Rating: 
Summary: All That Glitters...
Review: 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: 
Summary: For once, the MOVIE was better!
Review: This is one case in which the MOVIE was definitely better than the book that inspired it...not that the book isn't an entertaining read! The film's pre-credits sequence is referred to briefly in the beginning of the book, but death by electric shock in the tub is easily more inspired than death by karate-chop! In the film, Bond's manhood is threatened by a laser beam; in the book, it's a circular saw. In the film, Goldfinger puts Ft.Knox to sleep with poison gas; in the book, it's the town's tainted water supply. In the film, Goldfinger wants to blow up the fort; in the book, he actually wants to rob it. In the film, both Oddjob and Goldfinger die clever and inventive deaths; in the book, only Oddjob's demise is really unique. But read it anyway! If the description of the meal Bond eats in the Miami restaurant at the beginning doesn't make your mouth actually water, I don't know what will!
Rating:
Summary: Fun and exciting at times.
Review: This is the first 007 story that I have read. After reading some of the other reviewers' takes on the believabilty of the book, I have to shrug my head a bit: it's fiction. Yes, a lot of it is not quite believable, but those moments move the story on to the next stage.It is interesting to me that the filmed versions of 007 really do not deal with his darker side as much. He is a dated cosmopolitan sophisticate who also has some rather funny ideas of women and masculinity. A bit of the homophobic language worried me, but then, as someone else has written, the book is dated and Ian Fleming should be allowed to have his voice. I recommend this book as a good story. Perhaps it is one of Fleming's weakest, but I think he keeps the reader's attention and works out a good plot, even with its silliness and good humor at times.
Rating:
Summary: Fun and exciting at times.
Review: This is the first 007 story that I have read. After reading some of the other reviewers' takes on the believabilty of the book, I have to shrug my head a bit: it's fiction. Yes, a lot of it is not quite believable, but those moments move the story on to the next stage. It is interesting to me that the filmed versions of 007 really do not deal with his darker side as much. He is a dated cosmopolitan sophisticate who also has some rather funny ideas of women and masculinity. A bit of the homophobic language worried me, but then, as someone else has written, the book is dated and Ian Fleming should be allowed to have his voice. I recommend this book as a good story. Perhaps it is one of Fleming's weakest, but I think he keeps the reader's attention and works out a good plot, even with its silliness and good humor at times.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting piece, usual Fleming quality
Review: Usual Fleming/Bond Quality, a fun read, a bit too detailed on the Golf Bit, but over all a nice buy.
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