The Chess Machine - Softcover

Lohr, Robert

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0143114360 ISBN 13: 9780143114369

Publisher: Penguin Group USA, 2008

Synopsis

In 1770, Baron Wolfgang von Kempelen introduces Vienna to the Mechanical Turk?an unbeatable chess-playing automaton that, unbeknownst to an astonished Europe, is in fact nothing more than an illusion. The Turk is actually operated from within by a God-fearing dwarf named Tibor, whose chess-playing abilities and diminutive size make him the perfect accomplice in this grand hoax. But when a seductive countess dies under mysterious circumstances in the presence of the Turk, the machine and its inventor become the target of espionage, persecution, and intrigue. Based on a true story, this celebrated debut is a daring piece of storytelling, brimming with lust, scandal, and deception.

About this title

Review:

a If you liked "Perfume" youall love it. . . . ["The Chess Machine"] will grip you from the very first page.a
a"Harperas Bazaar"
aA promising debut.a
a"Entertainment Weekly"
a Rich in detail and psychological depth . . . this is a work of such marvelously creative imagination that it makes little difference whatas factual and what isnatait all rings true.a
a"Kirkus Reviews" (starred review)
a Magnificentaa thinking manas thriller brimming with politics both social and sexual.a
a"Bookgasm"

If you liked "Perfume" you ll love it. . . . ["The Chess Machine"] will grip you from the very first page.
"Harper s Bazaar"
A promising debut.
"Entertainment Weekly"
Rich in detail and psychological depth . . . this is a work of such marvelously creative imagination that it makes little difference what s factual and what isn t it all rings true.
"Kirkus Reviews" (starred review)
Magnificent a thinking man s thriller brimming with politics both social and sexual.
"Bookgasm"

? If you liked "Perfume" you?ll love it. . . . ["The Chess Machine"] will grip you from the very first page.?
?"Harper's Bazaar"

?A promising debut.?
?"Entertainment Weekly"

? Rich in detail and psychological depth . . . this is a work of such marvelously creative imagination that it makes little difference what's factual and what isn?t?it all rings true.?
?"Kirkus Reviews" (starred review)

? Magnificent?a thinking man's thriller brimming with politics both social and sexual.?
?"Bookgasm"

About the Author:

Anthea Bell translated E. T. A. Hoffman's The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr for Penguin Classics and has received a number of translation awards.

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Group USA
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0143114360
• ISBN 13: 9780143114369
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 344