So, as I said, book seven. I've read some series where by the seventh book, it feels like a bit of a slog. Yes, even my beloved Wheel of Time fits in there. But with Flemming, I don't feel that . Perhaps its the length of the books, being rather short. Perhaps its the fascinating views of a 1950s man. Could be any number of things, but its the previous one that really stands out here. I present to you a quote from the novel, in which Bond muses about a female character that seemingly shows no interest in him.
"Bond came to the conclusion that Tilly Masterson was one of those girls whose hormones had got mixed up. He knew the type well and thought they and their male counterparts were a direct consequence of giving votes to women and ‘sex equality’. As a result of fifty years of emancipation, feminine qualities were dying out or being transferred to the males. Pansies of both sexes were everywhere, not yet completely homosexual, but confused, not knowing what they were. The result was a herd of unhappy sexual misfits – barren and full of frustrations, the woman wanting to dominate and the men to be nannied."
To me, this was just an awkward and weird bit of exposition. Well, not as weird as later, when he 'cures' Pussy Galore of being a lesbian by... well, I'm sure you can figure it out. Had I read this when originally published, I don't think it would have bothered me. But now, in today's day and age... it is a bit jarring.
But its hardly a major plot point of the book; just something I found interesting.
I keep saying this, but I really liked Goldfinger. As much as Casino Royale I think. Those would probably be my top two books of the series (so far anyway) The plot moves along at a steady clip, and the first meeting between Goldfinger and Bond is well done. I think this is the first time we see a gadget (a homing device that Bond plants on Goldfinger's car) This is the second time I've read this book, and it was just as enjoyable as the first time.
No comments:
Post a Comment