Review - The World Played Chess by Robert Dugoni
I received a free reading copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Robert Dugoni’s The World Played Chess is an incredible read. Three storylines intertwine to tell the story of William Goodman and Vincent Bianco, who became friends on a work crew in 1979. William is a Vietnam vet and Vincent is a recent high school graduate. As they work together, William begins to tell Vincent about Vietnam. The other storyline finds Vincent 40 years later, navigating life as his son Beau finishes high school. William sends him his Vietnam journal. The reader gets to experience the journal along with Vincent, while also hearing stories directly from William as he told them in 1979.
As with any book about war, this one is heartbreaking. William’s journal and stories bring so many of his fellow soldiers back to life. This book is the ultimate coming-of-age novel, following William, Vincent, and Beau as they encounter struggles that cause them to grow up quickly.
I loved the interwoven plots in this novel. It is masterfully done. I loved the characters and their development. This book is about growing up, but it’s also about letting go and learning to stand alone. It’s about the relationships that make and break each person.
Overall, I highly recommend this book. Sensitive readers should anticipate the violence found in a war novel, as well as racism, language, and sexual content.
The World Played Chess is set for release on September 14, 2021.
