(Listopia & Decathlon) Diamonds are Forever by Ian Fleming - 3 stars

[annapi]

In my teens I tried to read Casino Royale, the first Bond book. I don't think I finished it, as I was very disappointed in the writing, and never bothered to pick up another. Now I read this book because it satisfies three challenges - monthly tag, Listopia (my last book!) and Decathlon.

I liked it well enough, I was able to finish it and it flowed pretty smoothly. But I'm still not impressed. Maybe because it's so dated, with all the casual misogyny and subtle racism of the time (which doesn't bother me too much because it is a product of its time), but also because it was pretty simplistic, and paced rather slowly. I found the descriptions of Las Vegas interesting, since I just passed through there a few days ago. I'm not a Bond aficionado, so I don't know how it compares to the movie as I haven't seen it. It was interesting to compare the man in the book to the one on screen, though, and they seem like different people. The book Bond is rather eclipsed by the legend that has grown out of the silver screen.

I think if I had a compelling reason to pick up another Bond book I wouldn't mind reading it, but I don't think I would go out of my way to do so.

[Joanne]

I have never read any Bond books, and if you can believe it, I have never seen any Bond movies! I was thinking a while back that I might try to read one-seeing you give this 3 stars, I am probably going to put it on the back burner-3 stars to me is mediocre, and there are too many good books out there for me to read! LOL