal literally keeps Rufus a prisoner in a room because he doesn't want anyone to talk to him and try to pry out The Turk's secrets. Rufus agrees so that he can make money and get his father out of deptor's prison. The first person point of view adds to the claustrophobic feel of Rufus's situation of being in a box and imprisoned not only by Maezel, but others as well. Rufus spends his time with the craftsman and mechanic, Jacques, who repairs The Turk. Jacques is abusive and suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome after being in Franco-Spanish war. The two develop a tepid relationship where Rufus helps Jacques by getting him to talk and Jacques shows he cares for Rufus in his own way.
While the author's word choices and historical layers soar, the pacing is somewhat slow and dark in the beginning and Rufus is a character that might not appeal to some young readers. Rufus is curious and smart but he is passive and accepting of people that manipulate him. He's not one to take control of his destiny or put up a fight. I liked his dry and subtle sense of humor, but he is victimized much of the time due to a sheltered upbringing, hunched back and weak disposition. Of course he's stuck inside all the time so he is not strong. His slow progression toward standing up for himself is not fully realized as it is someone else that rescues him most of the time in dire situations. I liked it when he finally stands up to Maezel and uses his wits. Shortly after, he plays chess with daring abandonment during one session while operating The Turk. He moves back to his cautious ways but the incident shows some anger and grief motivating him to take control of his destination even if for a small moment in time. At the end, when he meets his friend that embodies the notion of free choice, I thought, at last, a final adventure will show Rufus finally taking full control of his life and not being a pawn to others. Unfortunately it is a stalemate. While he does progress some and he does show how he transcends his cruel situations, I wanted more at the end. Perhaps you'll feel differently.
The author creates interesting characters. They have distinct traits and unique voices. Maezel is into phrenology, a pseudoscience that determines characteristics of a person based on configurations of his or her skull. Maezel cannot relate to others and is a bully and cruel. He uses phrenology to try and understand people rather than using social norms. It shows how stunted he is in his relationships with others. In contrast, when Rufus decides to learn phrenology, he reads Maezel's book on it out of boredom and uses the knowledge to reveal how he feels about situations. He tries to read the skull of The Turk at one point in a funny, suspenseful scene. Other times he uses phrenology in a self-deprecating manner.
Jacques, as a character, suffers post-traumatic stress syndrome and does not get over it. His abuse turns to protection as he comes to like Rufus in his gruff way. The Turk's called "Otso" by Rufus and represents Jacques friend from the past. The last line is the same words Jacques said to his friend showing how closely machine and human are connected. Jacques also uses The Turk to communicate at the end of the story. Maezel has Jacques in the box telling fortunes for money. The Turk wears a sign saying "Swami" and Rufus calls Jacques a "swami" which means a religious leader that gains mastery over self. In an exchange Rufus learns that Jacques has not gained mastery over his nightmares. It suggests that Jacques cannot he is trying overcome his past but is learning to live with it by becoming The Turk.
Rufus at times can't control The Turk. When he wants to make a move that will allow a player to win, it won't let him. This mystical bend in the story shows how machine and human are interconnected. Rufus and Jacques don't have control of their lives. The end seems to suggest that while Rufus has freed himself from The Turk, Jacques has yet to do so. In the epilogue, The Turk collects dust like a long forgotten relic. I didn't really understand the ending and why Rufus risked his life for it. Maybe it was to show he could finally take action. Or perhaps it is supposed to symbolize the endgame like in chess. Or a stalemate. Or the curtain falling on the last act. I don't know. That's the best I can deduce from it.
Speaking of deduction, Edgar Allan Poe is worked into the plot as a journalist for a magazine where he wants to find out how the Turk works. He's a bit unscrupulous and his accomplice is a character that is a nice mixture of fact and fiction. Another tidbit that sent me hyperlinking through the Web and getting more information on Virginia Clemm. Like I said, I really liked how the author the sprinkled facts and references throughout the plot. Even a character with the name Fisher makes an appearance. It isn't spelled the same but still conjures up an image of chess champion, Bobby Fischer. Readers that liked "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick or "The Card Turner" by Louis Sachar should give this a go.
Rufus is hired by Johann Maezal when he is spotted for his "freakish" ability at winning chess games. Maezel wants Rufus to run the automaton, The Turk, by stuffing himself in a box below it and operating the mechanisms to play chess with audience members in his show. No one knows a person operates The Turk and Maezal literally keeps Rufus a prisoner in a room because he doesn't want anyone to talk to him and try to pry out The Turk's secrets. Rufus agrees so that he can make money and get his father out of deptor's prison. The first person point of view adds to the claustrophobic feel of Rufus's situation of being in a box and imprisoned not only by Maezel, but others as well. Rufus spends his time with the craftsman and mechanic, Jacques, who repairs The Turk. Jacques is abusive and suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome after being in Franco-Spanish war. The two develop a tepid relationship where Rufus helps Jacques by getting him to talk and Jacques shows he cares for Rufus in his own way.
While the author's word choices and historical layers soar, the pacing is somewhat slow and dark in the beginning and Rufus is a character that might not appeal to some young readers. Rufus is curious and smart but he is passive and accepting of people that manipulate him. He's not one to take control of his destiny or put up a fight. I liked his dry and subtle sense of humor, but he is victimized much of the time due to a sheltered upbringing, hunched back and weak disposition. Of course he's stuck inside all the time so he is not strong. His slow progression toward standing up for himself is not fully realized as it is someone else that rescues him most of the time in dire situations. I liked it when he finally stands up to Maezel and uses his wits. Shortly after, he plays chess with daring abandonment during one session while operating The Turk. He moves back to his cautious ways but the incident shows some anger and grief motivating him to take control of his destination even if for a small moment in time. At the end, when he meets his friend that embodies the notion of free choice, I thought, at last, a final adventure will show Rufus finally taking full control of his life and not being a pawn to others. Unfortunately it is a stalemate. While he does progress some and he does show how he transcends his cruel situations, I wanted more at the end. Perhaps you'll feel differently.
The author creates interesting characters. They have distinct traits and unique voices. Maezel is into phrenology, a pseudoscience that determines characteristics of a person based on configurations of his or her skull. Maezel cannot relate to others and is a bully and cruel. He uses phrenology to try and understand people rather than using social norms. It shows how stunted he is in his relationships with others. In contrast, when Rufus decides to learn phrenology, he reads Maezel's book on it out of boredom and uses the knowledge to reveal how he feels about situations. He tries to read the skull of The Turk at one point in a funny, suspenseful scene. Other times he uses phrenology in a self-deprecating manner.
Jacques, as a character, suffers post-traumatic stress syndrome and does not get over it. His abuse turns to protection as he comes to like Rufus in his gruff way. The Turk's called "Otso" by Rufus and represents Jacques friend from the past. The last line is the same words Jacques said to his friend showing how closely machine and human are connected. Jacques also uses The Turk to communicate at the end of the story. Maezel has Jacques in the box telling fortunes for money. The Turk wears a sign saying "Swami" and Rufus calls Jacques a "swami" which means a religious leader that gains mastery over self. In an exchange Rufus learns that Jacques has not gained mastery over his nightmares. It suggests that Jacques cannot he is trying overcome his past but is learning to live with it by becoming The Turk.
Rufus at times can't control The Turk. When he wants to make a move that will allow a player to win, it won't let him. This mystical bend in the story shows how machine and human are interconnected. Rufus and Jacques don't have control of their lives. The end seems to suggest that while Rufus has freed himself from The Turk, Jacques has yet to do so. In the epilogue, The Turk collects dust like a long forgotten relic. I didn't really understand the ending and why Rufus risked his life for it. Maybe it was to show he could finally take action. Or perhaps it is supposed to symbolize the endgame like in chess. Or a stalemate. Or the curtain falling on the last act. I don't know. That's the best I can deduce from it.
Speaking of deduction, Edgar Allan Poe is worked into the plot as a journalist for a magazine where he wants to find out how the Turk works. He's a bit unscrupulous and his accomplice is a character that is a nice mixture of fact and fiction. Another tidbit that sent me hyperlinking through the Web and getting more information on Virginia Clemm. Like I said, I really liked how the author the sprinkled facts and references throughout the plot. Even a character with the name Fisher makes an appearance. It isn't spelled the same but still conjures up an image of chess champion, Bobby Fischer. Readers that liked "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick or "The Card Turner" by Louis Sachar should give this a go.
November 13, 2018
I think this book was highly entertaining. Learning that it was intended to be a historical fiction added to its charm. The research that Blackwood did in writing it was well received by me. My only criticism would be that the ending did lack continuity. Yes, the fact that Rufus started the book by breaking the fourth wall was brought full circle; however, the continuity of story telling fashion lacked something.
August 23, 2021
Lovely, clever, mischievous book by a brilliant writer. The novel is centred around a real-life marvel of its time- the chess-playing automaton known as the Turk. However, the machine has a living, breathing secret named Rufus, who must overcome opponents and his master in order to solve the puzzle of the Turk before the game ends. An inspired and fascinating novel.
March 2, 2022
This was an interesting book but one that I'd struggle to recommend. It occupies a weird niche for chess players and 19th century history fans. Blackwood definitely held my attention and Rufus's story is unique, but automata, Edgar Allen Poe, and chess gambits will likely only appeal to a small slice of our school readers.
September 9, 2017
I found this to be a rather complex book - well constructed and well written. I'm just not sure of its appeal to middle school students. Not that they wouldn't enjoy it - I'm just not sure they would pick it up.
November 19, 2018
This was ok , I was expecting a bit more adventure or more mystery, there were times when the book just dragged on and on. I did like the incorporation of real life people into this fictional story. That was pretty original to me. I just wish this book was more exiting .
November 22, 2023
It was entertaining enough, an interesting historical j-fiction about the Turk, an automaton chess player. Nothing incredibly riveting about how the plot wrapped up or the “twist”, but it was quick fun read!
January 21, 2024
I wish Goodreads let you do half stars. I would give this a 3.5. While I’m not a fan of the writing style of the authorial intrusion, it was an interesting story to read with lots of historical figures and stories thrown in.
June 28, 2017
Such an intriguing book!
October 19, 2017
very good book with a very interesting plot
May 22, 2018
3 3/4 stars
February 3, 2019
I thought it was well written and I will happily recommend it! It uses a wide vocabulary. I think 4th and up who play chess will appreciate it.
AR 6.3 and 11 pts
Lexile 870L
AR 6.3 and 11 pts
Lexile 870L
March 19, 2023
4.5 stars
October 20, 2014
I was ecstatic to see a new novel from Gary Blackwood! And (for the most part) I was not disappointed.
Curiosity is the story of Rufus, a twelve-year-old born with a curvature of the spine and an inborn ability to play chess. Rufus lives in early 18th Century America. His mother died giving birth to him and he has been raised in the parsonage, where his father is employed as the Parson. He has a nanny, a large home, plenty to eat and as such is mostly sheltered from the unkindness of those who would mock or be appalled by his physical appearance and struggle.
Rufus' entire life is upended when it becomes evident that his father has unwisely invested his money and neglected his Parson's duties, resulting in the loss of his job--and with it the only home Rufus has ever known. Penniless and in debt, Rufus' father is thrown into Debtors' Prison and Rufus is ultimately placed in a boys' home that is little better than a prison, itself.
Here Rufus' story merges with historical figures when he is taken from the Home by a man who has seen Rufus play chess at the local Chess Club and defeat grown men who consider themselves exceptionally skilled players. Rufus finds himself living with the Curiosity Showman and Master of Mechanical Wonders Johann Maelzel, owner of The Turk, a mechanical, chess-playing marvel. The secret of the Turk, of course, is the person inside its hidden cabinet playing the actual chess game. Rufus becomes that person.
Maelzel is a brutal master, as is his engineer, Jacques (at first). Rufus' character remains genuine throughout the book. He grows from a meek child into a young man who realizes he is allowed to choose which circumstances of his life he will accept with grace and which he will challenge for the sake of his own self-worth.
Blackwood is a master of historical fiction, able to weave a story with intriguing characters and engaging storylines that are the true definition of "page-turners!" I was a little dissatisfied with the ending of Curiosity. It felt a little abrupt to me--especially given that the rest of the book is extraordinarily well done is both character and plot. It is not enough however to take away from the way Curiosity makes 19th Century America and the Curiosity entertainment era come alive in a gripping, thoroughly enjoyable reading experience.
I highly recommend Curiosity and Blackwood's other phenomenal historical fiction series: The Shakespeare Stealer--one of my all-time favorites!
Curiosity is the story of Rufus, a twelve-year-old born with a curvature of the spine and an inborn ability to play chess. Rufus lives in early 18th Century America. His mother died giving birth to him and he has been raised in the parsonage, where his father is employed as the Parson. He has a nanny, a large home, plenty to eat and as such is mostly sheltered from the unkindness of those who would mock or be appalled by his physical appearance and struggle.
Rufus' entire life is upended when it becomes evident that his father has unwisely invested his money and neglected his Parson's duties, resulting in the loss of his job--and with it the only home Rufus has ever known. Penniless and in debt, Rufus' father is thrown into Debtors' Prison and Rufus is ultimately placed in a boys' home that is little better than a prison, itself.
Here Rufus' story merges with historical figures when he is taken from the Home by a man who has seen Rufus play chess at the local Chess Club and defeat grown men who consider themselves exceptionally skilled players. Rufus finds himself living with the Curiosity Showman and Master of Mechanical Wonders Johann Maelzel, owner of The Turk, a mechanical, chess-playing marvel. The secret of the Turk, of course, is the person inside its hidden cabinet playing the actual chess game. Rufus becomes that person.
Maelzel is a brutal master, as is his engineer, Jacques (at first). Rufus' character remains genuine throughout the book. He grows from a meek child into a young man who realizes he is allowed to choose which circumstances of his life he will accept with grace and which he will challenge for the sake of his own self-worth.
Blackwood is a master of historical fiction, able to weave a story with intriguing characters and engaging storylines that are the true definition of "page-turners!" I was a little dissatisfied with the ending of Curiosity. It felt a little abrupt to me--especially given that the rest of the book is extraordinarily well done is both character and plot. It is not enough however to take away from the way Curiosity makes 19th Century America and the Curiosity entertainment era come alive in a gripping, thoroughly enjoyable reading experience.
I highly recommend Curiosity and Blackwood's other phenomenal historical fiction series: The Shakespeare Stealer--one of my all-time favorites!
July 21, 2014
The author of The Shakespeare Stealer returns with another historical novel for children. In 1835 Philadelphia, twelve-year-old Rufus has lived a sheltered life, kept inside by the curve of his spine and his small stature. Then his father is thrown into debtor’s prison and his life changes dramatically. Taken into a home for orphans, Rufus is rescued by his skill at chess and taken to live with Maelzel, a sinister man who owns a collection of automatons as well as The Turk, a chess-playing machine. Rufus is forced to hide inside the cabinet below The Turk and play chess against ticket-paying customers. He is promised a small salary with which he hopes to help his father get out of prison. But Rufus’ life is not just playing chess. He must remain hidden at all times to avoid the secret of The Turk being discovered. He can’t ever go out, making this a twisted version of his earlier sheltered life. Now he struggles to get enough to eat, to not be beaten and to find a way to not meet the dark same end as a previous Turk controller.
Blackstone’s historical fiction is rich and detailed. He offers just the right amount of information so that young readers will understand the difference in society and the way of life, but not so much to slow down the story. And what a story this is! The Turk hoax is revealed in all of its twisted, waxy glory through the eyes of a disabled young boy whose entire world has been turned upside down. Yet Rufus is always looking on the bright side, scheming himself to try to survive as best he can and yet also having a child-like wonder at things too.
Blackstone brings early 19th century America to life on the page. He populates his story with real people like Edgar Allan Poe and P. T. Barnum, adding to the already strong sense of reality in his tale. At the end of the book, the author does speak about the liberties he took with these historical figures, including making the sinister Maelzel much more evil than he seemed to be in real life.
Strong writing, a compelling story and a shining hero all make this work of historical fiction a dark delight. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
Blackstone’s historical fiction is rich and detailed. He offers just the right amount of information so that young readers will understand the difference in society and the way of life, but not so much to slow down the story. And what a story this is! The Turk hoax is revealed in all of its twisted, waxy glory through the eyes of a disabled young boy whose entire world has been turned upside down. Yet Rufus is always looking on the bright side, scheming himself to try to survive as best he can and yet also having a child-like wonder at things too.
Blackstone brings early 19th century America to life on the page. He populates his story with real people like Edgar Allan Poe and P. T. Barnum, adding to the already strong sense of reality in his tale. At the end of the book, the author does speak about the liberties he took with these historical figures, including making the sinister Maelzel much more evil than he seemed to be in real life.
Strong writing, a compelling story and a shining hero all make this work of historical fiction a dark delight. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
February 25, 2017
The game of chess is a funny thing. Everybody knows of its existence, but only a select few can truly say they have a handle on it. It is an exclusive club, to say the least. In "Curiosity", Gary Blackwood opens up that club to readers by telling a simple (yet wildly engaging) story about chess and those who play it.
For a basic summary, this book focuses on young Rufus, a 12-year old boy who's life has been nothing but unfortunate breaks. His one outlet? He has a preternatural inclination to chess. This catches the eye of a ruthless "curiosity shop" owner, who takes on Rufus. This is where The Turk comes into play...a wax figure who "mysteriously" can defeat all-comers. The catch? There is nothing mysterious about The Turk--only little Rufus inside the machine. As the tale unwinds, readers are treated to some great chess-related moments, as well as slowly-intensifying information about Rufus' past and those around him.
The main reason "Curiosity" works so well as a novel is because Blackwood has such great pacing built into the story. After 50 or so pages, I thought this would strictly be a kids tale. At about page 100 I realized it would be much more. By the end, I could hardly put it down! It is such a fascinating concept that it really will draw you in and make you care about the characters and the situations they are put in.
When I read this book, I truly had no idea that The Turk was actually a real thing! Upon finishing the text and doing some further research of my own, I was amazed at how such a scheme was actually real! In terms of historical fiction, then, it doesn't get any better than this!
"Curiosity" is told from a child's perspective and will likely be marketed as a YA novel, but I think it could be enjoyed by a much wider audience range as well. Blackwood really knows how to develop characters within the framework of a real-life scenario, and doing so in a way that with each turn of the page, you will be sucked in just a little bit deeper.
For a basic summary, this book focuses on young Rufus, a 12-year old boy who's life has been nothing but unfortunate breaks. His one outlet? He has a preternatural inclination to chess. This catches the eye of a ruthless "curiosity shop" owner, who takes on Rufus. This is where The Turk comes into play...a wax figure who "mysteriously" can defeat all-comers. The catch? There is nothing mysterious about The Turk--only little Rufus inside the machine. As the tale unwinds, readers are treated to some great chess-related moments, as well as slowly-intensifying information about Rufus' past and those around him.
The main reason "Curiosity" works so well as a novel is because Blackwood has such great pacing built into the story. After 50 or so pages, I thought this would strictly be a kids tale. At about page 100 I realized it would be much more. By the end, I could hardly put it down! It is such a fascinating concept that it really will draw you in and make you care about the characters and the situations they are put in.
When I read this book, I truly had no idea that The Turk was actually a real thing! Upon finishing the text and doing some further research of my own, I was amazed at how such a scheme was actually real! In terms of historical fiction, then, it doesn't get any better than this!
"Curiosity" is told from a child's perspective and will likely be marketed as a YA novel, but I think it could be enjoyed by a much wider audience range as well. Blackwood really knows how to develop characters within the framework of a real-life scenario, and doing so in a way that with each turn of the page, you will be sucked in just a little bit deeper.
January 29, 2024
Rufus Goodfellow was born with a misshapen spine and a delicate constitution. His mother died during his birth, at least that’s what his father led him to believe. Reverend Tobias Goodfellow loves his son and shelters him from life outside the parsonage. One day, four year-old Rufus watches his first chess game. After studying the moves intently for some time, he corrects one of his father’s moves. Rufus proves to be a chess prodigy. It becomes his passion. Rufus spends most of his time playing chess. He even plays mental chess- manipulating the pieces for both opponents in his head. Then, several years later when Rufus is twelve, the good pastor uses his meager savings to publish his book entitled “The Development of the Species.” The subject of the book and the time he spent writing it cause him to lose his church position. Soon, Tobias goes to the poorhouse for his debts. Rufus tries to make his way by playing chess for money. When he beats Mr. Mulhouse, he gets himself a job. Well, at least he gets a place to live and some food every day. Rufus becomes the new operator of “The Turk,” a supposed automaton who plays chess. Each evening, Rufus crawls into the Turk’s cabinet and manipulates the Turk’s arms. The illusion is that the machine is playing chess simply based on its machinery. Johann Maelzel, the Turk’s owner, keeps Rufus a virtual prisoner for fear of the public finding out that his prize possession is not a true automaton. Rufus endures physical and verbal abuse from Maelzel and Maelzel’s handyman, Jacques, in hopes of earning enough money to get his father out of prison. Journalist Edgar Allan Poe sets out to discover the Turk’s secret. And, Rufus keeps seeing a woman dressed in black even when the Turk is taken to different cities. A series of unfortunate events release Rufus from Maelzel’s clutches, help Rufus discover the woman in black’s true identity, and lead Rufus to true happiness.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
August 4, 2014
Pros:
Curiosity’s main draw is its exceptionally empathetic hero Rufus. His good-heartedness makes him extremely easy to root for, but his development as a character is what makes him truly unique. He goes from being a gentle but spoiled boy living a privileged life to a tough, intelligent one whose perseverance helps him transcend his terrible circumstances. Jacque, the French carpenter who suffers from PTSD, is also an interesting character. His defense of Rufus on a couple of occasions and his sporadic remembrances of his life make him especially three-dimensional. Other characters like the unprincipled Maelzel and the weak though kind Mulhouse are also well-realized.
The writing here, which reads like a less humorous and sophisticated version of Dickens, is well-done and compelling. Its lack of condescension and realism are also big pulls.
The book’s main theme, the concept of fighting to better your situation versus “taking things with good grace”, is rendered subtly and poignantly. The well-researched setting is another attraction, and adds interest to this simple tale.
Cons:
There’s a real lack of action during the first half of the novel that’s only partially allayed during the second half, and the dark tone and complex writing are also unlikely to appeal to children. There is one significant incident in which Rufus is plainly used as a pawn of plot. The bittersweet ending, moreover, is unsatisfying, especially considering how much Rufus had suffered throughout the novel.
Verdict:
Though likely to bore or depress its target demographic, Curiosity is a thoughtful, relatively interesting look at a Philadelphia boy who rises above his abysmal circumstances and the 19th century automaton that he operates.
Curiosity’s main draw is its exceptionally empathetic hero Rufus. His good-heartedness makes him extremely easy to root for, but his development as a character is what makes him truly unique. He goes from being a gentle but spoiled boy living a privileged life to a tough, intelligent one whose perseverance helps him transcend his terrible circumstances. Jacque, the French carpenter who suffers from PTSD, is also an interesting character. His defense of Rufus on a couple of occasions and his sporadic remembrances of his life make him especially three-dimensional. Other characters like the unprincipled Maelzel and the weak though kind Mulhouse are also well-realized.
The writing here, which reads like a less humorous and sophisticated version of Dickens, is well-done and compelling. Its lack of condescension and realism are also big pulls.
The book’s main theme, the concept of fighting to better your situation versus “taking things with good grace”, is rendered subtly and poignantly. The well-researched setting is another attraction, and adds interest to this simple tale.
Cons:
There’s a real lack of action during the first half of the novel that’s only partially allayed during the second half, and the dark tone and complex writing are also unlikely to appeal to children. There is one significant incident in which Rufus is plainly used as a pawn of plot. The bittersweet ending, moreover, is unsatisfying, especially considering how much Rufus had suffered throughout the novel.
Verdict:
Though likely to bore or depress its target demographic, Curiosity is a thoughtful, relatively interesting look at a Philadelphia boy who rises above his abysmal circumstances and the 19th century automaton that he operates.
August 14, 2015
I have mixed feelings about this book--both the characters and the plot are intriguing and kept my attention. However, the first chapter was the "author/narrator" speaking directly to the audience to set up the main character and the plot line. While it was written supposedly in the voice of the narrator/main character, it reminded me of the Victorian practice of the author stepping into the book to speak directly to the readers. That was a turn-off for me, but I continued reading because others had spoken highly of the book. I was relieved not to find more instances of this direct interaction as the novel progressed.
And then I got to the end of the book!The last chapter begins, "Oh, dear. I'm not doing such a good job of weaving my tale, am I? Though I meant that to be the final chapter, I realize now that I've left a few loose ends. Well, I did warn you that I wasn't an accomplished storyteller." Sorry, I think that's a cheap trick. If those "loose ends" needed to be accounted for, why couldn't it have been done in the context of the plot? The author had already used a lengthy "letter" from the main character's mother to tell her story and explain her presence in the book. Now, he just summarizes the parts of the story which did not directly influence the outcome of the plot but which he had spent enough time on to make his readers want to know what happened.
The real question is, does the author's choices on how he will set up and clean up the characters and plot outweigh the strengths that he exhibits in the rest of the novel? I'm not sure.
(16-17: I-0, II-1, III-1)
And then I got to the end of the book!The last chapter begins, "Oh, dear. I'm not doing such a good job of weaving my tale, am I? Though I meant that to be the final chapter, I realize now that I've left a few loose ends. Well, I did warn you that I wasn't an accomplished storyteller." Sorry, I think that's a cheap trick. If those "loose ends" needed to be accounted for, why couldn't it have been done in the context of the plot? The author had already used a lengthy "letter" from the main character's mother to tell her story and explain her presence in the book. Now, he just summarizes the parts of the story which did not directly influence the outcome of the plot but which he had spent enough time on to make his readers want to know what happened.
The real question is, does the author's choices on how he will set up and clean up the characters and plot outweigh the strengths that he exhibits in the rest of the novel? I'm not sure.
(16-17: I-0, II-1, III-1)
April 18, 2016
Well, I wasn't expecting this! I blame my public library partly. They have it labeled as Juvenile fiction and it's really a teen book. Nor did they label it as historical fiction as they should have. They can hardly be blamed for that— I suspect not one person in a thousand now knows about the once-famous Chess Playing Automaton known as the Turk. I've never knocked out a book of this size in one day— until now. If this book had come along at the height of my chess playing career (oh, about 40 years ago, but let's not get into that), it would have been a dream come true for me. It was interesting reading this book coming off of reading War and Peace; you would never think these books would have all the parallels that they do. Both are historical novels covering approximately the same years (albeit on different continents), both contain a lot of French, both contain an assortment of historical figures; and it is difficult to figure out who is and who is not historical. The author makes a partial list of the historical figures in his afterword, but sadly he does not mention One quibble: what is up with that cover? The pieces are set up wrong (we all know the queen goes on her color, not the king), and where the heck is the pawn in the Turk's hand headed? b5? The only legal options are c3 and c4.
March 8, 2015
Have you ever heard rumor of the great chess playing automaton "The Turk"? Well, the book Curiosity by Gary Blackwood is based around this mysterious automaton, and a young chess prodigy named Rufus. Rufus, who at first lives a life of pampered easiness, is eventually lead to the Turk, and his life changes in unexpected ways.
Throughout this story, Blackwood does an amazing job of leading the reader through Rufus’ story. In the beginning, the reader is immediately drawn into Rufus' life, as we learn about his frailties and his amazing aptitude for chess. As the story develops, we come to understand the actions and motives behind his character. Rufus grows in the story and in the end learns that it is okay to question his circumstances. The secondary characters in this story are all strong, and it is easy to understand the motivation behind the actions of each character. These secondary characters help develop the plot by changing Rufus' life in some way.
Blackwood develops the conflict in a way that is not too overwhelming to the reader. We do get a sense early on, however, that events in the story will not always be cheery. This book deals with the, sometimes bleak, lives of the poor in early 1800’s America, and famous characters such as Edgar Allen Poe and P. T. Barnum make guest appearances. My only concern with this book is that its advanced plot may not hold the interest of some readers. I would recommend this book to children in 6 - 8 grade.
Throughout this story, Blackwood does an amazing job of leading the reader through Rufus’ story. In the beginning, the reader is immediately drawn into Rufus' life, as we learn about his frailties and his amazing aptitude for chess. As the story develops, we come to understand the actions and motives behind his character. Rufus grows in the story and in the end learns that it is okay to question his circumstances. The secondary characters in this story are all strong, and it is easy to understand the motivation behind the actions of each character. These secondary characters help develop the plot by changing Rufus' life in some way.
Blackwood develops the conflict in a way that is not too overwhelming to the reader. We do get a sense early on, however, that events in the story will not always be cheery. This book deals with the, sometimes bleak, lives of the poor in early 1800’s America, and famous characters such as Edgar Allen Poe and P. T. Barnum make guest appearances. My only concern with this book is that its advanced plot may not hold the interest of some readers. I would recommend this book to children in 6 - 8 grade.
May 6, 2024
For a middle grade novel, this is pretty well done. The chess bits are interesting in a vague enough way for a non-chess player to enjoy, and the characterization and incorporation of the historical period (and roles from real-life people from the time) are admirable. Poe and Barnum make appearances, not to mention other less famous members of their era. There is a bit more complexity here than I was expecting, and the dreaded Middle-Grade Novel Ending™ didn't make an appearance, which I appreciated.
This would have been a relaxed four stars except for one seemingly minor but actually EGREGIOUS mistake; I can hardly believe it's a mistake because it's so glaringly obvious, but I did some research and I don't think the author is making an obscure point here. The Quakers in charge of the boarding house are supposed to talk archaically, right? (ignore the slight offense here) Here are a couple quotes:
Anyone notice what these three quotes have in common? A terrible misusage of the archaic pronoun thee. In all of these cases, thee should CLEARLY be replaced with thou, the subject form of the pronoun. See, that sounds pedantic, but this is really a shocking mistake from an otherwise very competent writer.
Overall, nice way to spend a couple hours but lacking any real purpose.
This would have been a relaxed four stars except for one seemingly minor but actually EGREGIOUS mistake; I can hardly believe it's a mistake because it's so glaringly obvious, but I did some research and I don't think the author is making an obscure point here. The Quakers in charge of the boarding house are supposed to talk archaically, right? (ignore the slight offense here) Here are a couple quotes:
"So, thee can work with thy hands? Good, good."
"How long did thee work for Mr. Maelzel?"
"Thee was in the House of Refuge when he took..."
Anyone notice what these three quotes have in common? A terrible misusage of the archaic pronoun thee. In all of these cases, thee should CLEARLY be replaced with thou, the subject form of the pronoun. See, that sounds pedantic, but this is really a shocking mistake from an otherwise very competent writer.
Overall, nice way to spend a couple hours but lacking any real purpose.
August 29, 2014
Blackwood is so good at writing intrigue and developing atmosphere, that it is a treat to read his latest, set in Philadelphia in the mid 1800s. Rufus, our hero and narrator, recounts his unusual life story beginning with a sickly childhood in his minister father's care. He discovers quite early that he is unusually good at chess, and because his physical abilities are limited, his father begins to take him to play against adults at local venues. Then they lose everything and his father enters debtor's prison, and Rufus is left to fend for himself. An unexpected opportunity for making a living comes when Rufus meets a kind Frenchman, who takes him to meet Johann Maelzel (not so kind, and in fact, rather cruel). Maelzel has a most unusual job for Rufus. Mysterious and colorful characters, a Dickensian flavor, and plenty of danger make this book an entertaining read, though in the end the reader may be left with the feeling that there wasn't much point, overall. Blackwood offers a glimpse into an amazing era, when automatons and mechanical technology were new and exotic, and chess enthusiasts will appreciate Rufus' brilliance. 4th-6th grade.
January 4, 2015
I always like when the narrator of a book brings the reader in, and that is what Rufus did with the first line, "Out of all the books in the world, I wonder what made you choose this one." He gives lots of clues that the story isn't told by an accomplished writer and that it's filled with all sorts of unpleasantness, but it's a good chess-infused story that 4th-6th graders will enjoy, and not too unpleasant. After watching him play chess, Rufus is recruited by a shady person for a much needed job, but he must swear to keep a secret of "The Turk" a world-reknowned chess-playing automaton. Many bad things befall poor Rufus, but he makes a friend in the rough Jacques, and Rufus is in for surprise and unexpected ending. My experiences with Chess Club familiarized me with the term "The King's Gambit" and practicing endgames, but I was not familiar with a puzzle called "The King's Journey." My only downside with the book is there seemed to be a lot of stories going on in one, but I enjoyed it, and I'm happy I read it. You do not need to know anything about chess to enjoy this tale that IS filled with real historical information.
August 18, 2014
I loved this book. The story of the Turk a chess playing automation would have been interesting enough, but combined with the story of Rufus a poor hunchbacked boy who is practically enslaved to be his operator = fiction gold.
Rufus will capture your heart just as surly as the Turk will capture your mind. Even though the Turk is only a machine and not a sentient one at that it is still so well characterized that you will start to think of it as a character in it's own right.
Rufus is a chess genius. At only twelve years old he can best most if not all challengers. When his father is sent to debtors prison Rufus tries to make money by playing for money. When he ends up in jail himself he is bailed out by the owner of the Turk. The amazing chess playing machine is merely an illusion. He needs a human brain inside to actually do the thinking for him. That brain is Rufus.
This well written historical novel captured my imagination and really tugged at my heart.
Rufus will capture your heart just as surly as the Turk will capture your mind. Even though the Turk is only a machine and not a sentient one at that it is still so well characterized that you will start to think of it as a character in it's own right.
Rufus is a chess genius. At only twelve years old he can best most if not all challengers. When his father is sent to debtors prison Rufus tries to make money by playing for money. When he ends up in jail himself he is bailed out by the owner of the Turk. The amazing chess playing machine is merely an illusion. He needs a human brain inside to actually do the thinking for him. That brain is Rufus.
This well written historical novel captured my imagination and really tugged at my heart.
January 27, 2015
Initial thoughts--I intend to write a full review later:
Interesting protagonist, though it took some time to get used to his style of telling his story
Great description of life during this time period--what was new, interesting, common, etc. such as pre-Darwinian theories of evolution, phrenology, exoticism, automatons, and Romanticism
Rather slow--like a chess match? Was this intentional on the part of Blackwood? There were a lot of coincidences that came full circle. Not being a chess player myself, I am merely speculating that this may have been a stylistic device--actions that seem coincidental or insignificant in a chess game (when played by chess masters) actually have a strategic purpose as revealed later on?
Fun to have all of the historical elements and characters turned into a compelling story, as explained in the author's afterword. I now have more interest in learning about Poe and his wife, Barnum, the Turk, and Maezel.
Interesting protagonist, though it took some time to get used to his style of telling his story
Great description of life during this time period--what was new, interesting, common, etc. such as pre-Darwinian theories of evolution, phrenology, exoticism, automatons, and Romanticism
Rather slow--like a chess match? Was this intentional on the part of Blackwood? There were a lot of coincidences that came full circle. Not being a chess player myself, I am merely speculating that this may have been a stylistic device--actions that seem coincidental or insignificant in a chess game (when played by chess masters) actually have a strategic purpose as revealed later on?
Fun to have all of the historical elements and characters turned into a compelling story, as explained in the author's afterword. I now have more interest in learning about Poe and his wife, Barnum, the Turk, and Maezel.
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