What is the theme of the book the cardturner by Louis Sachar?

Answer 1

The book follows seventeen year old Alton, a typical teenage boy wondering what to do with his next life step, mourning the loss of his first love to his best friend, embarrassed by his parents (with damn good reason - the mother is disgusting!), a little uncomfortable in his own skin and without a real role model on which to base his existence. Alton is floating.

With the sudden eye brightening expectation of an uncle's will being honoured, the vile maternal sends Alton to spend time with 'his favourite uncle Lester', a man he has not seen since he was six. Alton is to be Lester's Cardturner, a necessity these days for his Bridge Games. Uncle Lester is not well, he is a bitter, brittle old man who seems to talk in riddles if not in one word grunts. But boy can he play bridge.

With any good heart warming tale, you learn about the past and understand how tragedy and intrigue can cause enough pain as to change perspective on the whole world. This is what we discover about Lester. Alton begins to piece together a foggy past of lost love and powerful men that seemed to cripple his 'favourite Uncle' for decades. Through it he puts his own life into context and begins to resolve his own demons, along with quietly learning the rules to Lester's only remaining passion.

Answer 2

"The Cardturner" by Louis Sachar explores themes of family relationships, friendship, and personal growth through the game of bridge. The novel also delves into the complexities of communication and understanding between different generations.