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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
This was probably one of the weakest Bond books. Fleming was trying to expand upon both his character and his ultimate nemesis Ernst Blofeld. Just like the movie this book includes Bond getting married and spends a bunch of time describing her, but the problem ultimately with the book is it's disjointed. It feels as though it were two different story lines trying hard to be pushed together. Where there is some good action and some humerous moments (this came a year after the first movie was premiered and Fleming mentions Ursula Andress as perfect for Bond and suddenly Bond is of Scottish origins {Could this be because of Sean Connery?}, and where his history was never explicitly mentioned, everything in the past mentioned seems as though he were English), this one ultimately falls a bit flat. Worth it if you're reading the series like I am though.
I had to look up more than four kinds of vehicle, because they were used to define characters and without knowing exactly what kind of car it was, we wouldn't know who the characters were.
Also Bond is charmingly inept. The detail that he likes to COUNT his money in old francs, in order to feel rich, but pay for thing in new francs so it doesn't feel like he's spending much is just plain adorable.
The misogyny is real, and ranges from a low of introducing us to Mary by her literal measurements and the office pool on who will bang her first to a high of Tracy being cool under fire and, actually, generally more competent than Bond. So, you know, that's something, at least. But still. Mary Goodnight, 37-22-35. That's an insurmountable level of disrespect.
This is trash, but it was a lot more fun than I was expecting.
Also Bond is charmingly inept. The detail that he likes to COUNT his money in old francs, in order to feel rich, but pay for thing in new francs so it doesn't feel like he's spending much is just plain adorable.
The misogyny is real, and ranges from a low of introducing us to Mary by her literal measurements and the office pool on who will bang her first to a high of Tracy being cool under fire and, actually, generally more competent than Bond. So, you know, that's something, at least. But still. Mary Goodnight, 37-22-35. That's an insurmountable level of disrespect.
This is trash, but it was a lot more fun than I was expecting.
I decided to give this a listen and couldn't have been more pleased with David Tennant's reading. This is also one of the Bond movies I haven't watched too many times either. I decided to re-watch the movie after finishing the book to see just has close the movie was to the book. Again, like with Casion Royale, I still find it a bit of a stretch for a guy like Bond to seeming fall in love over such a short time. The female love interest, Tracy/Teresa, just seemed a bit too wish-washy for me, but when it was explained why Bond could see himself settling down with a woman like Tracy, it made some sense but a long stretch. I found Irma Bundt interesting for a secondary character as well as Marc-Ange Draco. the dialog that the pilot used to bring Bond back across the Swiss Alps under the guise of being the Red Cross was really well done and funny. Overall, I still enjoyed the book.
This is the final James Bond novel wherein he surprises everyone, including himself, by getting married. You’ll have to read the book to find out how the ultimate playboy ends up in this ultimate of predicaments. Could it be love?
I forgot how much literary Bond is consumed with ennui and complaining about the wine list. And how many more frosty lesbians (who might later melt in a real man's arms) he met on paper. But still, it's fun to read these books and see how the plots and characters got mashed up together in to the films that occupied so much of my youth.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Highly problematic language-wise in 2020, but obvious why people (men?) were drawn to such a character and his exploits back in the day.
Loved the ending.
Loved the ending.
“When the odds are hopeless, when all seems to be lost, then is the time to be calm, to make a show of authority – at least of indifference”
― Ian Fleming, On Her Majesty's Secret Service
One of my favorite Bond novels so far. It contains most of the things that draws people to Bond novels and movies (action, intrigue, charm, violence) and tones down some of the more obnoxious parts too (sexism, racism, etc). The character of Bond is fascinating in this novel as his normal cycle with women is warped a bit. The movie sticks pretty close to the narrative on this one, which is probably due to the fact that it was already a pretty well-developed story.
― Ian Fleming, On Her Majesty's Secret Service
One of my favorite Bond novels so far. It contains most of the things that draws people to Bond novels and movies (action, intrigue, charm, violence) and tones down some of the more obnoxious parts too (sexism, racism, etc). The character of Bond is fascinating in this novel as his normal cycle with women is warped a bit. The movie sticks pretty close to the narrative on this one, which is probably due to the fact that it was already a pretty well-developed story.
Slow going until about halfway through. Good ending. (Great imagery with the "Ski Scene"!"
