Moonraker

This volume is unlike the preceding volumes, as well as those that followed, due to the fact that all the action takes place within London and the English seaside. It's an interesting installment, especially in this day and age, given the fear expressed within it about the crazy man who can fit an atomic bomb within a suitcase. We also see Bond as the spy that Fleming was probably most familiar with: deskwork, paperwork, target practice, etc. It's not until midway through that Bond realizes he's involved in more than just a case of a card-cheat and instead involved in a case of a man who is trying to wipe out London. And, so unlike the movies which followed, Bond is quite human, both in terms of getting beaten about by thugs, but also in not exactly having his way with his female counterpart. A fun, well-paced read -- one of Fleming's most exciting plotlines -- and probably one of the most relevant Bond books fifty years after it was written.

Bond author Ian Fleming was advised by friends to write his second Bond nove LIVE AND LET DIE before he had even tested the waters with his first 007 thriller CASINO ROYALE. Fleming's friends impressed on him that if the first novel failed he would be less inclined to write a second one. His friends need not have worried as is proved by this third 1955 entry into the James Bond literary series. After some shaky elements in his first two novels Fleming and his characteristic Fleming-sweep, really hits its stride here and he delivers a thriller which is not only consistently ranked as one of the best by fans, but also a personal favorite of mine. One of the great strengths of this book (as was the case with the subsequent 1979 movie adaptation) is the main villain Hugo Drax. A leading member of British society with a somewhat mysterious background, Drax is ostensibly building a weapon to help protect Britain, but all is not as it seems. Bond's first encounter with Drax is at the behest of his superior M who is convinced the industrialist is cheating at cards at M's gentleman's club Blades. Bond uncovers the method behind Drax's remarkable winning streak but also effectively turns the tables on him. In this novel Bond is not the superhero of the movie that would follow over two decades later. This is no clearly more evident than in his rejected advances towards Gala Brand, an undercover policewoman at Drax's plant. Brand is actually one of my favorite leading ladies of the Bond literary series, she is both independent and intelligent and one of the better drawn female characters of the Fleming books. The plot is low-key enough, the villain suitably overblown and the so heroine irresistable as to make this compelling reading. Drax's monlogue towards the end is so well done and Fleming keeps the twists and turns coming at a fast enough pace that the reader can easily overlook the improbabilities and plot holes and simply enjoy the book. Well recommended, not just for Bond fans but all people who enjoy a good solid thriller.

This is the third review I have done for a 007 novel and as always I will tell the reader that the book is nothing like the film. Forget the pseudo-science fiction of the movies (done to capitalize on the Star Wars craze) this book is a completely different animal. Plot aside (Moonraker is a super ICBM capable of destroying London; not a space station) the biggest differences are in Bond and mastermind-of-the-hour Hugo Drax. Bond is, again, Fleming's human being as opposed to Hollywood's super-agent (He actually gets TURNED DOWN by his leading lady and you get the feeling he's ACTUALLY A LITTLE HURT). Drax is much more intense in this book, coming off as what today we would call the typical megalomaniacal mastermind (but since Fleming was instrumental in defining such a character, this must be accepted as part of his vision for the 007 mythos). Lastly, sorry Jaws fans: he's not in here -- but check out the Peter Lorre-like Krebs. He's a good villain too. All in all, Moonraker was my favorite of the 007 novels thus far. And though the car chase was a more intense clone of the one in "Casino Royale" it did nothing to detract from the enjoyment of this book.

I am reading (in some cases rereading) the Ian Fleming Bond books in chronological order. Moonraker is the third in the series. As opposed to the first two, this book delves into the life of the government secret agent. His everyday duties at work, and some of the personalities of those with whom he works. There is an emphasis on his chief "M" including M's real name (to my knowledge never spoken in the movies).The point of the story builds slowly, but once exposed the mystery moves with the familiarity of a Bond novel. Again, the writer examines the human side of his character that is not seen in many other adventure novels. This story also differs from the others by having a stronger female character who uses her wits and determination (and not relying on her looks) to save Bond's life. Again, Fleming gives a diabolic antagonist, however, this one is particularly disgusting in his personal qualities. What is very believable, though, is how those who meet this character, including Bond, allow their objectivity to be lost due to social and economic status.The book includes some of the more clever prose by Fleming thus far in the series such as, "Bond could hear a quick, deadly ticking, the hasty tripping of tiny metal feet somewhere in the body of the Moonraker. It filled the great steel chamber like the beating heart in Poe's story..." Missing is the exotic setting common for a Bond story. Finally, for those who see the Bond character as the ultimate male chauvinist, the ending will come as a surprise. Also recommended in this series are, Casino Royale, and Live and Let Die.

This is a very good book, in fact, it is excellent. This is the kind of book that lives up to the first Ian Fleming James Bond Book: Casino Royal. This book contains action packed squeces from an avalanche to a car chase to a missile. It has a good plot, but not one of the best. I suggest this book to anyone who likes action packed books. Ian Fleming portrays characters very closly and makes them seem real and logical. James Bond even considers suicide in one part of the book! Over all, this is one of my favorite James Bond books.