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carilius's review against another edition
2.0
Lo de que una lesbiana tiene un desorden hormonal, no tiene precio
owlet's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
3.5
evanwilson's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
aglecoff's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
furmumemma's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Classic James Bond. Somewhat dated in views on race and sensuality, but otherwise entertaining and slightly ludicrous. What more do you want from 007?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Sexism, Violence, and Lesbophobia
hirvimaki's review against another edition
3.0
Not the best of Bond. Although always littered with lots of -isms, this novel in particular overflows with sexism and racism. - far beyond what is understandable for being written at a "certain time". Kind of dumb plot as well...
synthwhoa's review against another edition
3.0
The trouble with Bond, as a rule, is Ian Fleming. Whatever strengths he has as a writer, and they are formidable, his flaws as a man tend to infect his work, like a parasite that gnaws away at the prose. The embodiment of everything wrong with the British Empire, the racism and sexism that define him tend to taint the novels in hindsight.
The trouble with Goldfinger specifically is that the film version is fairly faithful and every deviation from the original work is the correct choice. As a story goes, it's not bad, though there are plenty of tiny flaws which the scriptwriters on the adaptation thought through. Bond's presence in the final act actually makes sense in the film. The logistics of the heist are more thoroughly thought through. The golf scene is brief and doesn't make you want to die a little. All worthy improvements.
But the main improvement of the film is that no screen time is dedicated to being shockingly racist towards Koreans - referred to as apes, subhuman and unnaturally cruel at various points - and there isn't a single scene where we are subjected to Fleming, via Bond, theorizing that giving women the right to vote is making everyone gay. Fans might argue that it's a product of its time, but it was also entirely possible to avoid being racist without harming the content at all. The racism adds nothing but cringe.
Reading the whitest man who has ever lived try to explain Karate is a unique joy, however.
But if you can look past the flaws Fleming inevitably brings you are still faced with this being a first draft for a much better retelling, that of the film.
The trouble with Goldfinger specifically is that the film version is fairly faithful and every deviation from the original work is the correct choice. As a story goes, it's not bad, though there are plenty of tiny flaws which the scriptwriters on the adaptation thought through. Bond's presence in the final act actually makes sense in the film. The logistics of the heist are more thoroughly thought through. The golf scene is brief and doesn't make you want to die a little. All worthy improvements.
But the main improvement of the film is that no screen time is dedicated to being shockingly racist towards Koreans - referred to as apes, subhuman and unnaturally cruel at various points - and there isn't a single scene where we are subjected to Fleming, via Bond, theorizing that giving women the right to vote is making everyone gay. Fans might argue that it's a product of its time, but it was also entirely possible to avoid being racist without harming the content at all. The racism adds nothing but cringe.
Reading the whitest man who has ever lived try to explain Karate is a unique joy, however.
But if you can look past the flaws Fleming inevitably brings you are still faced with this being a first draft for a much better retelling, that of the film.
trangmar's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
frannyglasslover's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
How can you not love a book with a character called Pussy Galore