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ceejeffe's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
What an incredibly palatable and accessible spy novel! There certainly was some stereotypical 1950s sentiment but I loved seeing that, even through a modern lense! The romance was in typical Bond-style so it was mostly superficial but it was exactly as advertised!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Torture, and Kidnapping
whatslukereading's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Sexism
notunremarkable's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
I grew up on the movies and this is the first Bond novel I've read. Once you get past the "this was written in the 1950s" aspect behind you to get to the really good stuff. The reader is treated to Bond's internal monologue and we get to see that Bond isn't just a ruthless 00 agent. We see him as a human and suffer with him through **spoiler** torture.
It was a quick, fun read. I don't know that I *need* to read any more Bond novels as I prefer the movie adaptation of the character. But it was still a good read.
It was a quick, fun read. I don't know that I *need* to read any more Bond novels as I prefer the movie adaptation of the character. But it was still a good read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Torture
letter_planet's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Violence
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
madisus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The book is definitely a product of its time, with plenty of misogyny peppered in. It’s a dark novel, with an interior and introspective Bond experiencing graphically horrific torture.
I found myself appreciating how much the recently resolved Second World War permeates the attitude of Bond and everyone around him, which is harder to extrapolate from the modernized Craig movies. To Bond, his “license to kill” is nothing more than what was expected of him and his contemporaries when they were soldiers. It’s part of the job— yet he still struggles with the concept of heroes and villains and the spy’s role as a servant of the state. It was more than I expected from this first novel.
I found myself appreciating how much the recently resolved Second World War permeates the attitude of Bond and everyone around him, which is harder to extrapolate from the modernized Craig movies. To Bond, his “license to kill” is nothing more than what was expected of him and his contemporaries when they were soldiers. It’s part of the job— yet he still struggles with the concept of heroes and villains and the spy’s role as a servant of the state. It was more than I expected from this first novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, and Torture
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: Sexual assault
lisaloulaa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Torture
Moderate: Suicide and Kidnapping
Minor: Rape
fjordpingvin's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Kidnapping, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Suicide, Torture, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Blood and Pregnancy
lct's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Suicide
jordibontje's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Violence
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Antisemitism
drysers's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. There are moments of terrible misogyny but it’s interesting to view these as examples of the deep flaws and insecurities of our main protagonist (and possibly the author).
It’s also interesting to observe how faithful the 2006 film version is and how much the dark elements that permeate the book helped to shape Daniel Craig’s Bond era.
It’s also interesting to observe how faithful the 2006 film version is and how much the dark elements that permeate the book helped to shape Daniel Craig’s Bond era.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Murder, and Alcohol