Gentlemen & Players by Joanne Harris: A Meticulously Planned Game Of Chess | Anastasia F.

Mysteries concealed in the corridors of old private schools, idealisation of traditional educational clothing, the smell of pretence in the classrooms, battles with Latin, maybe a little sprinkle of “Et tu, Brutus?” – all that easily describes one of the popular aesthetics called “dark academia”. Chronically online people would agree with me that Secret History (1992) by Donna Tart is now considered an emblem of the above-mentioned subculture. But between this book about a group of bored classics students and most recently If We Were Villains (2017) by M. L. Rio filled with insufferable Shakespeare fans, there is one particular work that gets overlooked: Gentlemen & Players (2005) by Joanne Harris.

When I received a long voice message from my friend where she was describing how amazed she was by the structure of Gentlemen & Players and its plot journey, I got intrigued. The phrase that actually made me order the book was “I couldn’t put it down all night, my jaw was on the floor.” How can you refuse a piece of literature with twists?

Taking place at St Oswald’s, an old and long-established boys’ grammar school in the north of England, the story is told from the perspective of two realistic and complex characters: an elderly Latin teacher, Roy Straitley, and the main narrator himself, which allows you to look at what is happening both in the past and the present from different points of view. A veteran among teachers, with his peculiarities and great love for St. Oswald’s, is a figure readers will start finding endearing through the progression of the novel. His passion and wit contrast sharply with the other narrator’s calculating, coldly determined moves, whose identity and motivations get brilliantly exposed bit by bit. The book is cleverly divided into parts that are named after chess pieces as well as moves: Pawn, King, Knight, En Passant, Check, Bishop, Queen and Mate. You can guess that every single title metaphorically yet directly captures the events in each of the sections. To make the flow of the plot clearer, the author marked each chapter with a chess piece on whose behalf the speech is being conducted (the white king is the professor, and the black pawn is the one who tells us the tale of their master plan to bring the school down).

During the first third of the book you catch yourself questioning the reason behind some descriptions, and get lost in the names surrounding the school, although quite soon you realise that the story is not for devouring in one sitting, but more for enjoying a unique flavour of writing with an unsettling suspense. One thing that kept nagging me was not understanding why would anyone have such a deep bitter grudge for one place. Thanks to Harris’s elegant and precise prose, filled with vivid descriptions that bring St. Oswald’s and its inhabitants to life, I was able to stay and get through the exposition and rising action. The meticulous plotting ensured that every detail counts, and the foreshadowing in this novel is subtle yet effective, leading to a climactic conclusion that is as shocking as it is satisfying. If you leave the last 150 pages for a one-sit read, I do not recommend doing that at night before work or school because you will not be able to take your eyes away from the pages. One sensational reveal after another makes you feverishly go back to previous chapters where you would be looking for at least one hint that slipped under your nose, but to be honest, reader, you have been played. The truth that was concealed by one unreliable narrator unapologetically catches you in the form of an ice bucket poured on top of your head.

It is also worth mentioning that the novel explores themes of child abuse, identity, and the socioeconomic divides that so often underlie educational structures. Writing from her own experience of teaching for twelve years at the Grammar School for Boys, Harris’s insight into the world of a prestigious institution reveals not only the politics of the Common Room and weird traditions of similar places but also the privileges and pressures associated with such environments. The theme of a hidden past coming back to haunt the present is handled with particular skill, making the reader ponder on the lasting impact of childhood experiences and grievances.

Gentlemen & Players is that type of gripping detective novel that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it. Joanne Harris has written a psychological thriller that not only exists for the joy of reading, but also forces anyone who opens that story to think carefully about the nature of ambition, loyalty, and vengeance. It’s a tragic tale which requires mindful reading and later invites you, reader, to have discussions on its many layers and surprises.

(By the way, it is just the first book of three that explore the story of St Oswald’s, I absolutely recommend reading Different Class and A Narrow Door after Gentlemen & Players.)

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Anastasia is a musical theatre student who comes originally from Ukraine. She plays classical guitar and piano, has studied art history, and bakes brownies in her free time. She is also very passionate about English Medieval History, can talk for hours about Neil Gaiman’s works, and you can always find her with a colourful tote bag on her shoulder. You can find her on Instagram at @asika_blum.