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I think I read this for the first and only time about three decades ago, and I recall really liking the action. This time, not so much.... There's not that much action, the "shocking plot twist" with the villain is obvious before the character even appears, and I get tired of the "Bond takes endures a great deal of pain before defeating the enemies" trope.
However, I did appreciate two facets of the novel. First, the subplot with the "Bond girl" didn't end the way I expected. Second, over one quarter of the novel (and almost the entire beginning) is concerned with Bond and M. investigating cheating at cards at a gentlemen's club...
... at bridge.
And yes, I know men play bridge (and cheat at bridge --- see this New Yorker article), but in the 65 years since Moonraker was written, bridge has definitely fallen out of the expected sphere of Bondian interests. But here we get not just a discussion of bridge (and how you might cheat at it), but a detailed history of the gentlemen's club, its menu, decor, and staff, as well as a description of the effects of fine champagne and benzedrine on the human body.
So, worth the read for the beginning, but not really recommended.
However, I did appreciate two facets of the novel. First, the subplot with the "Bond girl" didn't end the way I expected. Second, over one quarter of the novel (and almost the entire beginning) is concerned with Bond and M. investigating cheating at cards at a gentlemen's club...
... at bridge.
And yes, I know men play bridge (and cheat at bridge --- see this New Yorker article), but in the 65 years since Moonraker was written, bridge has definitely fallen out of the expected sphere of Bondian interests. But here we get not just a discussion of bridge (and how you might cheat at it), but a detailed history of the gentlemen's club, its menu, decor, and staff, as well as a description of the effects of fine champagne and benzedrine on the human body.
So, worth the read for the beginning, but not really recommended.