Questions About The Last Checkmate

by Gabriella Saab (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (4)

Gabriella Saab Hi, author here! The Last Checkmate is inspired by real people and real events - namely, the Polish resistance movement, the camp resistance movement …moreHi, author here! The Last Checkmate is inspired by real people and real events - namely, the Polish resistance movement, the camp resistance movement in Auschwitz, and the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz, which was a group of women who were spared death but forced to use their musical talents to perform for the camp guards, play during prisoner executions or while prisoners marched to and from labor, etc. I applied this idea of using skills for survival to chess, and many of the events that take place are inspired by stories from the resistance movements mentioned above. In addition, there are a few real historical figures featured as secondary characters. I hope this helps, and if you read the story, you'll find a lot more information about the real people, inspiration, and history in my author's note and the bonus material in the back of the book!(less)

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When I received the book, the pages were in a poor condition (rugged edges). Can I check if it's normal?

Gabriella Saab Hi! If I'm understanding you correctly, you're seeing deckle edges. That's when the pages are purposely meant to look rough to resemble handmade/hand …moreHi! If I'm understanding you correctly, you're seeing deckle edges. That's when the pages are purposely meant to look rough to resemble handmade/hand cut paper :) So, yes, it was a design choice, is meant to look that way, and is normal!(less)

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Is there any objectionable content in this book (I'm especially worried about sexual content)?

Gabriella Saab Hi! In this book, I didn't want to lessen the horrors that took place in camps like Auschwitz, but I did my best to be mindful of how such content can…moreHi! In this book, I didn't want to lessen the horrors that took place in camps like Auschwitz, but I did my best to be mindful of how such content can be triggering, so I wanted to depict these horrors as sensitively as possible. To answer your question, there is strong language and violence throughout as well as physical/psychological abuse and impacts that result in PTSD. In terms of sexual content, there is no on-page sex, but there are a few moments of sexual assault as carried out in Gestapo interrogations and concentration camps (i.e. strip searches, physical examinations, nudity), as well as mention of prostitution for the purpose of survival, rape, and impregnation through rape (none of which are witnessed by the reader), and a brief scene in which intended rape is strongly implied, but the rape itself is not carried out (witnessed by the reader). You can find a full list of trigger warnings here, but I'm happy to elaborate on any points if you would like further information: https://gabriellasaab.com/the-last-ch...(less)

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Where did she meet Mateusx? What did she do to hurt him?

flyfishinglady

This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)

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