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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Classic Bond story set in the Alps, will go back and read the series as I accidentally started on book 11.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
By the premise it sounded like I would enjoy this instalment of James Bond the most but I never got invested in the audio book and didn't much care for this book. It's not bad but not my cup of tea
Short Review: I enjoyed the Bond movies as a kid (and still do mostly enjoy the new ones). But the cartoonish villians of the old movies bug me. So I was annoyed by this movie when I caught part of it on TV a while back. But as a book the plot seems more reasonable and of the original Bond books I think I rank it highest of those I have read.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/majestys-secret-service/
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/majestys-secret-service/
I may have read another Bond book years ago, but if so I don’t remember it clearly enough to comment on it. This one, however, does a nice job demonstrating Fleming’s writing ability. The language seems almost literary at times, in contrast to more modern thrillers. The story is engaging and mostly fast-paced, though the plot of the novel is a bit slower, less convoluted, and more thoughtful than a typical Bond movie, in which the action rarely lets up for even a moment. But the character of Bond comes through, and the rest of the cast is interesting enough.
Of course there’s nothing here that comes across as truly original, given the extent to which Bond and his exploits have become well-known cultural elements in the sixty years since this was written. There are the car chases (both cars and locations exotic) the gunplay, the criminal masterminds, the thuggish henchmen, even the escapes via ski and bobsled. Not to mention, of course, the obliviously sexist attitudes of the protagonist (and most other male characters), as well as the female characters who justify it by their stereotypical “Bond girl” behavior. It’s all in good fun though, and the formula largely works to create an enjoyable read.
Anyway, this is not one of my usual genres, but not bad for a change.
Of course there’s nothing here that comes across as truly original, given the extent to which Bond and his exploits have become well-known cultural elements in the sixty years since this was written. There are the car chases (both cars and locations exotic) the gunplay, the criminal masterminds, the thuggish henchmen, even the escapes via ski and bobsled. Not to mention, of course, the obliviously sexist attitudes of the protagonist (and most other male characters), as well as the female characters who justify it by their stereotypical “Bond girl” behavior. It’s all in good fun though, and the formula largely works to create an enjoyable read.
Anyway, this is not one of my usual genres, but not bad for a change.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Murder
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
My first James Bond novel and maybe my last. I really liked the espionage parts and his mission. I just don't like how much of a play boy he is and all the sex scenes.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes