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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
Oddly enough, I really enjoyed the beginning of this book when there wasn't much plot happening more than when the story got into full swing. Interesting to read this book and compare it to the post Star Wars film version. Fun read for fans of James Bond novels.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Bill Nighy is a superb narrator - can't recommend him highly enough.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Moonraker was, obviously, one of my favorite Bond movies as a kid. It was *designed* to be so. Thirty-cough-cough years later, it's easy to see how the movie was a cynical tie-in and reaction to Star Wars.
The movie *is* fun, though it is probably one of the worst James Bond movies ever made.
The novel, however, is much better than the resulting movie. Still a product of its time, Moonraker focuses on the villain more than some of the other Bond novels. We all know he's the bad guy, but it's the anticipation of *how* and *why* that makes the novel work. In this modern age, too, it's easy to imagine a similar situation. I won't write off folks like Richard Branson or Steve Jobs as harmless capitalist heroes ever again.
The movie *is* fun, though it is probably one of the worst James Bond movies ever made.
The novel, however, is much better than the resulting movie. Still a product of its time, Moonraker focuses on the villain more than some of the other Bond novels. We all know he's the bad guy, but it's the anticipation of *how* and *why* that makes the novel work. In this modern age, too, it's easy to imagine a similar situation. I won't write off folks like Richard Branson or Steve Jobs as harmless capitalist heroes ever again.
Thought this shit was fun as frick. There's an extra long description of a bridge game at the beginning but it was pretty cool even though i dont get bridge.
Perhaps the most notable thing about this installment of the James Bond thrillers is that almost no part has been used in the famous film series; the 1979 picture employs the title, the name of the villain and his rocket, but otherwise there are actually more (if fleeting) similarities to be found in the 2002 entry Die Another Day. With that in mind, one would expect this to be a purely forgettable pulp novel with few redeeming qualities. Yet, in reality, the reverse is actually true.
Although the bridge showdown of Moonraker lacks the tension of the baccarat in Casino Royale, the two sequences do share Fleming's skill with pacing, and the scheme of Bond infiltrating Drax's rocket project is both more believable and more cohesive than either previous novel. The scope of the novel is simply smaller; there are no exotic settings, no mad bombers, and no pet sharks, all of which keeps Bond grounded a little bit more firmly in reality. As usual, it all starts to drag a bit once Bond sets his eye on the girl of the piece, undercover policewoman Gala Brand, but even then there are some very fine adventure set pieces during the countdown to the rocket launch. Plus, the sexism is held relatively in check, with most of Fleming's narrative sneer reserved for the Germans - a reasonable enough target in 1950s Britain.
Although the bridge showdown of Moonraker lacks the tension of the baccarat in Casino Royale, the two sequences do share Fleming's skill with pacing, and the scheme of Bond infiltrating Drax's rocket project is both more believable and more cohesive than either previous novel. The scope of the novel is simply smaller; there are no exotic settings, no mad bombers, and no pet sharks, all of which keeps Bond grounded a little bit more firmly in reality. As usual, it all starts to drag a bit once Bond sets his eye on the girl of the piece, undercover policewoman Gala Brand, but even then there are some very fine adventure set pieces during the countdown to the rocket launch. Plus, the sexism is held relatively in check, with most of Fleming's narrative sneer reserved for the Germans - a reasonable enough target in 1950s Britain.
I have to say this was the most interesting book to read so far out of Bond books. Oddly it isn't because of the content. All movie Bond fans know that Moonraker is the cheesiest, and campiest of all Bond films. And the story was the furthest from the story from what I read so far. I was reading the hoping to see beautiful people try and create a super race, and secretly hoping Jaws would make an appearance. Well they don't happen. In a way it is sad.
But taking the book completely out of context of the horrible remake, it is an excellent story. In a way, not much happens in the story. But that is what makes Bond stories interesting, it is in all the smaller details. But I could of hoped that there wasn't any gambling in this one, since I find reading about a game incredibly dry.
First half of the story focuses on Drax, a new public figure to England. He was a fallen soldier from World War II who has his own rags to riches story, and currently building a missile for England's self defense. M heard that Drax might be cheating at cards, and suspect something fishy is going on. The second half goes from cards to investigation at the Moonraker base.
But taking the book completely out of context of the horrible remake, it is an excellent story. In a way, not much happens in the story. But that is what makes Bond stories interesting, it is in all the smaller details. But I could of hoped that there wasn't any gambling in this one, since I find reading about a game incredibly dry.
First half of the story focuses on Drax, a new public figure to England. He was a fallen soldier from World War II who has his own rags to riches story, and currently building a missile for England's self defense. M heard that Drax might be cheating at cards, and suspect something fishy is going on. The second half goes from cards to investigation at the Moonraker base.
3.5 for this one! Standard, James Bond! I read it while thinking of Tom Hardy as James Bond and it was pretty rad.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes