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The Man With The Golden Gun-Some Thoughts
I didn't realize until now why people felt TMWTGG was such a sub par effort until after reading all of the Bond novels in order. Disregarding the external circumstances of the novel (Fleming being sick) the novel seems adrift. It was kind of like Fleming had to bring Bond back but didn't have a strong story to do it. However, it seems that there was a good story here. Fleming mentions that Bond chases Scaramenga around the Caribbean and just missed him each time. Rather than spend time at the hotel, I think it would have made a better story had we seen Bond chase Scaramenga and barely miss him, somewhat like the movie version. It would have made Scaramenga more threatening. As a villain Scaramenga comes off weak compared to other villains. He doesn't seem to posses a threat outside of just being good with a gun.
Finally I have to question M's motive in sending Bond after Scaramenga. Is M extracting revenge on Bond for trying to kill him by sending him on a mission that is sure to kill Bond?
Finally I have to question M's motive in sending Bond after Scaramenga. Is M extracting revenge on Bond for trying to kill him by sending him on a mission that is sure to kill Bond?
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Comments
Some time ago it occurred to me that for the first and only time Bond isn't briefed by M. Tanner comes to him and explains the assignment! Not even sure if Bond is back at HQ, I suspect he's still tucked away somewhere else. Would only be the logic step to keep the head of service' would-be killer away from his target.
But I still like it so far.
I do think it is unbelievable that Scaramanga hires Bond. Shades of a similar plot hole in GF.
Kingsley Amis name has been mentioned very often as the one polishing TMWTGG, and under the name Robert Markham he did write Colonel Sun.
I like the last page where James looks back and forward.
TMWTGG is certainly fare from IF's best.
It was published postheoumously in 1965 and I can remember rushing out with my mother's hard earned wonga to buy the first edition and being hugely disappointed. YOLT had been a let down after the fabulous OHMSS and expectations had been high for TMWTGG particularly as it was rumoured to have been finished off by the great Kingsley Amis. Critics were less than kind and with good reason.
Looking back, although I remain a huge IF fan and regard him as an icon, I have to acknowledge that his work varied significantly in terms of quality. To imagine that TSWLM came from the same pen as FRWL is sometimes difficult.
IN my humble opinion, out of the 12 full length Bond novels only 5 achieved true greatness namely: FRWL, OHMSS, TB, GF, DN.
When you compare that hit rate with other authors with great series characters it can be best described as irratic. Personaly when you read Andrew Lycett's biography I think the IF's variable output is explained by his meloncholy character and the fact that he was constantly in and out of love with Bond.
Albeit, when you write five as great as the aforementioned perhaps you can afford to rest on your laurels?
Regards,
Bentley
I hope to leave some thoughts.
How can you *possibly* leave MR out of that particular list?? :-??
Indeed. MR is my personal favourite of them all.
Hear, hear.
Some rare Bondian literary taste from you Draggers ;)
At last we agree on something, @TheWizardOfIce!
I think it's actually one of his better ones, actually, as I think it's quite Flemingesque in places.
The violence is strong through, almost too graphic. You can tell Fleming was battling at that point.
"At the same time, he knew, deep down, that love from Mary Goodnight, or from any woman, was not enough for him. It would be like taking 'a room with a view'. For James Bond, the same view would always pall."
Even still, it's a very good thriller. Bond's attempted assassination of M, Bond's meeting with Scaramanga at Sav La Mer, the hood's soiree with the striptease, and the conclusion on the train and in the swamp are all noteworthy highlights and fully up to scratch Fleming.
Still better than many thrillers in the genre even today.
Christopher Lee's presence makes it's watchable.
Most of Fleming's villains are nasty in the extreme. Julius No, Red Grant, Mr. Big, Sluggsy Morant, and Hugo Drax are all repulsive, but yes, Scaramanga ranks right up there with 'em.
I like the idea of how Scaramanga stands out as a villain as he was a henchman-type who became the main villain - a Fleming experiment noted by one of our members here - can't remember who exactly, but it is so very true.
It was me.;-) Red Grant could be considered the main villain in FRWL, but he had to share screen, so to speak, with with Rosa Klebb and to a lesser extend Grubozaboischikov. I am not complaining, FRWL was great and this was the novel's originality. But TMWTGG, with all its flaws, and while it is a lesser novel, also has its originality. In TMWTGG, Scaramanga is a henchman, yet much more independent and very much his own man. Reading it, it reminded me that henchmen could be so much more than the big muscular guy.
Sorry. I knew it was a regular posted. I just didn't know who!