The Cardturner

This author’s previous novel Holes sold over eight million copies. This new novel, his first for four years, will almost certainly prove less popular. Largely revolving around the game of bridge, it is packed with the sort of information wonderful for enthusiasts but despite all Sachar’s efforts not terribly interesting for everyone else. A keen player of the game himself, his story of a 17-year-old boy forging a relationship with a blind great uncle has its moments if only the two could more often get away from the card table that increasingly dominates their lives. Some romantic touches and the author’s dry humour help things along until the next battle for tricks re-commences. Sachar cannot be faulted for his ambition to get across the finer points of a game that is apparently losing popularity as other leisure interests take over. But this is still a tough read.