This was recommended to me by my friend Marcy (thanks, Marchelle). Excellent. Read it in two nights and went to bed only reluctantly the first evening. This one is interesting because of the central role that chess plays in the plot and because of its references to Douglas Hofstadter. It's being compared to Eco's The Name of the Rose , which I haven't read. (I think I watched a movie with this title starring Sean Connery. It was an excellent flick.
(Oh, back to Flanders.) Completely absorbing, it was originally written in Spanish, but has been translated to both French and English. The woman who translated did a very good job, I think. But not knowing Spanish, I've no idea exactly how difficult the task was. One curious thing I noted was that in one place she spelled the word 'kerb' where I think most Americans might have used the word 'curb.' I don't know if this is an error, or if I never knew the correct word, or if that's a Britishism.
An art restorer is given the job of restoring a work of art by the ancient master Van Huys called "The Game of Chess." While researching the painting, she discovers a murder from the period and realizes that the painting holds the clue to the murderer's identity. With the help of a master chess player and and an art historian, she proceeds to solve the murder and simultaneously become embroiled in the murders of the people around her (starting with the art historian).
Frankly, I had guessed who the murderer was, but couldn't figure out motive (actually I had trouble understanding motives for several of things). That whole relationship was an enigma to me. I wonder if the chess references are a little hokey at times, but they are nonetheless interesting. The way Perez-Reverte brings in the discussion of recursion without actually discussing recursion, but only making references to it, is also quite fun.
I've bought this book as a gift for my cousin who recommended the book Pierre; or, the Ambiguities to me. She also sent me a copy of the poetry of Dylan Thomas, which I loved. I love buying presents, but I hate the thought that I might get somebody something that they might already have or may not enjoy. In any case, I think I got a winner this time.
The discussions between the Old Man who owned the paintings and the others, as well as the discussions resulting in the solution to the chess problem were reminiscent of the dialogues in Hofstaedter's Goedel, Escher, Bach . He didn't even have to mention Hofstaedter for us to recognize that he had read that book and been profoundly influenced by it.
It's just a fun book. Read it. Savor it.
