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Ian Fleming's FRWL - Novel Discussion

Pierce2DanielPierce2Daniel
edited April 2015 in Literary 007 Posts: 4,410
The book is terrifically structured. It's really a testament to Fleming that the pace and excitement of the story never wanes despite his lead character not entering the story till neigh half-way through. In fact, the most interesting segments of the novel occur during those opening moments. It's clear that with FRWL, Fleming had a certain degree of confidence and I think a large deal of this comes from knowing that he had carved out a marvellous story. Quite frankly, FRWL has the author's most exciting, sexy and suspenseful plot. We get exotic locations, Cold War politics, enticing Russian beauties with duplicitous motivations, mysterious train rides, psychotic villains, etc. There's even a passage in the book where Grant describes the Russian's plot during the train confrontation and it's clear Fleming knows he's on to a doozy.

One element I enjoyed thoroughly was the Cold War aspect of the story. The villain's plot isn't far-fetched or absurd, instead the story focusses on the Russians attempting to win a victory within the intelligence sphere. They plan to discredit the British Secret Service, thusly, bruising MI6 and Bond's reputation with a sex scandal story that will pollute the tabloids for years to come. What makes the plot so much more compelling is how the Russians play on Britain's ailing status and willingness to chase the challenge of getting hold of the Spektor machine. Essentially, the bravado of the British proves their ultimate downfall and provides a crippling defeat for Bond as he, and his superiors, should surely have known better. For me the story has the perfect James Bond plot by interweaving Cold War politics with sex and exoticism. What makes it more interesting is the political landscape of the time; the book mentions the Bugress and MacClean affair and, as such, the novel really carries a sense of paranoia and mistrust as Bond is lulled slowly into SMERSH's trap.

The only disappointing parts of the novel come in the latter stages, especially with Kerim Bey who is something of a dullard. Furthermore, when the story moves to the Orient Express some of the excitement and suspense does disperse and the final train confrontation with Grant is slightly lacklustre, something the film improves upon. Grant, himself is a fantastic villain and Fleming's colourful characterisation is thoroughly entertaining and grotesque.

What do we think?

Comments

  • CrabKeyCrabKey
    Posts: 2,026
    Without having a copy of the novel in front of me, I believe I recall Bond's entry into the story as quite late, which also illustrates Fleming's confidence. One of the reasons this story appeals to me is its lack of scale. Unlike later stories and films, events here are not on a global scale. Even though the film version opens things up a bit, it nonetheless remains a small story.

    Both the novel and the film are in my top five.




  • AceHoleAceHole Belgium, via Britain
    Posts: 1,731
    Started re-reading it yesterday, actually.
    In terms of style, pace and prose I'd say it's Fleming's best work.
  • 007InVT007InVT Classified
    Posts: 893
    Easily best use of spy trade craft; great insight into the Soviet apparatus.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384
    Yes, Bond is missing from the first third of the novel, as it's all setting up the plot.
    Love Grant as a character and he has a fascinating back story. The final confrontation
    On the train is brilliant.
  • suavejmfsuavejmf Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 5,131
    It was unclear if 007 died at the end too.....until DN was released. FRWL is one of Flemings best novels. Mathis should have appeared in the film too.
  • 007InVT007InVT Classified
    Posts: 893
    Very interesting documentary on the KGB:
  • RobertsonRobertson
    edited June 2017 Posts: 170
    delete
  • SIS_HQSIS_HQ At the Vauxhall Headquarters
    Posts: 3,800
    A real life From Russia With Love story, happened in 1963, coincidentally, the same year that the film of same name was released.

    The Christine Keeler and John Profumo affair, also those involved are Yevgeny Ivanov, a Soviet Military Attachè who had a relationship with Christine Keeler, and Stephen Ward, a British Osteopath and Artist, but the scenario are very much like this book, a sex scandal that created a Political controversy.

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jan/04/profumo-scandal-trial-of-christine-keeler-bbc

    https://www.historyextra.com/period/20th-century/real-history-profumo-affair-christine-keeler-who-what-happened/
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