Anchors: 5/5
It is hard to imagine, even in the wildest reaches of one’s mind, a book that can blend the tender theme of connecting with family, the difficult theme of true friendship and the incredibly complicated, quite literal theme of the game of bridge.
However, a book of this very nature truly does exist: The Cardturner, a 2010 novel by Louis Sachar. The plot follows Alton Richards, a high schooler whose summer is turned upside down when his parents announce that he has been unknowingly hired to be his blind great-uncle’s cardturner, someone to read out and play his cards during his bridge games. Though he is at first disgruntled, each time Alton helps his uncle, he grows more and more interested in the game and develops a powerful relationship with him, eventually taking a heartwarming risk despite originally thinking they could never have a meaningful connection.
This story’s mastery lies in how it seamlessly blends humor, beautiful themes and just the right amount of magic. The text flows incredibly well without using an overly formal vocabulary. Alton is a complicated protagonist who from page one establishes a connection with the reader as he struggles to figure out who he is and what he cares about. Additionally, the book will appeal to those who have an interest in learning bridge, as it provides some optional sections that introduce the game’s rules in a straightforward style.
I picked up this book uncertain of what to expect; I was at the time learning bridge with my grandpa, but I did not yet fully understand the game and was worried that I would not be able to comprehend the book. Therefore, I can attest that this novel is not just for those who have played bridge or know the game; it is for everyone who loves a story that they will find themselves engrossed in from the moment they pick it up.
