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Two things struck me as odd as I read the first chapter:
1) Paul Morphy, born in 1837, attending the funeral of Jean Lafitte who died probably in 1826, but, by a quite credible newspaper account, possibly in 1823. His brother, Pierre, however, did die in 1844.
2) The use of brass bands in antebellum New Orleans funerals. While it seems likely that N.O. funerals of that time on occasion were accompanied by music, it doesn't seem quite so likely that brass bands were employed, especially, as the text seemed to me to imply, jazz-type bands. |
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Comments for: First chapter Posted By: SBC Posted Date: 2009-04-12 |
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Hi Jan, That's great to hear you are related to Paul Morphy, and I hope the book is a rewarding reading experience for you. I wanted to recreate the story of Paul's life because of my love for the city of New Orleans and the fact that his life was a remarkable one, and I felt touched by the dramatic rise and fall of his chess adventures. In terms of researching the book, I basically used a variety of sources including books, novels, histories, journal articles, online information, and my own visit to New Orleans. All together these influences created a lot of overlapping - and sometimes competing story lines - which I worked to create as faithful a version of the real events as possible. Of course sometimes this is not entirely possible, and one instance was changing Telcide's brother's name to Alex from *Charles* Louis LeCarpentier. There was a simple reason for this - to distinguish him from Paul's friend *Charles* Le Maurian!
I'm hoping the book will be available later this year / early next year, when I'll again post on the site. Thanks again!
All best,
Matt |
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Comments for: First chapter Posted By: mattfullerty Posted Date: 2009-02-27 |
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Hi Matt,
I'm curious how you did the research for The Pride and the Sorrow. Since you're using real people, what sources did you find helpful in creating their personalities, lifestyles, etc.?
Thanks,
Jan Dean
New Orleans |
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Comments for: First chapter Posted By: janvdean Posted Date: 2009-02-18 |
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| Hi Matt, Thank you so much for writing this novel. I am a major fan of Paul Morphy, and also a major fan of Willard Fiske to prove it! I have read David Lawson's book, and I too wish they would republish it so I can afford a copy ($160.00 for a used copy too rich for my blood!) I plan on buying your ebook when I am done here. Thanks again, and I look forward to reading the rest of The Pride and the Sorrow! Steve Fortune Tehachapi, Calif. |
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Comments for: First chapter Posted By: KG6JE Posted Date: 2009-01-06 |
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| My book is a novel where the Lawson book - out of print - is a biography. I imagine the biography, if you can get it, tells a similar but different story. And who's to say the biography is more truthful than the novel? The Lawson book has a similar title, I agree. Maybe they'll republish the biography now that the novel's out there? Just my two cents! |
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Comments for: First chapter Posted By: mattfullerty Posted Date: 2008-08-20 |
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I'm confused. David Lawson wrote Paul Morpy: The Pride and Sorrow of Chess, published in 1976.
Is this a re-write? |
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Comments for: First chapter Posted By: thumbslinger Posted Date: 2008-08-19 |
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There is something about New Orleans that instantly transports me into its world. The Pride and the Sorrow promises to make for a great read.
Since I know very little about Paul Morphy, discovering him in this setting will be loads more fun than the dry old chess tomes that clutter my bookshelf.
I only wish I knew French; the urge to look up phrases as I go along annoys me in the way that a buzzing alarm clock threatens to terminate a pleasant dream. Of course, that's not the author's fault, but my own for not paying attention in class :) |
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Comments for: First chapter Posted By: Mitchell Allen Posted Date: 2008-08-17 |
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| I'm impressed by this book which I discovered through www.chess.com. Paul Morphy comes to life as a rounded person, as we follow him from boyhood to manhood. Chess is his making and his master. I liked all the New York bits, and the Army General, and the history of the bad side of town, and the letters and the old style of it. I read for writing as much as story and I'd say after reading about a third - I'm at the New York Chess Congress - and plan to read on. I'd expect it to get published. Some minor chess errors though - zugzwang mentioned too often even for an archaic term. |
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Comments for: First chapter Posted By: frankniel2 Posted Date: 2008-06-16 |
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| Starts with a pirate's funeral! |
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Comments for: First chapter Posted By: jjeffjones4 Posted Date: 2008-05-20 |
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| New Orleans is portrayed with a lot of charm. Chapter One nice when Paul discovers chess with his father and uncle...I'd recommend it. |
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Comments for: First chapter Posted By: jazzyjeff98 Posted Date: 2008-05-16 |
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| I really enjoyed the evocative creation of New Orleans; the author really captures the intensity of a community on the brink of apocalypse (very prescient as it turns out...). The characters are also well-delineated rather than caricatures or cyphers. A seductive read. |
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Comments for: First chapter Posted By: cheer4jimmy Posted Date: 2008-05-16 |
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I enjoyed the beginning. The author pulled me in with some great short passages and imagery. For example: "There will be a special circle of hell for old men like me. Lafitte leads the way!" and "Louisiana came from all over in pagan worship, gawping people like thirsty flies..."
An excellent start. |
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Comments for: First chapter Posted By: Amit Posted Date: 2008-04-19 |
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| Awesome, Best read I have I had the pleasure of experiencing in a long time... |
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Comments for: First chapter Posted By: PWill Posted Date: 2008-04-18 |
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| It moved well, although some of the transitions seemed awkward, in the first couple scenes. The story is promising. |
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Comments for: First chapter Posted By: chrisma Posted Date: 2008-04-18 |
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| The chapter is well-written. The patois seemed authentic. The photos were a nice beginning,also. Good work. |
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Comments for: First chapter Posted By: emerson Posted Date: 2008-04-17 |
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| For a book about chess I was surprised by how gripping this was--romance, international travel, war, and, of course, chess. The main character was a little odd to get to know at first (a chess genius from New Orleans) but you really start to feel for him - especially in trying to get the girl he loves...Anyway, I liked it...plus it's great on describing the cities (Paris and New Orleans especially!). |
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Comments for: Full book Posted By: KatYank222 Posted Date: 2008-04-16 |
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