JoAnneM Posted July 29, 2010 Report Share Posted July 29, 2010 Just bought a new bridge novel from Amazon, "The Cardturner", by Louis Sachar. It is about a teenage boy who has to accompany his blind grandfather to bridge tournaments and gets caught up in the game. I read about it in today's Daily Bulletin at the NABC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLOGIC Posted July 29, 2010 Report Share Posted July 29, 2010 Sounds really exciting, can't wait for the movie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OleBerg Posted July 29, 2010 Report Share Posted July 29, 2010 Sounds really exciting, can't wait for the movie! Expect an XXX rating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1eyedjack Posted July 29, 2010 Report Share Posted July 29, 2010 Sounds really exciting, can't wait for the movie! Expect an XXX rating. X (red card) I would understand. XX (purple card) I would understand. But XXX?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoAnneM Posted July 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2010 Well, this is a very popular author for teens, maybe a few will actually look at the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanoi5 Posted July 30, 2010 Report Share Posted July 30, 2010 Sounds really exciting, can't wait for the movie! What do you propose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barmar Posted July 30, 2010 Report Share Posted July 30, 2010 If we get Zach Effron to play the boy, that could attract more young people to the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrothgar Posted July 30, 2010 Report Share Posted July 30, 2010 Well, this is a very popular author for teens, maybe a few will actually look at the game. I was initially skeptical (like Jason) when I saw the description; however, the author in question wrote a book called "Holes". I though Holes was stellar (in a very weird sort of way) which encouraged me to look at a few reviews... I'm actually vaguely hopeful about this. (I might even get a copy for my nephew) With his latest novel, the Newbery-winning author of Holes (1998) fulfills a need the world probably didn't even know it had: the great teen bridge novel. Alton Richard's great-uncle Lester Trapp is rich and ailing, a combo that leads Alton's parents to hatch a plan for the teen to cozy up to the old man and carve out a chunk of inheritance. Though blind, Trapp is a brilliant, world-class bridge player and needs someone to read him his cards and make his plays. Enter Alton, who wouldn't begin to know how to decipher questions like “One banana, pass, pass, two no-trump. Is that unusual?” But he withstands the constant barbs from his irascible uncle and grows more intrigued by the game (in no small part due to the cute, kind-of-crazy girl who also plays). Sachar liberally doles out detailed commentary on the basics and then nuances of the game, and in a nod to the famously dull Moby-Dick chapter on the minutiae of whaling, a little whale image appears when the bridge talk is about to get deep so readers can skip right ahead to a pithy wrap-up. But don't be fooled: it is astonishing how Sachar can make blow-by-blow accounts of bridge not only interesting but exciting, treating each play like a clue to unravel the riddle of each hand. An obvious windfall for smart and puzzle-minded teens, this is a great story to boot, with genuine characters (save the scheming parents) and real relationships, balanced by casual, confident storytelling. Grades 9-12. --Ian Chipman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimG Posted July 30, 2010 Report Share Posted July 30, 2010 I have a 14 year-old daughter who has read and enjoyed Sachar books (actually 2-3 years ago). I knew Sachar played bridge, but until reading the Bulletins from New Orleans, I didn't know that he had written a bridge novel. Interesting to hear that it is both geared towards teens and has bridge content rather than just being in a bridge setting. I'm curious, but might wait until there is a copy at the library. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
y66 Posted July 30, 2010 Report Share Posted July 30, 2010 Sounds interesting. Will check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 carbon Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 Publishers Weekly "I realize that reading about a bridge game isn't exactly thrilling," 17-year-old narrator Alton tells readers early on. Luckily, this funny and thoughtful novel is as much about building bridges-between generations and maybe even between life and death-as it is about playing cards. Alton gets roped into serving as a card turner for his great-uncle, Lester Trapp, a bridge whiz who recently lost his eyesight (Alton's job is to read Trapp's cards for him). Though Alton barely knows Trapp, his opportunistic mother won't miss a chance for Alton to get in good with his "favorite uncle," who's wealthy and in poor health. To Alton's surprise, he becomes enamored of the game and begins to bond with his crusty uncle-who shares insight into synchronicity and the connection between reality and perception. With dry, understated humor, Alton makes the intricacies of bridge accessible, while his relationships with and observations about family members and friends (including an ex-girlfriend, a manipulative best friend, and especially Trapp's former card turner) form a portrait of a reflective teenager whose life is infinitely enriched by connections he never expected to make. Ages 12-up. (May) Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information. School Library Journal Gr 8 Up-Alton Richards is resigned to spending a slow summer on his own after his girlfriend leaves him for his best friend and he finds himself with no money and no job. Unfortunately, his mother insists that he become his blind great-uncle's chauffeur and cardturner at local bridge tournaments. Though the 17-year-old has only met Lester Trapp on a few occasions, his mother hopes that this connection will inspire the wealthy old man to write the family into his will. Alton reluctantly agrees, even though he knows nothing about bridge and has no interest in learning the game. He meets Toni Castaneda at the tournaments and soon discovers that he's not the only long-lost relative intent on winning over Trapp and his inheritance. What transpires is an intriguing glimpse into a crazy family full of secrets and unusual quirks. The characters are well limned, and the narrative is laced with Sachar's trademark wry humor. Most teens have very little knowledge about bridge, a fact that Alton acknowledges several times throughout the novel. At times, the story line becomes thick with technical game descriptions, though he does offer an option to skip these sections by providing a symbol to indicate more in-depth card instructions. This well-written novel contains a rewarding intergenerational friendship and a sweetly appealing romance in the making. Nonetheless it may require an additional nudge to hook readers. It's a nudge worth giving for motivated teens and those who enjoy Sachar's novels.-Stephanie Malosh, Donoghue Elementary School, Chicago, IL Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information. Booklist *Starred Review* With his latest novel, the Newbery-winning author of Holes (1998) fulfills a need the world probably didn't even know it had: the great teen bridge novel. Alton Richard's great-uncle Lester Trapp is rich and ailing, a combo that leads Alton's parents to hatch a plan for the teen to cozy up to the old man and carve out a chunk of inheritance. Though blind, Trapp is a brilliant, world-class bridge player and needs someone to read him his cards and make his plays. Enter Alton, who wouldn't begin to know how to decipher questions like One banana, pass, pass, two no-trump. Is that unusual? But he withstands the constant barbs from his irascible uncle and grows more intrigued by the game (in no small part due to the cute, kind-of-crazy girl who also plays). Sachar liberally doles out detailed commentary on the basics and then nuances of the game, and in a nod to the famously dull Moby-Dick chapter on the minutiae of whaling, a little whale image appears when the bridge talk is about to get deep so readers can skip right ahead to a pithy wrap-up. But don't be fooled: it is astonishing how Sachar can make blow-by-blow accounts of bridge not only interesting but exciting, treating each play like a clue to unravel the riddle of each hand. An obvious windfall for smart and puzzle-minded teens, this is a great story to boot, with genuine characters (save the scheming parents) and real relationships, balanced by casual, confident storytelling.--Chipman, Ian Copyright 2010 Booklist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike777 Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 I read this book a while ago. It is ok. I dont think most bbo forum members would enjoy it. Your kids who want to know what bridge is all about..might.... think of it as a love story to the game of bridge written for kids who have no idea what bridge is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hog Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 Well, this is a very popular author for teens, maybe a few will actually look at the game. Yes it does sound interesting JoAnne. It is amazing how some people scoff at anything, isn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickRW Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 I read this book a while ago. It is ok. I dont think most bbo forum members would enjoy it. Your kids who want to know what bridge is all about..might.... think of it as a love story to the game of bridge written for kids who have no idea what bridge is. Ha. I have kids that play - but a wife that doesn't - and who does read quite a lot of teen(ish) sorts of novels. Maybe I can't get her to get it for me for a present - I bet she'll read it - and, in any case, my interest is vaguely piqued - I normally never read novels. Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLOGIC Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 Well, this is a very popular author for teens, maybe a few will actually look at the game. Yes it does sound interesting JoAnne. It is amazing how some people scoff at anything, isn't it? Lol, really strange that you've gone from bashing me directly to thinly-veiled passive-aggression. I preferred it when you at least said it how it was! Hope this book brings people into bridge, but sounds really boring. Sorry if you're annoyed by that thought, maybe you're biased! It is really amazing how some people go through life so ignorant and stupid, I'm glad I'm not that way. I guess the ignorance saves those people from being sad about such a fact though. Not saying it's about anyone in this thread though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrothgar Posted August 30, 2010 Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 I was initially skeptical (like Jason) when I saw the description; however, the author in question wrote a book called "Holes". I though Holes was stellar (in a very weird sort of way) which encouraged me to look at a few reviews... I'm actually vaguely hopeful about this. (I might even get a copy for my nephew) FWIW, The Cardturner is currently ranked as the #18 Amazon Bestseller in the Books – Teens – School & Sports – Fiction category. It was ranked as high as #6 earlier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwery_hi Posted August 30, 2010 Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 If we get Zach Effron to play the boy, that could attract more young people to the game. meh. I think Justin Bieber should play the part Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted August 30, 2010 Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 If we get Zach Effron to play the boy, that could attract more young people to the game. meh. I think Justin Bieber should play the part Shia LaBeouf played the protagonist in "Holes". His career hasn't exactly stalled since that project :angry: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bid_em_up Posted August 30, 2010 Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 Sounds really exciting, can't wait for the movie! Expect an XXX rating. X (red card) I would understand. XX (purple card) I would understand. But XXX?? XXX is when you see dummy and know that you are screwed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1eyedjack Posted August 30, 2010 Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 Sounds really exciting, can't wait for the movie! Expect an XXX rating. X (red card) I would understand. XX (purple card) I would understand. But XXX?? XXX is when you see dummy and know that you are screwed. I thought it might have been a reference to the pictures on the fronts of the cards, acquired from some joint in a naval dockyard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdmunro Posted October 16, 2010 Report Share Posted October 16, 2010 It's a good read. I'm half-way through. Plenty of wry humor. I bought if for a nephew, but he'll just have to wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickRW Posted October 16, 2010 Report Share Posted October 16, 2010 Well, I've read it now. I thought it was a decent read and that Sachar is a good author. As a bridge player I wanted to either a) get more bridge in it or b] get most of the bridge out of it and concentrate on the story. But bridge players are, I think, not who Sachar was aiming at. I think it might inspire some folks who could be interested in the game but haven't been yet - which is probably what Sachar actually wants. Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel Posted October 23, 2010 Report Share Posted October 23, 2010 I am well over my teen years and enjoyed this book very much. I have recommended it as a gift for someone over 85. There is always something you can get from a well written novel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siegmund Posted October 23, 2010 Report Share Posted October 23, 2010 Here is where the suspension of disbelief aspect gets strained: ... grows more intrigued by the game (in no small part due to the cute, kind-of-crazy girl who also plays) The shortage of cute young ladies playing the game is why all the boys are staying home playing video games instead of coming to the club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickRW Posted October 23, 2010 Report Share Posted October 23, 2010 The shortage of cute young ladies playing the game is why all the boys are staying home playing video games instead of coming to the club. I've definitely seen one attractive young lady playing bridge - er - in the last 3 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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