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3.27 AVERAGE
3.27 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Good book with good plot line and good bits of actions
I really do like James Bond. I love the films, and I really enjoyed reading and re-reading Casino Royale. But there is something about Live and Let Die that just didn't hook me.
It took me a while to get into what is a relatively short book. I felt like the first 100 pages dragged and had little content, and then suddenly the book went from 0-60mph in the space of a chapter. And you know what, once it got going, I really enjoyed it and flew through it.
I feel like the central plot that started the story didn't really carry through the book, and was a weak premise to launch such a complicated mission on. I also feel like Bond got both un-necessarily and unrealistically carried away with the side story that is his relationship with the lady of the piece 'Solitaire', and that this actually became the main part of the book.
It may have been nice to see a slightly stronger female character, even if only initially, and it may have come to life during the latter stages, but I didn't love this at all. If I didn't love the films so much I would be slightly put off reading further into the series.
It took me a while to get into what is a relatively short book. I felt like the first 100 pages dragged and had little content, and then suddenly the book went from 0-60mph in the space of a chapter. And you know what, once it got going, I really enjoyed it and flew through it.
I feel like the central plot that started the story didn't really carry through the book, and was a weak premise to launch such a complicated mission on. I also feel like Bond got both un-necessarily and unrealistically carried away with the side story that is his relationship with the lady of the piece 'Solitaire', and that this actually became the main part of the book.
It may have been nice to see a slightly stronger female character, even if only initially, and it may have come to life during the latter stages, but I didn't love this at all. If I didn't love the films so much I would be slightly put off reading further into the series.
So, putting the dated text behind, this was just fun. Great spy feel. But my favorite was just the writing. There was one passage about the fleeting moments of life and it was just very insightful. And the motives of Mr. Big and when he was staring them were almost philosophical. A look at human behavior.
I also really like the use of tools in this book. Not like the films at all, with nifty unique gadgets. More MacGyver. Fun to read.
I also really like the use of tools in this book. Not like the films at all, with nifty unique gadgets. More MacGyver. Fun to read.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
New 2020 review coming soon!!!
I have been a fan since I watched my first James Bond marathon with my Dad when I was young. I have seen and own all of the movies, no matter how bad, but have never read the books other than [b:Casino Royale|3758|Casino Royale|Ian Fleming|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1300156739s/3758.jpg|2503304]. This was not one of my favorite movies but I really enjoyed the book. The book is completely different and picks up right after Casino Royale leaves off. Bond iss on the trail of a SMASH operative after the events of Casino Royale.
What I really enjoyed about this book is that there were a few characters that were introduced into this book that were in the movie DR No. It was interesting to see the first meeting of these characters as Ian Flemming wrote it. I also made me wonder if the relationships of these characters is developed more and I will see them in other novels. I have started my journey on Ian Fleming's Bond and I can't wait to see what comes next.
I have been a fan since I watched my first James Bond marathon with my Dad when I was young. I have seen and own all of the movies, no matter how bad, but have never read the books other than [b:Casino Royale|3758|Casino Royale|Ian Fleming|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1300156739s/3758.jpg|2503304]. This was not one of my favorite movies but I really enjoyed the book. The book is completely different and picks up right after Casino Royale leaves off. Bond iss on the trail of a SMASH operative after the events of Casino Royale.
What I really enjoyed about this book is that there were a few characters that were introduced into this book that were in the movie DR No. It was interesting to see the first meeting of these characters as Ian Flemming wrote it. I also made me wonder if the relationships of these characters is developed more and I will see them in other novels. I have started my journey on Ian Fleming's Bond and I can't wait to see what comes next.
It's fairly simple to dismiss such overt racism and misogyny as being "of its time" but that doesn't make it any more comfortable to read. The adventure itself was fun enough though, and I do like an octopus.
James Bond here is far from the suave, charming agent I remember being presented on screen in the films from my childhood. However, as a spy allowed to kill with impunity, perhaps it is appropriate that he is almost completely unlikable.
I had been planning a run through all the books, but I think I might write that off, for my sanity.
James Bond here is far from the suave, charming agent I remember being presented on screen in the films from my childhood. However, as a spy allowed to kill with impunity, perhaps it is appropriate that he is almost completely unlikable.
I had been planning a run through all the books, but I think I might write that off, for my sanity.
I read all the Bond books (and most of John Gardner's books) as a young teen and recently managed to pick most of them up in newer editions for a pittance in a fantastic bookshop in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast. I'm also working my way back through the films (which I've seen countless times).
Wow. This book is, how do we say it? Colourful? Of the era? Horrifically racist? Yep, that's the one. You can probably argue it was just reflective of an era etc etc but the fact is the depictions of the African American population are terrible.
Is there anything more to it? Well, the plot is intriguing and there are some nifty set pieces and moments of tension. Bond and Leiter visiting a club in harlem; a shoot out in a fish stocked warehouse; the horrific events that occur to poor Felix. It's also impressive how much of it ended up in the film (and other Bond films). Personally I loved the film version as a kid but having watched it a few weeks ago, it doesn't stand up as well as some of the other Moore films.
So, if you're a decent human being you will probably find this pretty hair raising. But there are some interesting moments and the characters of both Bond and Leiter are developed nicely. So, enter at your own discretion.
Wow. This book is, how do we say it? Colourful? Of the era? Horrifically racist? Yep, that's the one. You can probably argue it was just reflective of an era etc etc but the fact is the depictions of the African American population are terrible.
Is there anything more to it? Well, the plot is intriguing and there are some nifty set pieces and moments of tension. Bond and Leiter visiting a club in harlem; a shoot out in a fish stocked warehouse; the horrific events that occur to poor Felix. It's also impressive how much of it ended up in the film (and other Bond films). Personally I loved the film version as a kid but having watched it a few weeks ago, it doesn't stand up as well as some of the other Moore films.
So, if you're a decent human being you will probably find this pretty hair raising. But there are some interesting moments and the characters of both Bond and Leiter are developed nicely. So, enter at your own discretion.