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orangeturtle00's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
stuporfly's review against another edition
4.0
Five books into my attempt to read the entirety of the James Bond series in the character's chronology (Forever and a Day by Anthony Horowitz, a recently published prequel to Ian Fleming's Bond debut, plus Fleming's first four Bond novels), and a pattern is emerging: James Bond gets the shit kicked out of him an awful lot. In the case of Diamonds Are Forever, we only get the prelude to Bond's beating, followed by its aftermath, and we're therefore left to imagine the worst. Colorful mob enforcers Wint and Kidd administer the bodily harm, and Bond's uncharacteristic inability to identify them as trouble later yields a grim scene aboard a transatlantic cruise ship.
Bond is still a chauvinistic prig - by now there's little point in hoping for otherwise - and a snob to boot. At times his observations of Las Vegas gamblers and revelers feels like a precursor to Patrick Bateman's cold inner monologue in American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis.
There is also the standard casual racism throughout the book, plus a particularly gruesome paragraph recounting some of the open racism in an earlier novel, Live and Let Die, a paragraph which ends with a terrible joke. These novels would be so much more enjoyable, at least from here, if Fleming's bigotry wasn't so prevalent. That it was apparently more acceptable back then isn't relevant at all.
The value in Diamonds Are Forever is in the plot, the intricacies of the criminal enterprise Bond is sent to infiltrate and destroy, and the often poetic minutiae of Fleming's prose. Whether he accurately describes gambling, as he does here for the third time in four novels, the author certainly makes it seem interesting.
Fun, too, is the window into a world of intrigue, circa 1956. Whether well-heeled and lushly ornate, or worn to the nub and dusty as fuck, the scenes are set beautifully.
It's also interesting to see what filmmakers took from Fleming's original story when Diamonds Are Forever hit the big screen in 1971. Certainly more here made the journey than the novel's predecessor, Moonraker. Some of the diamond smuggling is still there, and a bit of Las Vegas. Wint and Kidd aren't exactly as described in the book, but they were well cast in the film. Shady Tree onscreen is wholly unlike his portrayal on the page, and the film includes a few central characters that aren't anywhere near the plot in the book. Diamonds Are Forever isn't a bad James Bond film, but the book is better.
Bond is still a chauvinistic prig - by now there's little point in hoping for otherwise - and a snob to boot. At times his observations of Las Vegas gamblers and revelers feels like a precursor to Patrick Bateman's cold inner monologue in American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis.
There is also the standard casual racism throughout the book, plus a particularly gruesome paragraph recounting some of the open racism in an earlier novel, Live and Let Die, a paragraph which ends with a terrible joke. These novels would be so much more enjoyable, at least from here, if Fleming's bigotry wasn't so prevalent. That it was apparently more acceptable back then isn't relevant at all.
The value in Diamonds Are Forever is in the plot, the intricacies of the criminal enterprise Bond is sent to infiltrate and destroy, and the often poetic minutiae of Fleming's prose. Whether he accurately describes gambling, as he does here for the third time in four novels, the author certainly makes it seem interesting.
Fun, too, is the window into a world of intrigue, circa 1956. Whether well-heeled and lushly ornate, or worn to the nub and dusty as fuck, the scenes are set beautifully.
It's also interesting to see what filmmakers took from Fleming's original story when Diamonds Are Forever hit the big screen in 1971. Certainly more here made the journey than the novel's predecessor, Moonraker. Some of the diamond smuggling is still there, and a bit of Las Vegas. Wint and Kidd aren't exactly as described in the book, but they were well cast in the film. Shady Tree onscreen is wholly unlike his portrayal on the page, and the film includes a few central characters that aren't anywhere near the plot in the book. Diamonds Are Forever isn't a bad James Bond film, but the book is better.
erincataldi's review against another edition
3.0
Quite different than the movie, and filled with sexist, racist, and homophobic content. However, this was written in the fifties so I won't judge it through today's lens. Plot wise - I thought there would be much more about the diamonds, but really James Bond is seeing how far down the criminal pipeline he can go. They're pretty sure the source of illegal diamonds is from French Guinea (or around there) and they know they end up in America. It's up to Bond to pose as one of the low level carriers and see how far on the criminal trail he can get. His new job takes him to New York, Saratoga, and Vegas. These American mobsters are more methodical and organized than he gave them credit for and it's not as easy as a job as he assumed it would be. Lots of action, intrigue, some sex appeal, and unique villains. Classic James Bond.
bumsonseats's review against another edition
4.0
Another easy read with Mr Bond. Good Bond girl and a hunchback.
I especially liked chapter 19 onwards - nothing beats a good Western fight!
I especially liked chapter 19 onwards - nothing beats a good Western fight!
nearside's review against another edition
3.0
Diamonds are Forever was a strange Bond movie. You could tell that Connery didn't really want to be there. The paycheck was just too good, the largest ever paid out to an actor at the time.
The book is also strange, but any book with Felix Leiter is going to be good. I was pleased to see him back.
The descriptions of Las Vegas in the 50s/60s were compelling and immersing and Fleming is really at his best when he's scene-setting. The secondary characters in this novel are pretty darn good, though I could have done without Ms. Case's strained New York banter and the unnecessary briefing on cheating at horse racing.
The book is also strange, but any book with Felix Leiter is going to be good. I was pleased to see him back.
The descriptions of Las Vegas in the 50s/60s were compelling and immersing and Fleming is really at his best when he's scene-setting. The secondary characters in this novel are pretty darn good, though I could have done without Ms. Case's strained New York banter and the unnecessary briefing on cheating at horse racing.
onesonicbite's review against another edition
3.0
I don't understand how Bond gets to gamble so much on the job. How does he do it?
lizajane38's review against another edition
4.0
This is my 4th Bond book this year (working on reading all of them). I've read reviews that call Fleming a sexist and a racist. I have to disagree on both counts. Racial issues are not really relevant in this story, but there is a "Bond girl" in every story. Fleming spend a fair amount of time describing these women. They are strong, beautiful and independent and Bond has feelings for each of them. They are very different from the women in the movies.
That said, I enjoyed this book as much as the first 3. The action is tense and the descriptions are spot on.
That said, I enjoyed this book as much as the first 3. The action is tense and the descriptions are spot on.
elee2013's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
It’s impossible to deny that Fleming had prodigious talent. His ability to describe a person, a place, in just a brief couple of phrases but still conveying the essence is really impressive. This book is 200 pages of action and characters and settings, all brilliantly sketched.
Bond takes on a US gang in this one, helped along by the damaged Tiffany Case. Diamonds, horse racing, Las Vegas and a cruise ship are all in this; I love how action packed these are. I was glad to see Felix back in action (as was Bond) and I don’t regret deciding to read through this series. Will keep on keeping on.
It’s impossible to deny that Fleming had prodigious talent. His ability to describe a person, a place, in just a brief couple of phrases but still conveying the essence is really impressive. This book is 200 pages of action and characters and settings, all brilliantly sketched.
Bond takes on a US gang in this one, helped along by the damaged Tiffany Case. Diamonds, horse racing, Las Vegas and a cruise ship are all in this; I love how action packed these are. I was glad to see Felix back in action (as was Bond) and I don’t regret deciding to read through this series. Will keep on keeping on.
cuppycups's review against another edition
4.0
pretty cool how james bond is a super spy and also a big big racist