From the book jacket: “From the dark dungeons of Venice to the imperial court in Vienna, from the palaces of the Austrian nobility to the alleyways of the Jewish quarter, The Chess Machine is the breathtaking historical adventure, based on a true story, of a legendary invention.”
I am totally digging this book. I’ve had it sitting on my shelves for a while, see I’m making an effort to read more from my stacks, and it is just the type of historical novel that I like. Rich with descriptions of sounds, smells, setting and with a cast of characters a bit outlandish yet so genuine.
Baron Wolfgang von Kempelen unveils a strange and amazing invention, the Mechanical Turk, an unbeatable chess-playing automaton but the great innovation is actually an illusion. The chess machine is operated from the inside by an Italian dwarf, Tibor.
As the automaton is described with all it’s wires and compartments and with the ultimate goal of making people believe it is a real chess player I can’t help but think of the Steampunk genre, where sophisticated machines mix with bygone eras.
I can only imagine that things won’t go as well as Baron Kempelen hopes for but I know I’m in for a good adventure with this book. Anyone read this one?
And, yep, I’m still only reading one book at a time. Don’t know how much longer this phase is going to last but it’s interesting that it’s lasted this long. I think since back in November I started reading just one book at a time.
Has anyone read this? What did you think?
I haven’t heard of this one but it certainly has an interesting cover. I have sort of been reading one book at a time, though that has meant I have had to put some books aside to come back to.
I haven’t read this, but like Nicole I’m drawn to the cover! I have yet to read anything steampunk-y, but I admire the steampunk jewelry on Etsy and loved this Christmas’ Dr. Who special who had a definite steampunk vibe.
I signed up for the steampunk challenge and this sounds perfect. The cover is so great – I’d probably buy this in a bookstore even if I didn’t know anything about it…
I haven’t heard of this book…I love the cover. Sounds like an interesting book. Happy reading
This sounds good! I hope it continues as well as it has begun.
I read this a couple of years ago (reviewed here: http://bookgarden.blogspot.com/2007/07/chess-machine.html
I thoroughly enjoyed it and did some further research on automatons. Such a fascinating history with museums dedicated to these moving figures!
I have had this one on my shelves for a while now, too. I look forward to hearing more about it–I do love a good historical novel! I can’t seem to stick with just reading one book at a time, though once and a while I’ll do it for a few books in a row. I start to get fidgety when I do that and think about other stories….
Nicole – It’s pretty isn’t it? I want to say there’s a name, other than silhouettes, for that but I can’t think of it right now.
Eva – The steampunk jewelry on Etsy is wonderful isn’t it? I don’t have anything in that style but wouldn’t mind some! ha.
Joanna – Well, I guess it’s not really a steampunk novel but it sort of reminds me of that and well why not add it to the challenge 🙂
Serena – It’s really pretty isn’t it? The paperback cover is so different. Nice but I think this one sums up the book perfectly.
Stefanie – So far so good! I’m getting closer to the end and I just know things are unraveling now for all the major players.
jenclair – Oh thank you for linking your review. Will definitely check it out as soon as I’m done. I would love to see some of these creations – I need to check out if there are any museums on my travels that have these. So fascinating!
Danielle – I do love a good historical too. And, I know, I have no clue why I’m still sticking with one book. So crazy. Actually though I did start another one because I had an appointment and didn’t want to carry my hardback so I grabbed a paperback. Didn’t get to read but a few pages in so I’m sort of not counting it 🙂
Ooooh – I love that cover! Sounds really interesting. Adding it to my list.
I haven’t read this one but it does sound interesting, that’s for sure!
This sounds good! I like a good historical. I try to read just one book at a time but I do have a short attention span.
Never heard of this one, but a dwarf operating from inside. Now thats interesting invention. Waiting to hear your thoughts on it.
jenn – isn’t it pretty? You should see the paperback cover so very different. I prefer this one!
Kathleen – An unusual setting right? I hope to finish this weekend!
bookworm – I typically have a few going on at a time to fit my mood but for a while now I’ve been just sticking with one. Not bad just hadn’t been used to that in a while!
veens – I know, that’s all kinds of crazy isn’t it? So far I’ve really enjoyed it a lot. I think the ending will be a big finale type thing so I hope it doesn’t disappoint.