Tag: Dr. No

Ian Fleming – The Man With the Golden Gun | Review

August 31, 2016
Authors F-J (By Surname)Fiction

Title: The Man With the Golden Gun

Author: Ian Fleming

Type: Fiction

Page Count/Review Word Count: 206

Rating: 8/10

 

Ian Fleming - The Man with the Golden Gun

Ian Fleming – The Man with the Golden Gun

 

This book was short and sweet, like many of the other James Bond novels, and while I’m not sure how closely it’s related to the movie, because I’ve never been a fan of the movies, I did think it was a fun little read and worth sticking with.

Here, Bond is sent to the Caribbean to track down a man called Scaramanga, who they call the Man with the Golden Gun. He’s a dangerous guy, who can draw his weapon faster than Bond can, and so it’s interesting to see the secret agent pitted against someone who could offer a match.

The actual story line is pretty short, and it feels almost more like a short story than a novel, but that’s okay because it’s still a lot of fun and a decent introduction into Bond’s world. I still think that Dr. No is my favourite one so far, but that’s because it feels like more of a main meal; this is an appetiser, and a good way to start if you’ve never read one of the novels before.

 

Ian Fleming

Ian Fleming

 

Click here to buy The Man With the Golden Gun.

Ian Fleming – Dr. No | Review

May 15, 2014
Authors F-J (By Surname)Fiction

Title: Dr. No

Author: Ian Fleming

Type: Fiction

Page Count/Review Word Count: 248

Rating: 9/10

 

Ian Fleming - Dr. No

Ian Fleming – Dr. No

 

Dr. No is one of the stronger Bond novels, a superb tour-de-force by the enthralling Ian Fleming. You’ve probably seen the film version featuring the inimitable Sean Connery as Fleming’s protagonist, but the 007 that Fleming writes about is very different to the playboy extraordinaire that we see on the silver screen.

Here, Bond is weak and half-defeated, away on a mission to Jamaica to carry out a simple task, an investigation in to the unexplained disappearance of Commander John Strangways. Bond is expecting an easy mission, but he quickly discovers that something strange is going on, and all of the rumours seem to surround the eponymous Dr. Julian No, the Chinese operator of a guano mine on the island of Crab Key.

Throughout the novel, Dr. No is a mysterious character who somehow continues to be a threat despite the fact that almost nothing is known about him. The use of guano as a plot device is a stroke of genius, as is the use of the endangered Roseate Spoonbill – they pose a threat to Dr. No, because their protected status proved troublesome to his guano operation.

Overall, this novel comes highly recommended from me, and I think you’ll enjoy it whether you’re a fan of the movies or not – as seems to be the case with most things, the book is better. So go forth and read it!

 

Ian Fleming

Ian Fleming

 

Click here to buy Dr. No.