Title: Moonraker
Author: Ian Fleming
Type: Fiction
Page Count/Review Word Count: 310
Rating: 8/10
I went into Moonraker a little half-heartedly, because I’d heard that it’s the Bond book that has aged the most, but I needn’t have worried. True, the science is a little sketchy from time to time, but it’s not so bad that it forces you to suspend your disbelief and come out of the story.
In fact, I thought it was one of the better Bond novels, and it’s also interesting to note that it’s the only book in the series to be set entirely in England. But that’s cool, because it helps to round it all off, and it’s fascinating to see Fleming’s depiction of a time that’s long gone.
The only real problem that I found here was the lengthy description of a card game towards the start of the novel. Now, I see the point of the card game, because it sets the story up and introduces us to Hugo Drax, the novel’s antagonist, but it did feel a little tedious and I was relieved when it was finally over and we could get on with the story.
But other than that, I thought it was a fantastic little read, and it even seemed to whizz by faster than other Bond novels despite the fact that the book has more pages than most. There were also some generally kick-ass scenes, including one where the side of a mountain falls in, as well as an intriguing story of espionage in which the security of the entire country - and perhaps the whole world - is at stake.
Overall then, this comes recommended by me if you’re already a fan of the Bond series, or if you like to read thrillers or espionage novels. Maybe start with Casino Royale and work your way up.
Ian Fleming
