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andreaskuschwitz's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.0
I really enjoyed this one! (although the racism (especially the racism) and homophobia were off the charts insane)
It had a very nicely structured plot. You could tell the villain‘s patience was being worn thinner and thinner every time Bond got in his way, even if the stakes were low
And the final grand plan was so fun!! Honestly, I still wish Bond had flunked the mission so that the crime would’ve been successful, it was that over the top 😄
But, of course, the ending romance was so bad. Bond, with his endless and unbeatable charm and good looks turns the lesbian, by the name of Miss Pussy Galore (yeah), straight.
Bond: „I thought you were only interested in women.“
Bond: „I thought you were only interested in women.“
Miss Pussy Galore: „I just hadn’t met a man yet.“
Anyway, I liked this one a lot!
rhadams1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
popsiwinkle's review against another edition
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.0
iridescencedeep's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
In which we spend 16 pages (8% of the book) on a game of golf.
Good fun when its fun, which is about half the time because it's mind-bogglingly misogynistic and racist. (Truly: "Pussy Galore"? — and she doesn't even show up until the last 50 pages!)
Also, much more atmospheric than I expected. Lots of waxing philosophical about Bond's inner life, and lots of detailed visual description of people and places.
Good fun when its fun, which is about half the time because it's mind-bogglingly misogynistic and racist. (Truly: "Pussy Galore"? — and she doesn't even show up until the last 50 pages!)
Also, much more atmospheric than I expected. Lots of waxing philosophical about Bond's inner life, and lots of detailed visual description of people and places.
sydsnot71's review against another edition
3.0
This is the third time I've read Goldfinger and I found it - mostly - an entertaining book.
I particularly liked how it began with Bond bitterly contemplating his life after the end of a particularly ugly mission has come to an end and how he is then drawn into an encounter with Goldfinger that proves to be the beginning of something much bigger than anyone could have expected.
I really enjoyed the account of Bond's golf game against Goldfinger. Goldfinger cheats in many small ways, but Bond eventually out cheats him in order to win. I imagine playing Donald Trump at golf would not be dissimilar.
It's a good story, well-told. There were moments when it reminded me a little of Moonraker but I can't complain that this isn't an entertaining read.
I can't let this review go though without making some comment about Fleming/Bond's views on gay men and lesbians. It's definitely very much of its time and sometimes it feels really uncomfortable. Especially the last few pages with Pussy Galore. That borders on the creepy. Fleming definitely seems to be of the school that believes women are only lesbians because they haven't found the right man to take them in hand.
These things are sent to try us. But mostly a good solid Bond book.
I particularly liked how it began with Bond bitterly contemplating his life after the end of a particularly ugly mission has come to an end and how he is then drawn into an encounter with Goldfinger that proves to be the beginning of something much bigger than anyone could have expected.
I really enjoyed the account of Bond's golf game against Goldfinger. Goldfinger cheats in many small ways, but Bond eventually out cheats him in order to win. I imagine playing Donald Trump at golf would not be dissimilar.
It's a good story, well-told. There were moments when it reminded me a little of Moonraker but I can't complain that this isn't an entertaining read.
I can't let this review go though without making some comment about Fleming/Bond's views on gay men and lesbians. It's definitely very much of its time and sometimes it feels really uncomfortable. Especially the last few pages with Pussy Galore. That borders on the creepy. Fleming definitely seems to be of the school that believes women are only lesbians because they haven't found the right man to take them in hand.
These things are sent to try us. But mostly a good solid Bond book.
topdragon's review against another edition
5.0
The seventh novel in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series was first published in 1959 and, interestingly was originally titled, “The Richest Man in the World”. I think we can all agree that “Goldfinger” is a much better title. The plot surrounds the investigation by Bond into the gold smuggling activities of Auric Goldfinger, also suspected by MI6 of being connected to SMERSH, the Soviet counter-intelligence organization. But Bond is only handed the assignment after first encountering Goldfinger in Miami, catching him cheating at cards. It was a portent of things to come as Mr. Goldfinger is perhaps the biggest cheater and most warped and maniacal character in all of the Bond series.
Many readers cite this one as their favorite Bond novel and it’s easy to see why. It has an intriguing plot revolving around the massive greed and absurd love of gold by Auric Goldfinger, a great bad guy sidekick (OddJob), several women in need of seduction (including the lesbian Pussy Galore), capture and escape sequences, and a super fantastic plan to knock off Fort Knox. And let’s not forget the 18 holes of golf which the author manages to make as exciting as a high stakes poker match in Monte Carlo. It’s a fun read, indeed.
As usual, I must caution those readers who are incapable of enjoying a work of fiction while considering the era in which it was written. Ian Fleming’s characters reflect common attitudes of the late 1950‘s including sexism, racism, and particular to this book, homosexuality. If you simply can’t wrap your head around that then I suggest you limit yourself to the Bond novels written by other authors of more recent vintage.
Many readers cite this one as their favorite Bond novel and it’s easy to see why. It has an intriguing plot revolving around the massive greed and absurd love of gold by Auric Goldfinger, a great bad guy sidekick (OddJob), several women in need of seduction (including the lesbian Pussy Galore), capture and escape sequences, and a super fantastic plan to knock off Fort Knox. And let’s not forget the 18 holes of golf which the author manages to make as exciting as a high stakes poker match in Monte Carlo. It’s a fun read, indeed.
As usual, I must caution those readers who are incapable of enjoying a work of fiction while considering the era in which it was written. Ian Fleming’s characters reflect common attitudes of the late 1950‘s including sexism, racism, and particular to this book, homosexuality. If you simply can’t wrap your head around that then I suggest you limit yourself to the Bond novels written by other authors of more recent vintage.
johan_botha69'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
2.25
alextwatts's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
alexandriam_rose's review against another edition
4.0
do you need a two chapter play by play of a full game of golf? this has that! it is actually kinda great.
it being dated in some aspects, is the main downside.
it being dated in some aspects, is the main downside.