Novels with chess themes

Fred Wilson (of Fred Wilson Chess Books fame) considers Kawabata's The Master of Go the best "chess novel" ever written.  I just read it and it's outstanding.  Kawabata thought it was his best work.  I can't imagine a chess player not enjoying it.  Fred Wilson knows chess and books!

I finished The Grandmaster's King over the weekend and enjoyed it enough to buy the 3rd in the series. Kudos again. This one, for me, was more enjoyable and I thought it flowed a bit better. If I had a criticism, it would be that Ray still behaves and quips as if he knows he's the main character in a novel, which leads to an underlying feeling that nothing that happens to him is of any consequence, but it's improved a bit since the first and I hope to see more growth in the third (final?).

I definitely recommend this series.

@lotsoblots, thank you for your thoughts. I haven't had anyone describe Ray in that way, but that's the great thing about fiction, people all interpret it differently, read it their own way, and get different things out of it. I truly believe that art is subjective and appreciate that each reader finds something different (good or bad!) in the prose.

I am glad you're enjoying them, too! Thanks for your continued support.

Hey, @ChessAuthor. Just checking in to see if you have anything new for us? Lately I've had a hankering for another Ray Gordon style mystery.

@lotsoblots, Thanks for checking in. I am going to take your hankering as a compliment! Thanks so much. I am working on a new book, but it's not a Ray Gordon mystery. I'm enjoying writing it, though, so that's a good sign!

You should definitely take it as a compliment. I really enjoyed all three, each more than the previous. Sorry to hear the next book won't be Ray Gordon, but I'll definitely give it a read. Thanks for the response.

(also, better late than never, but great recommendation on The Master of Go, @oldquaker)