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3.27 AVERAGE
3.27 AVERAGE
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.
Good book, but racist in a very 1954 "non-racist" way. Fleming tried to make it seem like he believed that black people could do anything a white man could do, but Bond was always very surprised every time it was proven to him. Very hard to read in today's world. But, as far as spy novels go, it's good.
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It's fine. The Bond novels are an interesting venture, especially in contrast to how they were adapted for the screen, but sadly Live and Let Die has not aged all that well. It's enjoyable but largely by the numbers with little in the way of real character work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
If you do a Google search for "ian fleming racist" the first result is the Wikipedia entry for Live and Let Die. That sounds about right. Not sure how much of that is the fact that this was written in 1954 and how much of it was legitimate cultural and racial insensitivity. Still, I grew up in a James Bond loving household, and I was in need of a pallet cleanser. This fit that need.
My first ever Bond book. It set a high target. Unputdownable.
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The racism has not aged well and I’m glad. However, the storyline wasn’t as compelling as in Casino Royale. Sophomore slump?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Misogyny
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A most dated read
Trying to work through these in the order in which they were written. I have hopes that this is the most dated of the series. The racism of the times is simply distracting as is Fleming’s attempt to write what I’m sure he called,”Negro voices.” The book has all the fun things you get from Bond novels but the down sides may make this impossible to read for a modern audience.
Trying to work through these in the order in which they were written. I have hopes that this is the most dated of the series. The racism of the times is simply distracting as is Fleming’s attempt to write what I’m sure he called,”Negro voices.” The book has all the fun things you get from Bond novels but the down sides may make this impossible to read for a modern audience.
....kind of racist in that mid-1950s oblivious kind of way...