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The Queen of Katwe: A Story of Life, Chess, and One Extraordinary Girl Audiobook
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(3.03) - 157 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Now a major motion picture starring Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo, directed by Mira Nair.
The “astonishing” (The New York Times Book Review) and “inspirational” (Shelf Awareness) true story of Phiona Mutesi—a teenage chess prodigy from the slums of Uganda.
One day in 2005 while searching for food, nine-year-old Ugandan Phiona Mutesi followed her brother to a dusty veranda where she met Robert Katende.
Katende, a war refugee turned missionary, had an improbable dream: to empower kids in the Katwe slum through chess—a game so foreign there is no word for it in their native language. Laying a chessboard in the dirt, Robert began to teach. At first children came for a free bowl of porridge, but many grew to love the game that—like their daily lives—requires persevering against great obstacles. Of these kids, one girl stood out as an immense talent: Phiona.
By the age of eleven Phiona was her country’s junior champion, and at fifteen, the national champion. Now a Woman Candidate Master—the first female titled player in her country’s history—Phiona dreams of becoming a Grandmaster, the most elite level in chess. But to reach that goal, she must grapple with everyday life in one of the world’s most unstable countries. The Queen of Katwe is a “remarkable” (NPR) and “riveting” (New York Post) book that shows how “Phiona’s story transcends the limitations of the chessboard” (Robert Hess, US Grandmaster).
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"There are several biographical sketches in this book, but central sketch is of Phiona Mutesi from Katwe, a slum in Kampala, Uganda. We learn of her life until 2011, when the book closes. Phiona is a fifteen year old chess prodigy. Her talent and hard work is worthy of the lavish praise that she has received. However, and this is sad and disturbing, at the close of book, Phiona continues to play chess but, given the daily struggles that she and her family face, a bright future is not necessarily in the offing for Phiona."
— Josie (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“A moving and universal story of the power of potential and the wonder of perseverance. This story will inspire you—and will make you wonder how many more Phionas there are among us.”
— Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, New York Times bestselling author -
“This story of a young woman’s triumph over the unimaginably cruel fortune she was born into would pierce a heart of stone.”
— Hillary Jordan, New York Times bestselling author -
“The Queen of Katwe is gripping. We witness Phiona’s incredible evolution as a player, as she competes against older and far more experienced competitors. It also offers readers a fascinating look at a war-torn and struggling nation, as well as the unlikely story of how her mentor Robert Katende, a refugee of Uganda’s civil war, has created a flourishing chess program for kids in one of Africa’s most treacherous slums. This story has the power to inspire girls everywhere.”
— Alexandra Kosteniuk, Grandmaster, 12th Women’s World Chess Champion -
“Moving…A poignant reminder of the power of hope.”
— Kirkus Reviews
The Queen of Katwe Listener Reviews
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" not a literary great but an inspiring story "
— Kris, 12/7/2013 -
" Young writer but I look forward to his next book. The question is , when?good read! "
— Ricardo, 11/23/2013 -
" As other reviews have pointed out, the beginning of the book is bogged down by (I believe) some structural impediments, but the story as a whole is both inspiring and well-told. "
— Ian, 11/11/2013 -
" A little slow at first but a very inspirational story especially if you have a heart for overseas ministry. "
— Courtney, 11/5/2013 -
" More like 2.5. Okay, but not great. This was expanded from a magazine article, and to some extent it shows. The author had to add a lot of background about other people to justify this as a book-length work. "
— Snail, 9/3/2013 -
" This book would be good for a high school aged reader. It does have a religious overtone. But it gives a look into a girl's life in extreme poverty and her feelings as she transcends her limits. "
— Mk, 8/26/2013 -
" I liked the message but honestly thought this book was a little confusing. The way the author introduced characters....I just can't explain it. I really tired of reading about other people that I didn't think had much to do with the outcome of the story. "
— Rachel, 6/1/2013 -
" This was a really amazing, empowing story. "
— Charlotte, 5/29/2013 -
" An inspiring story of will & determination in the face of unimaginable poverty & deprivation. I couldn't put the book down despite the mediocre writing style. "
— Ruth, 5/22/2013 -
" Inspiring story that is poorly written.. "
— Chitra, 12/3/2012
About Tim Crothers
Tim Crothers is a former senior writer at Sports Illustrated. He is the author of The Man Watching, the biography of University of North Carolina women’s soccer coach Anson Dorrance, and coauthor of Hard Work, the autobiography of UNC basketball coach Roy Williams. He lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with his wife and two children.
About Robin Miles
Robin Miles, named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, has twice won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration, an Audie Award for directing, and many Earphones Awards. Her film and television acting credits include The Last Days of Disco, Primary Colors, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order, New York Undercover, National Geographic’s Tales from the Wild, All My Children, and One Life to Live. She regularly gives seminars to members of SAG and AFTRA actors’ unions, and in 2005 she started Narration Arts Workshop in New York City, offering audiobook recording classes and coaching. She holds a BA degree in theater studies from Yale University, an MFA in acting from the Yale School of Drama, and a certificate from the British American Drama Academy in England.