Title: The Eight
Author: Katherine Neville
First published December 27, 1988
598 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780345366238 (ISBN10: 0345366239)
Rating: 3.92
Overview
As she prepares to embark on a new job to Algeria, Cat Velis is visited by a foreboding fortune teller who warns her of impending danger. In addition, an antique dealer solicits her help in locating missing pieces of a valuable chess set with a mysterious history.
The story unfolds to reveal that in 1790, two young girls from a convent in the South of France hid the valuable pieces of the chess set in different parts of the world, fearing the immense power that could be wielded by the game. Follow Cat as she races against time to uncover the secrets of the chess set and unravel the centuries-old mystery.
About the Author
Katherine Neville is an accomplished author hailing from the United States. Among her impressive body of work are notable titles such as The Eight, A Calculated Risk, and The Magic Circle.
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Katherine has enjoyed a diverse professional background, having worked as a skilled photographer, a sought-after model, a valued consultant at the Department of Energy, and even as a high-ranking vice president at the local branch of Bank of America.
Editoral Review
The Eight by Katherine Neville is an astonishing historical thriller that combines intricate chess moves, ancient mythologies, and a modern-day treasure hunt. The book, first published on December 27, 1988, is Neville’s debut novel, and it quickly became a bestseller, garnering critical acclaim from both the literary and thriller communities.
The Eight is set in two different time periods: the 18th-century France during the French Revolution and the 20th-century Morocco, Algiers, and New York. Neville masterfully intertwines these two narratives following two heroines, Mireille and Catherine, as they unravel the mysteries of a centuries-old chess set, which is believed to hold the secret to ultimate power and knowledge.
The novel is a captivating adventure that combines elements of thriller, mystery, and historical fiction. Neville’s writing style is engaging, descriptive, and intricate, which quickly transports the reader into both the past and present setting.
The historical context of the French Revolution, the Spanish Inquisition, and the Holocaust provides an excellent backdrop to the main plot, which centers around the quest to find the chess pieces. The characters in The Eight are well-developed and nuanced.
Neville gives each one a distinct voice and backstory, which elevates them beyond typical thriller tropes. Mireille and Catherine, the two central protagonists, are strong, intelligent, and resourceful women who each carry a heavy burden of their family’s past transgressions.
However, the male characters feel slightly formulaic in comparison, often falling into either the villain or love interest roles. One of the strongest elements of The Eight is its pacing.
Neville balances the dual timelines and subplots effortlessly, steadily building tension and suspense throughout the novel’s 500 pages. The intricate plot twists and turns frequently keep the reader on their toes, not knowing who to trust or what will happen next.
However, some readers may find the sheer volume of characters and subplots overwhelming, especially in the novel’s middle section. The Eight is not without its flaws.
Some critics argue that the novel’s use of ancient mythologies borders on the fantastical, and at times the plot feels overly complex, even convoluted. Additionally, the narrative’s tendency to jump between the two timelines can be jarring for some, and at times it feels as though the past and present storylines are not congruent.
Despite these limitations, The Eight is an entertaining, engaging, and intellectually stimulating work of fiction. It tackles significant historical themes such as power, knowledge, sexism, and intolerance, while also providing an exciting and satisfying conclusion.
Neville’s debut novel paved the way for modern-day thriller writers and earned its place as a contemporary classic. As such, I highly recommend The Eight to fans of the thriller and historical fiction genres.
Neville’s exceptional writing, storytelling, and world-building make for a captivating and thought-provoking read that will satisfy bookworms and literature lovers alike. On a scale of one to five, I would give The Eight a solid four, as it marks the start of an impressive literary career for Katherine Neville.
