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Title: Goldfinger: 007, A James Bond Novel by Ian Fleming ISBN: 0-14-200204-6 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: September, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.22 (18 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: All That Glitters...
Comment: This book was far ahead of its time, ignored for the most part after its initial publication, but selling in the millions after the film's release almost a decade later. Give Fleming credit for enormous creative powers in dreaming up a story that, with its castrating laser beams, deadly Korean bodyguards, obese villains and beautiful women, resonated deeply in the darkness of a movie theater. But Fleming's role in helping create modern blockbuster entertainment is only part of the story. The James Bond books as a series are much darker than the films, and "Goldfinger" is no exception, but it's filled with descriptive prose that's among the best of the post-WWII era. Returning to this book after fifteen years confirms an earlier impression that one is dealing with more than a competent thriller-writer here. Though steeped in the Cold War era, and filled with fantastic plot contrivances, Fleming had a keen eye for irony, humor, and the truthful human observation. JFK, while President of the U.S., declared Ian Fleming his favorite author. In fact, as time goes on, Ian Fleming's gifts shine brighter than ever, remaining to be discovered by a new generation of readers.
Rating: 3
Summary: Could be better....missing something
Comment: This book isn't necessarily bad, but Fleming was in way over his head while writing it. The plot is similar to the film in which Bond tangles with a supervillain out to rob Fort Knox (though in the film Goldfinger just wanted to ruin all the gold, not steal it) and his Korean caddy, but few can deny that the film is not only better but much, much easier to believe. In a scene in the film, Bond discusses just how ludicrous it would be to attempt such a robbery of Fort Knox...well, in the book, Goldfinger tries to concoct said robbery. Anyway, the book is seriously flawed. First off, Ian Fleming is not a great writer and when he tries to sell a bunch of scenes in which Bond starts feeling remorse and sickness about all the killing in his life, it's as flat as a wet martini. Le Carre did it much better. I dig the dark edge to Bond's character but the scenes are too many and are too long. Second, Goldfinger is this ruthless SOB who won't be pushed around by anybody, but Bond pisses him off not once but twice, embarassing him and stealing a chunk of his $ as well as one of his ladies. And yet Goldfinger, rather than throwing him to the canibalistic Koreans (Fleming was most definitely not PC by our standards) sucks up to Bond and tells him all about his scheme to knock off Fort Knox, giving him a completely useless job as a secretary, then feigning surprise when, shockingly, Bond betrays him. Third, I don't buy Goldfinger as SMERSH's treasurer. We hear a couple of very long speeches about him and then suddenly at the end of a chapter it's revealed that there's a chance Goldfinger finances SMERSH. I don't know, I just don't buy it. Four, the ending was no good. The book was getting a little long (thanks in no small part to an overview of EIGHTEEN HOLES OF GOLF) and I'm sure Fleming hastily thought up an ending where in a span of about three hours a lesbian (Pussy Galore, who in this book is a tough New York gangster who talks like the Katharine Hepburn character in "Bringing Up Baby" when she's pretending to be a man...Fleming's gift was never dialogue) becomes straight, falls in love/lust with Bond, becomes a total lackey to Goldfinger despite her anger towards men (she's his freaking stewardess!) and rolls off into the sunset with Bond.
That said, it's still a solid, entertaining read, much duller than some of the other books (Dr No is my favorite, Live and Let Die is solid as well as From Russia..., and I love the card game scenes in Moonraker and Casino Royale) but nonetheless fun. I particularly like the scene with five different gangs stuffed together on a train, driving into a town that's just been poisoned....or has it? Anyway, read it, but don't expect too much out of it.
Rating: 5
Summary: One of my Favorite Fleming Novels
Comment: "Goldfinger" has always been one of my favorite James Bond novels from the pen of Ian Fleming. I have read it several times through the years and I still return to it. It is just so well written with Fleming's unique style that the words linger in your mind forever. Good book.
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Title: Doctor No by Ian Fleming ISBN: 0142002038 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: September, 2002 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: From Russia With Love: A James Bond Novel by Ian Fleming ISBN: 0142002070 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: December, 2002 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Thunderball: A James Bond Novel by Ian Fleming ISBN: 0142003247 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: 29 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: For Your Eyes Only: A James Bond Novel by Ian Fleming ISBN: 0142003220 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: 29 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Moonraker by Ian Fleming ISBN: 0142002062 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: December, 2002 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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