Diamonds are Forever
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Amazon.co.uk Review
Diamonds Are Forever, Ian Fleming's fourth Bond novel, has all the hallmarks of a classic 007 adventure and whilst it lacks some of the strength and depth of other books in the series it nevertheless has much to recommend it. The plot concerns a ruthless syndicate known as the Spangled Mob who are running a diamond smuggling pipeline out of Africa into the USA. This is costing England millions of pounds and James Bond is sent to investigate. A promising set up, but it soon becomes apparent that the syndicate's only aim is to get rich and as Bond novels go it is slightly disappointing that this is the sum total of the villains' project.
On a more positive note, Tiffany Case is an excellent Bond girl who plays an integral part in the book. The relationship that develops between her and Bond is highly convincing and well-observed and the book is rich in dialogue between the two. On the topic of marriage:
Bond: "Most marriages don't add two people together. They subtract one from the other."Tiffany: "But it depends what you want it to add up to. Something human or something inhuman. You can't be complete by yourself."
As suggested by the syndicate's comparatively (in Bond terms) modest ambitions, Diamonds Are Forever lacks a really good principle villain, but it does have well-portrayed minor contenders in the form of the duo Wint and Kidd, two violent and ruthless killers. There are some tense moments in the novel and although there is no real action until well over half way through it, once it starts, it is almost non-stop until the end.
One of the outstanding features of this adventure remains the way Fleming wrote the character of Tiffany. Her relationship with Bond adds humanity and life to Diamonds Are Forever. --Jamie Campbell --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
Probably the most forceful and driving writer of thrillers in England (Raymond Chandler )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I first read this when I was in my teans and now I am in my mid-forties I thought it was time for a revisit. I'm a Bond fan, love the films and have read all the various books from Fleming through to Benson and I have to admit I was surprised how much I had forgotten about this book, my memories having been tarnished by the film and the more modern versions of Bond.
Initially I was astonished how old this book was (1956!) and this is more of a detective story with a Bond that is over confident and too casual at times who is at odds with the emerging American mob.
In many ways it does show its age, and this adds to the charm.
Well worth reading to remind oneself where and how it all started...
Initially I was astonished how old this book was (1956!) and this is more of a detective story with a Bond that is over confident and too casual at times who is at odds with the emerging American mob.
In many ways it does show its age, and this adds to the charm.
Well worth reading to remind oneself where and how it all started...
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I think this may be the most underrated James Bond book by Ian Fleming. It literally is a thrilling read. While not his very best, it is a true gem, just with some rough edges.
Tiffany Case is one terrific leading lady by Fleming, one of his better ones, I think. A woman with a strong wall surrounding her for the most part, and one that you do not get to call all the shots with. She goes through quite a change in the story from being the frosty version we meet with Bond's alias of Peter Franks to the much happier one during their nighttime escape and Queen Elizabeth trip.
If there is one problem with this book, it is the obvious one, the villains. Yes, they are hardly some of Fleming's best. Jack and Serrafimo Spang, the beginning and end of the pipeline from England/Africa to the USA, while described as being some of the toughest of the bunch, and made out to be quite the villains, are never given enough actual time in the book to show off exactly what they are. Serrafimo gets a few minimal scenes with Bond, and Jack is....to save for spoilers...hardly in the book much at all. Wint and Kidd are fairly good though. They receive a general amount of time to be shown as a threat to Bond, as odd as they both may be.
The location switching is often claimed as a huge fault of this book, I even used to always harp on that myself, but I've come to see that it really doesn't bother me much at all. London and the USA are done fairly well for me, and I really, really love the moving around in this book. I like reading about the Tiara in the US, and the House of Diamonds, it just feels like a James Bond book.
Very excellent little aspect in this book...
A strong story overall, at times it gets murky, such as in the horse racing, and that sort, but I don't think anything in this story detracts too heavily from the overall plot.
Death is Forever. Diamonds are Forever. And this book is Forever. 4/5
Tiffany Case is one terrific leading lady by Fleming, one of his better ones, I think. A woman with a strong wall surrounding her for the most part, and one that you do not get to call all the shots with. She goes through quite a change in the story from being the frosty version we meet with Bond's alias of Peter Franks to the much happier one during their nighttime escape and Queen Elizabeth trip.
If there is one problem with this book, it is the obvious one, the villains. Yes, they are hardly some of Fleming's best. Jack and Serrafimo Spang, the beginning and end of the pipeline from England/Africa to the USA, while described as being some of the toughest of the bunch, and made out to be quite the villains, are never given enough actual time in the book to show off exactly what they are. Serrafimo gets a few minimal scenes with Bond, and Jack is....to save for spoilers...hardly in the book much at all. Wint and Kidd are fairly good though. They receive a general amount of time to be shown as a threat to Bond, as odd as they both may be.
The location switching is often claimed as a huge fault of this book, I even used to always harp on that myself, but I've come to see that it really doesn't bother me much at all. London and the USA are done fairly well for me, and I really, really love the moving around in this book. I like reading about the Tiara in the US, and the House of Diamonds, it just feels like a James Bond book.
Very excellent little aspect in this book...
A strong story overall, at times it gets murky, such as in the horse racing, and that sort, but I don't think anything in this story detracts too heavily from the overall plot.
Death is Forever. Diamonds are Forever. And this book is Forever. 4/5
Format:Paperback
Diamonds are Forever is probably the weakest of the four James Bond novels I have recently re-read. Bond is roped in to track the pipeline that delivers stolen diamonds from African mines to American consumers - once again something fairly outside his given remit as a double-oh agent.
The plot is fast-paced and exciting, but the characters don't seem to have the richness or texture of those in the previous novels (with the exception of Tiffany Case of course, who could be said to be the real focus of this book). The enemies are fairly loosely defined around single characteristics and there are so many that come and go that it's hard to get a good fix on them.
Perhaps I just find it difficult to relate to this novel as, like Live and Let Die, it is set in the US, and my experiences make me more receptive to the European stories, but apart from the racetrack sequence this novel seems to be missing the level of detail and picture-forming description that made Casino Royale such an enjoyable read.
I can't condemn this as a bad book though. Despite my misgivings it is well written, has a beautifully, if simply, structured plot and features a lot of the classic Bond elements. The only thing missing is that little spark that should set Fleming's masterpieces above the rest of the thriller genre.
The plot is fast-paced and exciting, but the characters don't seem to have the richness or texture of those in the previous novels (with the exception of Tiffany Case of course, who could be said to be the real focus of this book). The enemies are fairly loosely defined around single characteristics and there are so many that come and go that it's hard to get a good fix on them.
Perhaps I just find it difficult to relate to this novel as, like Live and Let Die, it is set in the US, and my experiences make me more receptive to the European stories, but apart from the racetrack sequence this novel seems to be missing the level of detail and picture-forming description that made Casino Royale such an enjoyable read.
I can't condemn this as a bad book though. Despite my misgivings it is well written, has a beautifully, if simply, structured plot and features a lot of the classic Bond elements. The only thing missing is that little spark that should set Fleming's masterpieces above the rest of the thriller genre.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Disappointing installment
Having enjoyed the previous installment 'Moonraker' and several other Bonds I gave up on this one halfway through. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mr. C. Storey
Great read.......forever!!!
Fleming was well into his stride by this 4th installment and this is a slick, entertaining novel that keeps you interested from the first page to the last. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Woofit
James bond book
Book arrived in very good condition and by the estimated date. Would recommend this seller to anyone.
Published on 2 Jun 2010 by Ms. L. A. Tassell
Dull, flat, unexciting and slow
Reading the Bond books in sequence this is the fourth one in, and it's the worst one so far by a long shot. The previous three are all excellent, but this one a big disappointment. Read more
Published on 29 Dec 2006 by Greshon
Failure to Bond
I came to the books after the movies and near half a century after Fleming wrote them. The writing is awe-inspiringly bad; it's hard to credit that Fleming worked at Reuters, this... Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2006 by Stephen
Not as good as others, but one hell of a read,
I've read almost the entire Bond sereis and among all these books, Daimonds stands out. Why does it emerge as an almost seperate book, its style. Read more
Published on 10 May 2005 by Sam Anders
Bond, Detective Bond
For his fourth 007 novel, Fleming drew inspiration from a real-life international diamond smuggling ring which would also be the subject of a non-Bond book, The Diamond Smugglers,... Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2003 by A. Ross
Ian Fleming packs a punch!
Though the book does lack a clear villan it is an excellent Bond book. Ian Fleming writes wonderfully and tells vivid details. Read more
Published on 16 Jun 2002 by "inventor_m"
Enjoyable, but not Fleming's best
'Diamonds are Forever' are the words engraved on golden visiting cards beneath diamond earrings in the windows of the 'House of Diamonds' jewellery shop in New York, a shop that... Read more
Published on 30 April 2001
Good but lacks a really hateable villain
Diamonds are forever is a worthy follow up to Moonraker. The two main criticisms I have are that there is no-one really to despise other than a diamond smuggeling company and... Read more
Published on 7 April 2000
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