Description
Discover the gripping narrative of 'Theory of Shadows,' a masterpiece that delves into the mysterious death of the world chess champion Alexander Alekhine. Set against the intriguing backdrop of 1946, this engaging novel unfolds the countless theories surrounding Alekhine's demise in his Estoril hotel room. Fully dressed and with a chessboard just out of reach, Alekhine's death, certified as accidental choking, invites scrutiny and speculation. As questions arise about the authenticity of the circumstances and Alekhine’s controversial past, including rumored anti-Semitic activities during WWII, readers are pulled into a compelling blend of thriller and poetic introspection. Paolo Maurensig expertly weaves elements of biography and mystery, making 'Theory of Shadows' an essential read for aficionados of chess literature and historical fiction alike. With its captivating prose and complex characters, this 192-page novel invites readers to explore not only the fate of a genius but the shadows that linger in the corridors of history. Unravel the enigma behind a genius’s life and legacy with this thought-provoking story that captivates chess enthusiasts and literary seekers. Don’t miss out on this brand-new release from St Martins Press, published in 2019. Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781250310316
Year: 2019
Publisher: St Martins Press
Pages: 192
Description:
On the morning of March 24, 1946, the world chess champion Alexander Alekhine was found dead in his hotel room in Estoril, Portugal. He was fully dressed and wearing an overcoat, slumped back in a chair, in front of a meal, a chessboard just out of reach. The doctor overseeing the autopsy certified that Alekhine choked on a piece of meat, maintaining that there was no evidence of suicide or foul play.
Some, of course, have commented that the photos of the corpse look suspiciously theatrical. Others have wondered why Alekhine would have sat down to his dinner in a hot room while wearing a heavy overcoat. And what about the rumors concerning Alekhine’s anti-Semetic activities during World War II? Is it true that his homeland, Russia, considered him a traitor, as well as a possible threat to the new generation of supposedly superior Soviet chess masters?
With the atmosphere of a thriller and the insight of a poem, Paolo Maurensig’s Theory of Shadows leads us through the life and death of Alekhine: not so much trying to figure out whodunit as using the story of one infuriating and unapologetic genius to tease out "that which the novel alone can discover."
• For readers of Laurent Binet's HHhH
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781250310316
Year: 2019
Publisher: St Martins Press
Pages: 192
Description:
On the morning of March 24, 1946, the world chess champion Alexander Alekhine was found dead in his hotel room in Estoril, Portugal. He was fully dressed and wearing an overcoat, slumped back in a chair, in front of a meal, a chessboard just out of reach. The doctor overseeing the autopsy certified that Alekhine choked on a piece of meat, maintaining that there was no evidence of suicide or foul play.
Some, of course, have commented that the photos of the corpse look suspiciously theatrical. Others have wondered why Alekhine would have sat down to his dinner in a hot room while wearing a heavy overcoat. And what about the rumors concerning Alekhine’s anti-Semetic activities during World War II? Is it true that his homeland, Russia, considered him a traitor, as well as a possible threat to the new generation of supposedly superior Soviet chess masters?
With the atmosphere of a thriller and the insight of a poem, Paolo Maurensig’s Theory of Shadows leads us through the life and death of Alekhine: not so much trying to figure out whodunit as using the story of one infuriating and unapologetic genius to tease out "that which the novel alone can discover."
• For readers of Laurent Binet's HHhH