Based on a true story, The Chess Machine is the breathtaking historical adventure of a legendary invention that astounded all who crossed it...
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Oct 14, 2007
Jason
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(The much longer full review can be found at the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com].)
As regular readers know, one of the topics that often comes up here at the CCLaP website is of the slippery line between what we commonly refer to as "mainstream" literature versus "genre;" of not only where that line should be drawn, but of how we look at books differently based on what side it falls, not to mention the different smaller lines that ca More...
As regular readers know, one of the topics that often comes up here at the CCLaP website is of the slippery line between what we commonly refer to as "mainstream" literature versus "genre;" of not only where that line should be drawn, but of how we look at books differently based on what side it falls, not to mention the different smaller lines that ca More...
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Aug 26, 2007
I picked this book up on whim from the public library's New Books section because the backstory is about an elaborate hoax during the 17th century Hapsburg Empire to build an automaton that could play chess as intelligently as a human being. I thought it was going to be like the type of creepy but enthralling stories that I had to read for a class on German Romantism, like Hofmannsthal's The Sandman (basis for the ballet Coppelia) or Mary Shelley's original Frankenstein.
Except that More...
Except that More...
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Feb 06, 2008
James
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Overall an enjoyable work of historical fiction, based on the true story of a late 18th century chess-playing machine that was, in reality, just an elaborate hoax. The story is told with lots of eccentric characters, and the narrative is well-paced and helped along by occasional flash-forwards that slowly reveal how things worked out for these characters over time. By the end I think the author may have tried a little *too* hard to be unpredictable and defy the readers' expectations by making
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Aug 24, 2011
Heather
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The restlessness caused by this novel's rather Teutonic length is more than made up for by its vivid, animated, and completely unforgettable characters. Think of it as a tragicomic Amadeus with chess rather than music as its heart.
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Dec 09, 2007
Paul
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Frankly...I couldn't get through this book. I petered out around page two hundred, when the characters just all seemed to be doing what I expected of them, in the ways I predicted. It's a beautiful cover, and a beautiful idea, but too often the story aspects are jammed into the historical aspects, and the characters seem to be pastiches rather than individual. I wouldn't rule out other books by this author, but this book didn't succeed for me.
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Oct 26, 2007
Mike
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A bit more dwarf sex than I am used to in a book about chess and 18th century European nobility but............
I think that this novel falls into the trap that many books in the "historical fiction" fall into regardless of the subject. The fictional characters, or the events/dialogue created around the historical characters, are just not nearly as interesting as the actual events.
I think that this novel falls into the trap that many books in the "historical fiction" fall into regardless of the subject. The fictional characters, or the events/dialogue created around the historical characters, are just not nearly as interesting as the actual events.
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Dec 06, 2011
Orsolya
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Perhaps a novel about a chess-playing automaton is not your ideal storyline. What if I told you that there was a secret behind the machine depending on a dwarf which traversed murder, revenge, and espionage? If those images spark your attention, then The Chess Machine by Robert Lohr is perfect for you.
Don’t expect a traditional novel arc with The Chess Machine, as the book simply does not begin with the “usual” character introductions. This will reject some readers due to the novel’s More...
Don’t expect a traditional novel arc with The Chess Machine, as the book simply does not begin with the “usual” character introductions. This will reject some readers due to the novel’s More...
Aug 24, 2011
Stephanie
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In this debut novel by former journalist and screenwriter Robert Lohr, an ambitious court official decides to impress the queen with a marvellous machine that can win a chess game against any opponent.
A flaw in the plan: he knows building such a machine is impossible, at least for now. So instead, he hires a dwarf, who also happens to be a chess expert, to sit in the machine and act as the automaton's mind.
Even more unbelievable that the plot is the fact that all this actually More...
A flaw in the plan: he knows building such a machine is impossible, at least for now. So instead, he hires a dwarf, who also happens to be a chess expert, to sit in the machine and act as the automaton's mind.
Even more unbelievable that the plot is the fact that all this actually More...
May 15, 2008
El
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Based on mostly-true events of the late 18th-century in Europe, Robert Lohr's first novel recreates the life and times of the Mechanical Turk, an automaton created by Baron Wolfgang von Kempelen which could "think" and play chess in an attempt to win the attention of the Empress. What von Kempelen managed to do was to create a sensational stir across Europe with what actually was all a fancy hoax. Lohr takes some creative liberty and draws a murder mystery into the mix, of which caus
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Apr 23, 2008
Katie
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I tried very hard to get into this, because, frankly, I had judged this book by its cover. It's an excellent cover, to be fair - all revolving cogs and wheels and jubilant aristocrats striking curious poses. Too bad the book itself is such a disappointment. It takes a wonderful story from history - the making of a chess-playing automaton, which was in reality an elaborate hoax - and turns it into a textbook thriller, with characters who aren't particularly interesting or memorable, and without a
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Aug 24, 2009
Eliza
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The author invented a great story around the bare bones facts available about the Mechanical Turk, but I'm not sure it's the best story it could have been. All of the characters were completely unlikable. Even the "good guy" was so over-the-top good and pious that I didn't care for him. The "bad guy" was so wretched the author had to include a disclaimer at the end saying he made that entire part of his character up.
This would make a great movie, though. Someone
This would make a great movie, though. Someone
Jul 29, 2010
Rachel
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Confusing and populated by unlikable characters, "The Chess Machine" is not a very enjoyable read, but it is incredibly interesting. Based on actual historical events, the book tells the story of a mechanic who in 1770 claims that he has created a machine that can play chess all on its own. In reality, the machine is an elaborate hoax, and the novel details the painstaking process of keeping the secret of the chess machine safe. There's murder and a ton of bizarre sex, and the premise
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Dec 19, 2009
Why: the translator described it this way: There's a novel by Robert Löhr called The Secrets of the Chess Machine about the famous chess-playing automaton that caused a sensation at the court of Maria Theresa. Löhr's flight of fancy is that there was a dwarf who supposedly operated the machinery. It's a very funny book, and I spent a lot of my time trying to persuade the English-speaking public that, contrary to popular opinion, the Germans do have a sense of humour.
Jun 08, 2010
Colin
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I received a copy of this as an Advance Reader's Copy back when I still worked for Borders, and it took me a long time to get around to reading it. This is a delightful little novel based on the true 18th century "Chess Machine" also known as "The Turk" - a fraud that fooled people for several generations. Definitely a fun read, well-written, and intelligent too - not "dumbed down" as so many novels are these days. I highly recommend it.
Jan 06, 2010
Blair
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This is just a wonderful book. The plot moved along at a decent clip never dulling the pace. The characters were vivid and I loved the authors use of glimpses into the future of the main characters.
I heard that many production companies have already bought the rights to this book and I think it would translate into one helluva good movie. I look forward to watching the interpretation.
I heard that many production companies have already bought the rights to this book and I think it would translate into one helluva good movie. I look forward to watching the interpretation.
Dec 28, 2009
Colin
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A spellbinding beginning, a strong ending, and a fascinating piece of history to weave a novel around makes for a nearly brilliant read. Alas, the middle tends towards sensationalist eroticism, detaching the reader from the characters and the plot. Closer to a 4 than a 3, but I wouldn't give this a full 4 stars if I could be more precise.
Apr 21, 2009
Ryan
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The book started out with a bang. There was purpose, a sound story and even an exciting masquerade ball. About half-way through, the story fizzled and I had to quit reading. I think it was obvious that this book was Robert Löhr's first novel. Based on this book, I probably wouldn't read any more of his work.
Nov 27, 2011
Sherry (sethurner)
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In 1770 Baron Wolfgang von Kempelen created an amazing chess playing automaton, a Turk, and exhibited the machine throughout Europe. In fact the Turk could not play chess - a dwarf sat inside the Turk's cabinet and was the brains of the mechanical man. We know this now, though Kempelen went to his grave with the secret. Robert Lohr's novel is fiction, filled with deception, lust, betrayal and murder. There is even an action-packed chase across rooftops at night - very theatrical indeed. It im
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Nov 10, 2011
Carolyn
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I picked this book up at a sidewalk sale knowing nothing about it but the name intrigued me. While paying the man at the cash told me he loved this book and I made a great choice so it piqued my interest even more. Overall this was a great read. The story and conspiracy really intrigued me. It follows the creator of the famous Turk playing machine and expands on the popular theory that the secret behind its master chess playing skill was due to a tiny man controlling the machine from the inside.
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Jul 16, 2009
Padraigh
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Kind of a combination steam punk/historical fiction, The Chess Machine is a surprisingly good read, quick and entertaining. The story is based on a real "Mechanical Turk" that toured around Europe in the 1800's, but whose origins are lost to recorded history. The author takes the beginnings of the machine and makes up his own characters, filling in the origin of how the Turk was first created. What you come up with is a surprisingly fun suspense/thriller style novel, which is quite
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Jan 28, 2011
Melanie
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Well-done indeed! An exploration of the Enlightenment, relationship of man to his mechanical creations, faith vs reason, etc. Based on a true story about an 18th c. hoax which is sending me on to read the background material.
Jan 18, 2010
Taylor
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This is a book I would recommend, not because it's the greatest book I've ever read but it isn't too light, nor too heavy, but just right as Goldilocks would say. At times touching and funny, but overall a great adventure with a nearly perfect structure.
Jan 09, 2011
Jenny
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Intriguing historical premise and engaging storytelling even if the plot twists are somewhat predictable at times. Also, I probably would've enjoyed the book more if I actually knew how to play chess.
Mar 27, 2009
Rebekah
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Very suspenseful and enjoyable. I'm a sucker for historical fiction, and this revolved around what I found to be a very interesting peice of historical deception.
Aug 22, 2007
cindy
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So, there's a magical chess-playing machine called the Mechanical Turk that was built by a dude to impress the Empress so he could quit his boring job as an administrator and focus on building a talking automaton. The Turk is secretly operated by a misanthropic chess-genius Catholic dwarf and apparently everyone in the 1770s is a complete fucking idiot as no one figures it out, but some people are, like, totally suspicious. Anyway, a hoochy-type lady dies under mysterious circumstances when she
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Jan 18, 2009
Peter
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A novelistic account of a true historical anecdote and the invention of the first chess playing machine, which of course was a fake.
Jan 06, 2009
Susan
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A very interesting book about the 18th century "chess playing machine" It'll send you straight to wikipedia to learn more about The Turk!
Jan 20, 2012
Nan
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Really interesting. I didn't know anything about it when I listened to it, and was surprised to learn that it was based on real events.
Aug 24, 2011
Kati
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Picked this up in a bargain bin for 5 bucks, and it's a good example of why I love bargain binning! Although half of what you find ends up being crap, the other half is like this book. Something I probably never would have known existed, or wouldn't have bought full price, and it turned out to be a really enjoyable read. I love historical fiction, and this book is about a place/time I'm not too familiar with... the Hapsburg empire during the late 1700s. About an invention, the "Mechanical T
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Mar 22, 2010
Sarahvaci
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Couldn't put it down - brilliantly written, so detailed and full of history, mystery and excitement !!
