The Queen of Katwe

A Story of Life, Chess, and One Extraordinary Girl

By: Tim Crothers

Narrated by: Robin Miles

The “astonishing” (The New York Times Book Review) and inspirational true story of Phiona Mutesi—a teenage chess prodigy from the slums of Uganda—also a major motion picture starring Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo.

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).

OUTSTANDING

I own a Blu-ray of the movie, so I felt compelled to get the audio book. The book filled in the gaps the movie left out. The movie was inspirational, but now completing the book makes the story of Phiona Mutesi much more significant.

Astonishing.

A remarkable, true, story that is both well written and brilliantly narrated. Very uplifting and highly recommended.

intricate as any chess game

although there is a great deal of Christian influence throughout it is not over done and pulls at your heartstrings as it makes you consider your own fortunate life

Are you depressed? Then don't listen to this book

The girl's story is compelling but the book is relentlessly depressing and painful. You won't learn anything about chess itself other than feeling for the players who have to come home to a slum and one meal a day. I hope she got a healthy cut of the movie rights.

Lessons learned by all

I loved how Robert soaked up everything he could in his growth and continued to reach out to teach show and instill what he knew to his students ‼️
I loved how he opened the children’s eyes what is beyond their ghetto depressed area. He exposed them to what life really is about w hard work- their potential to live and be happy through chess.