Tag: Bond Girl

Ian Fleming – Diamonds Are Forever | Review

Title: Diamonds Are Forever

Author: Ian Fleming

Type: Fiction

Page Count/Review Word Count: 298

Rating: 8/10

 

Ian Fleming - Diamonds Are Forever

Ian Fleming – Diamonds Are Forever

 

Bond is back, baby! As you might have been able to guess from the title of this novel, which shares its name with one of the films in the franchise, this book is another one of Fleming’s James Bond adventures.

Here, Bond is dealing in diamonds by trying to infiltrate an American gang to find out where they’re getting their diamonds from. Something sketchy is going on, and Bond is tasked with finding out exactly what, by any means necessary.

Along the way, Bond finds himself smuggling diamonds internationally, making friends with a beautiful woman (the obligatory Bond girl) and indulging in plenty of gambling, from cards and roulette to horse racing. See, you pretty much know what you’re going to get when you pick up a Bond novel, and this one doesn’t disappoint you.

 

Ian Fleming

Ian Fleming

 

In fact, I’ve often found the Bond novels to be a little drawn-out, and they’re not always as action-packed as you might hope for. Here though, Fleming never takes his foot off the accelerator, and we have the added benefit of getting to see a number of different locations. Fleming has always had a gift for evoking a sense of time and place in his work, and so it’s a pleasure to see it in action.

Overall then, this is a decent little novel, and it’s easy to speed through it from the start to finish. It might not necessarily be the best Bond novel on the market, but it’s a great little read for what it is. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll have the theme song to the movie stuck in your head every time you pick it up.

 

Ian Fleming

Ian Fleming

 

Click here to buy Diamonds Are Forever.


Ian Fleming – From Russia with Love | Review

Title: From Russia with Love

Author: Ian Fleming

Type: Fiction

Page Count/Review Word Count: 222

Rating: 8/10

 

Ian Fleming - From Russia with Love

Ian Fleming – From Russia with Love

 

As you might have figured out from the title, From Russia with Love is one of Ian Fleming’s Bond novels. I’ve always found the series to be hit and miss, although even the worst of the books are still okay, but in this book, Fleming is at his best.

Here, SMERSH is back, and the first few chapters are told from their point of view, and while I was a little worried to begin with that it wasn’t going to work too well, my fears turned out to be ungrounded. It was a gripping read from start to finish, and by the time that Bond came into the narrative, I was already hooked.

Then we get to see the full vengeance of SMERSH, as well as their talent for cunning plans and planning the death of their enemies, as well as our obligatory Bond girl and a thrilling set of scenes that take place on the Orient Express. I’ve always found the Orient Express to be fascinating, probably because of Agatha Christie, and so it was a lot of fun to revisit it.

Overall, this book was a lot of fun. I’d recommend it if you’re new to Bond.

 

Ian Fleming

Ian Fleming

 

Click here to buy From Russia with Love.