Rating: 
Summary: A Fascinating Read
Review: A fairly complex plot line that blends a "reality plot" with one of fantasy. As the plot lines merge, I finally started to piece together the subtle lesson the book had been trying to teach me all along - the value of life and celebrating it in a variety of ways.As a reader, I don't typically go for the "feel sorry for myself/the Fates are against me" storylines. I do read books that deal with serious, even sad, subject matter, but I seem to react better to those than aren't more of a pity party to which I've (mistakenly) been invited. I don't say this as a good or bad thing, only as an indication of my taste. From that indication, you might better judge my opinion of this book, which is very high, by the way. The story begins as a reminiscence by a widow of her deceased physician husband and how they both dealt with the loss of their son. While this sounds depressing and, to use one of my strongest condemning phrases, angst-filled, it actually handles both issues in a way that left me . . . shoot, how do you describe a sad topic that doesn't leave you exactly sad? Hopeful? So, with that in mind, I loved this book. If I can't describe the plot well, maybe I can do better with the book itself . . . it is impressive and at times, fun. It will slow at points, but hang in there. It'll be worth it in the end.
Rating: 
Summary: Destined to be a classic
Review: A friend of mine insisted that I read this book, and after examining the slip jacket, I reluctantly agreed. However, once I started I could put it down. This book is both a literary marvel as well as a fascinating spiritual commentary. The story is captiving, and the imagery is brilliant. I would recommend it both to the child and to elder. Read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant--the best novel of its decade
Review: As most of the other reviewers have noted, this novel is amazing. It combines the best of mainstream literary fiction with the best of surreal fantasy. Readers of both types of fiction will love this book. I am somewhat perplexed by Cox's comments. The fact is, when we read a book we suspend our disbelief--we don't eradicate it. So the fantasy sequences, no matter what their origin, should still be evocative and powerful to most readers. In fact, their origin makes them all the more powerful to me, as does the allegorical content. This is one of the few books to both uplift me and to make me cry (in a non-sentimental, non-manipulative way).
Rating:
Summary: A moving and thoughtful work.
Review: I found that this was a very thoughtful and beautifully written book. It is very rare that I feel moved to tears by the power of a piece of fiction, but I felt deeply moved by this novel. I hope others will find it and enjoy the journey of this man's life characterized by his mysterious letters home from South Africa which serve as a chronical of it.
Rating:
Summary: The most humane (and divine) novel I've ever read.
Review: I've read "The Chess Garden" only once, four years ago. But a week rarely goes by when my heart and mind don't return to it. I don't pretend to grasp all of its themes. But as a parent, I found deep meaning in this book, wherein God's presence is revealed most fully in the love we feel for our children. And our experience of this love then allows us to turn outward to others, more completely and authentically. Mark Helprin's "Memoir from Antproof Case" touches on this theme, but not with the same power. The Doctor's spiritual quest after the death of his young son rang so emotionally true, so heartbreakingly real, that I've been unable to read it again. (Though I'm sure I will eventually) It's a sad and hopeful book. For those of us who struggle with doubt and strain to glimpse a loving, personal God, we should spend a few summer afternoons in The Chess Garden. Of course, it's only fiction. It merely points the way to what we all have access to, every day, in our real lives.
Rating:
Summary: The most humane (and divine) novel I've ever read.
Review: I've read "The Chess Garden" only once, four years ago. But a week rarely goes by when my heart and mind don't return to it. I don't pretend to grasp all of its themes. But as a parent, I found deep meaning in this book, wherein God's presence is revealed most fully in the love we feel for our children. And our experience of this love then allows us to turn outward to others, more completely and authentically. Mark Helprin's "Memoir from Antproof Case" touches on this theme, but not with the same power. The Doctor's spiritual quest after the death of his young son rang so emotionally true, so heartbreakingly real, that I've been unable to read it again. (Though I'm sure I will eventually) It's a sad and hopeful book. For those of us who struggle with doubt and strain to glimpse a loving, personal God, we should spend a few summer afternoons in The Chess Garden. Of course, it's only fiction. It merely points the way to what we all have access to, every day, in our real lives.
Rating:
Summary: A book of whimsy, wisdom, conviction, and joy.
Review: The Chess Garden is simply one of the best books I have ever read. The protagonist deals with many issues confronting every one: spiritual ambiguity and conviction, passionate love, tragic loss, and one's sense of place and community. The novel moves in three timelines: the doctor's growing up in Europe and courtship of his wife, his imaginary tale of Gulliverian wanderings in the mysterious land of Antipodes, and his hometown of Dayton 13 years after the doctor's famous letters from abroad. I wanted to restart it as soon as I finished it!
Rating:
Summary: Everything an allegory should be...
Review: There is so much to this novel, it almost defies description. Part tragic love story, part allegory, and part Apology, it has the beauty that so many modern novels lack. Hansen's language is gorgeous, and his thoughts inscribe a circle around such far-flung matters as the Christian Church, Arthurian Legend, how to deal with the pain of losing a young son, and Emanuel Swedenborg. Novels like this only come along once in a very very long time, and even though I have written nearly twenty pages for an assignment and read it a dozen times, there are still parts to this that haunt me, to the point where I want to pick the novel up again every once in a while just to savor the parts I love, look anew for threads I have missed, and immerse myself in the language and times of the mid and late 19th century. It is, and will remain one of those books on my 'Books to read once a year' list.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling, Humane Novel of Ideas
Review: This book is an astonishing work of the imagination. It's subjects are deep and moving, yet done in an accessible allegorical way. The book lingers with you for years. A terrifically compelling, entertaining wonderful work for readers that like being engaged on the intellectual and spirital planes.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book I Have Ever Read
Review: This is hands down the best book I have ever read. Ever. I recommend this book to everyone with whom I discuss literature. Hey, YOU should read this book; I really think you'll enjoy it! Best book ever.
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