Official Review: Playing Chess with God

LinaMueller · Post by **LinaMueller** » 25 Sep 2019, 07:03

kandscreeley wrote: ↑19 Sep 2019, 19:38 This sounds like historical fiction at its best. I love your enthusiasm for it. It's not a genre I read, so I'll probably skip it. Thanks.

Indeed it is historical fiction at its best. Thanks for passing by, kandscreeley.

LinaMueller · Post by **LinaMueller** » 25 Sep 2019, 08:13

Magnify3 wrote: ↑20 Sep 2019, 03:55 I find it amusing that the Mexicans who robbed Hennings of his gold were easily defeated and disappeared in a blink of an eye. Thanks for the review!

Thanks for passing by, Maginify3.

LinaMueller · Post by **LinaMueller** » 25 Sep 2019, 08:18

Miller56 wrote: ↑20 Sep 2019, 09:57 Thanks for the review. This doesn't really sound like a book that would interest me, not because I dislike historical novels, but because the characters seem to disappear quickly. I think I would find the descriptions of the places and time interesting. I think I will add this book to my low priority to read list.

You are right on this one. Henning travels a lot in this novel. In some chapters, it is difficult to remember the names of some minor characters. Thanks for your post, Miller56.

LinaMueller · Post by **LinaMueller** » 25 Sep 2019, 08:20

sursangeet_2000 wrote: ↑20 Sep 2019, 10:32
LinaMueller wrote: ↑17 Sep 2019, 14:01 [Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Playing Chess with God" by Verne R. Albright.]

4 out of 4 stars
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Playing Chess with God by Verne R. Albright is a historical fiction novel and what a great novel. As biased as I might be (because I love this kind of genre so much), I can't praise enough Verne's skills as a writer. I've read some historical fiction novels this year, but Playing Chess with God is a unique book.

First things first, the plot is based on real events that have happened during the period of the California Gold Rush. I mean, the book is a novel and, thus, all characters are not real. The situations that happen in the book, on the contrary, were actual events that used to be commonplace. Anarchy and the total absence of law and order were prevalent. You can find in this book (and in history books as well) not only random killings but also people in terminal conditions trying to get rich before their death. As Eduardo Vásquez said, prospecting is like playing chess with God. But the protagonist, deeply in love with a Chilean woman named Encinas, decides to take chances and go to California before everybody else.

All characters are mainly well developed. Henning Dietzel is an idealistic representation of what a hero could be. He is so perfect that sometimes the reader cannot relate to him. The main character is a puritan in the right way. He neither drinks nor smokes. When he is in love with some woman, he doesn't want to have fun with prostitutes. Throughout the entire book, he is looking for a profitable new business. His obsession with work, however, is motivated by a noble purpose not by greed. On several occasions, he mentions the "rational self-interest" from the book The Wealth of Nations written by Adam Smith. According to his mindset, a wealthy capitalist who exploits workers is a disgusting human being. In many chapters, it's clear that Henning Dietzel is more concerned with worker safety than profit.

I hated the fact that there was no relevant villain to oppose the protagonist. There are some antagonists in the book. Like the Mexicans who robbed Henning's gold, they are all easily defeated and disappear from the story in the blink of an eye. That's what I disliked the most about the book. On the other hand, the book is fascinating, and the description of the environments, customs of the time, and historical events caught my attention from beginning to end. There are many aspects to praise in this book, but the fact that Playing Chess with God is a real page-turner stands out as the most alluring element of the entire book.

In a nutshell, Playing Chess with God deserves 4 out of 4 stars. This book is gripping, funny, and well-written. Some minor flaws aside, there is no reason to give it a lower rating. It's a professionally edited book. I found some missing commas after introductory clauses and two other grammatical errors, but nothing so important in a book with almost 300 pages. I recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction novels. Playing Chess with God is appropriate for people of all religions. I firmly believe that people from different cultures can equally enjoy this book.

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Playing Chess with God
View: on Bookshelves
Interesting review. However, I like the characters in a book to be realistic and also a bit flawed. I also woild like to have some good antagonists as otherwise it might be boring. I think I will have to pass on this book, despite a good rating from you. Thanks for the review.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for passing by, sursangeet_2000.

LinaMueller · Post by **LinaMueller** » 25 Sep 2019, 08:23

Ekta Swarnkar wrote: ↑20 Sep 2019, 11:29 After seeing the title I was like "Now, that's challenging!"
But the book in a historical genre is something interesting. I can imagine why you enjoyed the book. I'm also the biggest fan of the genre until it's interesting. Thank you so much for this informative review!

Yeah, but don't worry: Henning didn't have to beat God in a chess game. It was a little bit easier for him.

Thanks for passing by, my dear.

LinaMueller · Post by **LinaMueller** » 25 Sep 2019, 08:33

esp1975 wrote: ↑22 Sep 2019, 20:02 Set in the time of the California Gold Rush does make it a little more interesting to me. It sounds like it is more a "slice of life" novel than a plot driven one, which I do not mind at all. I will have to keep an eye out for this one.

Playing Chess with God is fun and educational at the same time. The main character got rich selling guano. Can you imagine that? I mean guano is the excrement (solid waste) of sea birds and bats.

Thanks for your kind comment, my friend. You know I always enjoy reading your posts.

LinaMueller · Post by **LinaMueller** » 25 Sep 2019, 08:35

Kelyn wrote: ↑23 Sep 2019, 22:21 Historical fiction isn't really my bailiwick, but it sounds like this book has the right mix of history and fictional narrative to appeal to those who do read the genre! I enjoyed reading your review!

Thanks, Kelyn. I'm honored that you liked it.

LinaMueller · Post by **LinaMueller** » 25 Sep 2019, 08:38

kdstrack wrote: ↑24 Sep 2019, 15:37 Your enthusiasm and high praise for this book is contagious. I appreciate your background with other historical fiction novels and your comparisons with other books in this genre. This looks like a fascinating read. Thanks for the great review.

Thanks a bunch, kdstrack. It's always a pleasure to receive a compliment from such a respectable member of this community.

justjim · Post by **justjim** » 19 Jan 2020, 12:03

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres so this sounds like something that I'd enjoy. It's too bad there isn't an antagonistic character that we can hate, but I'm sure that I could overlook that.

Erick Muyesu · Post by **Erick Muyesu** » 19 Jan 2020, 12:08

I don't fancy historical fiction genres but your review has triggered my interest in reading this book. I will give it a shot in the near future. Insightful review.

Ferdinand_Otieno · Post by **Ferdinand_Otieno** » 19 Jan 2020, 12:13

This is an amazingly written historical fiction novel full of action and adventure and set during the California gold rush. The book is free on Kindle Unlimited and has a masterfully written OnlineBookClub review that is perfect for the book. I rated the book 4 out of 4 stars. Congrats on the BOTD.

Amy+++ · Post by **Amy+++** » 19 Jan 2020, 12:15

I love that this book is based on real events during the gold Rush. I didn't know about that. It makes the book even more interesting.

LeDiplomatique · Post by **LeDiplomatique** » 19 Jan 2020, 12:27

This sounds like a great plot. I like that the author refers to one of my favorite books, Wealth of Nations. Actually, we live in a self-help world, where only the fittest survive. It would be too hard to find someone who does good without an ulterior motive. The presence of such a perfect character as Henning Dietzel draws me to the book. Thanks LinaMueller for an insightful review. Congratulations BOTD.

Ellie Gatillo · Post by **Ellie Gatillo** » 19 Jan 2020, 12:29

A quest for gold sounds fun! Historical fiction is one of my favorites so I will definitely add this to my to-read list!

Ayesha Emjedi · Post by **Ayesha Emjedi** » 19 Jan 2020, 12:30

Your enthusiasm and love for this really shows through in this review. Unfortunately though, historical fiction isn't really my type of genre so I'll probably give this one a pass but considering the review to this book, it sounds like a good book for those who might be into this genre.