At M's request, Bond confronts Sir Hugo Drax at the card table, on a mission to teach the millionaire and head of the Moonraker project a lesson he won't forget, and prevent a scandal engulfing Britain's latest defence system. But there is more to the mysterious Drax than simply cheating at cards. And once Bond delves deeper into goings on at the Moonraker base he discovers that both the project and its leader are something other than they pretend to be . . .
Moonraker: James Bond 007 (Vintage)
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Amazon Review
Moonraker is a treat of a classic Bond spy thriller. There is intrigue at M's exclusive gambling club "Blades" on Park Lane where Sir Hugo Drax, a multi- millionaire business tycoon, revered by the British public because of his Moonraker missile defence programme, has been accruing millions of pounds at the Poker table. Why would Drax wish to make more money? How could he be achieving such success against the world's premier gamblers? As "the best card-player in the service", Bond is called in to find out the answers.
Bond quickly adjudges Drax a "bullying, boorish, loud-mouthed vulgarian" and, more importantly for his mission, a cheat at cards. Bond beats Drax at his own game, winning thousands of pounds and severely unsettling the millionaire in the process. His advice to 007 before leaving the club is: "I should spend the money quickly, Commander Bond." Indeed.
Never one to ignore a hot tip, Bond is preparing to splash his winnings on a Rolls-Bentley Convertible and three diamond clips when he hears of a double-shooting at Drax's Moonraker base. Concerned about the possibility of sabotage, Bond is sent undercover to investigate, but things just don't add up. Why are the workforce all German--this is post-war Britain after all? On the job, Bond meets Special Branch Agent Gala Brand, planted onsite ostensibly as Drax's private secretary. Despite initial fractious relations, the two spies grow to respect each other and eventually discover the frightening and horrific truth about Drax and Moonraker. Here the plot speeds up and we are treated to some vintage Fleming lines: "Bond set his teeth and rode his car as if she was a Lipizaner at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna."
Moonraker is a finely honed Bond novel displaying all of Fleming's distinctive innuendo and humour. Head and shoulders above the more recent action-packed bestsellers. --Julian Broster --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
Irresistibly readable (Observer )
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Devin Zydel
Format:Paperback
A true masterpiece from the creator himself. I've always loved Moonraker, but this reading, like all other previous ones, just got more enjoyable. I find the main location of this novel, and the only location, England to perfectly suit the dark and nasty story that lurks in this book, the pure mind of the villain, Drax, is clearly shown in Chapter 22, Pandora's Box, and it is shown off to a good extent. This story works with just one location, because it allows everything else to take first place in the story with great emphasis, namely the characters and the plot, which are key in Moonraker.
Yes, it's interesting to note minimal references to Die Another Day --
He suddenly decided to be ruthless. "I'm told that Five and Five is your limit. Let's play for that. -Moonraker, Chapter 6.
Let's play for this. I picked it up in Cuba, I believe it's one of yours. -Die Another Day
The character of "good old" Sir Hugo Drax is one of Fleming's best villains ever, pure mania driving his obsession with fury and his loyalty to the Moonraker project, and any scene with Bond antagonizing him is done very, very well. The description he gets during the card scene, and how Bond uses his deformities to anger him during his telling of his true identity is very effective.
Gala Brand, the woman who is just as apt as James Bond, a true heroine who fights the whole way with Bond for the cause, and whose frosty exterior quickly melts away as soon as she gets to know Bond, without the watchful eye of Drax, Krebs, and Walter. I find their golden day encounter to be a very effective chapter, with the swimming, bleeding flowers, and the cliff accident, that is exciting.
The card scene is pure magnificence, and is quite gripping to the the reader, seeing the tension building up throughout the entire game, especially as Drax realizes that perhaps Bond does indeed have an interesting hand. True villainy as Drax spats orders and insults at his partner, and gets his comment cut short as he loses. A very fine scene.
Overall, I think I enjoy the first two-thirds of Moonraker slightly more than the final third because I think it reads a bit more exciting for me, but the final third is still quite fantastic, such as the waiting for the pressure hose to finally reach Bond and Gala, and the countdown to the launch, all well written.
A true 5 star novel.
commanderbond.net
Yes, it's interesting to note minimal references to Die Another Day --
He suddenly decided to be ruthless. "I'm told that Five and Five is your limit. Let's play for that. -Moonraker, Chapter 6.
Let's play for this. I picked it up in Cuba, I believe it's one of yours. -Die Another Day
The character of "good old" Sir Hugo Drax is one of Fleming's best villains ever, pure mania driving his obsession with fury and his loyalty to the Moonraker project, and any scene with Bond antagonizing him is done very, very well. The description he gets during the card scene, and how Bond uses his deformities to anger him during his telling of his true identity is very effective.
Gala Brand, the woman who is just as apt as James Bond, a true heroine who fights the whole way with Bond for the cause, and whose frosty exterior quickly melts away as soon as she gets to know Bond, without the watchful eye of Drax, Krebs, and Walter. I find their golden day encounter to be a very effective chapter, with the swimming, bleeding flowers, and the cliff accident, that is exciting.
The card scene is pure magnificence, and is quite gripping to the the reader, seeing the tension building up throughout the entire game, especially as Drax realizes that perhaps Bond does indeed have an interesting hand. True villainy as Drax spats orders and insults at his partner, and gets his comment cut short as he loses. A very fine scene.
Overall, I think I enjoy the first two-thirds of Moonraker slightly more than the final third because I think it reads a bit more exciting for me, but the final third is still quite fantastic, such as the waiting for the pressure hose to finally reach Bond and Gala, and the countdown to the launch, all well written.
A true 5 star novel.
commanderbond.net
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Moonraker: Ian Fleming, unabridged reading by Bill Nighy – Bond plays for high stakes.
25 April 2013
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Published in 1955, this is the third print outing for superspy James Bond, in a novel that is stands out even among the pretty high standard of the series.
Bond is asked by M for a personal favour – will he go down to M’s card club and investigate a possible case of cheating by Sir Hugo Drax, a man held so highly in the public estimation due to his sponsorship of a certain defence project that a whiff of scandal would be disastrous. After a tense and nerve wracking card game (for the reader as well as the participants!) he takes Drax at his own game. Soon, events take him to the site of a major missile launch overseen by Drax. There is a whiff of something wrong, imperceptible perhaps, but just a lingering note, and Bond is soon enmeshed in a desperate struggle to stop a madman.
It’s a thrilling ride. Fleming writes with verve and passion, and manages to get the atmosphere across beautifully. In the card game you can feel Bond’s sweat, and the car chase through Kent is a masterpiece of thrilling writing, it had me on the edge of my seat. But he is not afraid to contrast this with the humdrum, the descriptions of Bond’s office life, wearily reading boring files. Fleming uses his usual eye for the grotesque to create an imposing villain, and an eye for detail that fills every scene and brings it alive in Fleming’s own unique style. There is a reason his novels are still so popular when contemporaries such as Alistair MacLean are being forgotten, and one of those is the superior writing and story telling style. It’s a really thrilling book, and a real nail biter in places. Thoroughly recommended read.
Bill Nighy’s unabridged reading is nothing short of masterful. He is well suited to audio-books, as he manages with the slightest of inflections in his voice to distinguish the character’s voices without having to resort to theatrical accents and vocal contortions. His reading is clear and precise, and with a natural rhythm to it that really builds up the tension. His reading of the car chase is just superb and really had me holding my breath.
The book is on 6 discs, and has a run time of just under seven and a half hours. There is a short interview with Nighy at the end. The discs are held in a spindle case. All in all an excellent production.
Bond is asked by M for a personal favour – will he go down to M’s card club and investigate a possible case of cheating by Sir Hugo Drax, a man held so highly in the public estimation due to his sponsorship of a certain defence project that a whiff of scandal would be disastrous. After a tense and nerve wracking card game (for the reader as well as the participants!) he takes Drax at his own game. Soon, events take him to the site of a major missile launch overseen by Drax. There is a whiff of something wrong, imperceptible perhaps, but just a lingering note, and Bond is soon enmeshed in a desperate struggle to stop a madman.
It’s a thrilling ride. Fleming writes with verve and passion, and manages to get the atmosphere across beautifully. In the card game you can feel Bond’s sweat, and the car chase through Kent is a masterpiece of thrilling writing, it had me on the edge of my seat. But he is not afraid to contrast this with the humdrum, the descriptions of Bond’s office life, wearily reading boring files. Fleming uses his usual eye for the grotesque to create an imposing villain, and an eye for detail that fills every scene and brings it alive in Fleming’s own unique style. There is a reason his novels are still so popular when contemporaries such as Alistair MacLean are being forgotten, and one of those is the superior writing and story telling style. It’s a really thrilling book, and a real nail biter in places. Thoroughly recommended read.
Bill Nighy’s unabridged reading is nothing short of masterful. He is well suited to audio-books, as he manages with the slightest of inflections in his voice to distinguish the character’s voices without having to resort to theatrical accents and vocal contortions. His reading is clear and precise, and with a natural rhythm to it that really builds up the tension. His reading of the car chase is just superb and really had me holding my breath.
The book is on 6 discs, and has a run time of just under seven and a half hours. There is a short interview with Nighy at the end. The discs are held in a spindle case. All in all an excellent production.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Ian Meredith
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A far better and completely different story to the movie and very enjoyable. Devoid of gadgets or the daft movie storyline it is also far more credible.
Unfortunately, Fleming makes a major logic gaff in the last pages that is vital to the outcome for the villains. This jarred sufficiently to 'break' the ending for me, but compared to the suspension of disbelief needed in the ridiculous movie... still a good read.
SLIGHT SPOILER:
The '1500mph non-orbital' Moonraker missile is fired 80 miles - a flight duration of a few minutes.
Moments after Moonraker flies, a submarine sails from the Dover launch. Capable of just '23 knots' according to Fleming, it then magically manages to reach the point of impact... ahead of the missile's own arrival! How??
Unfortunately, Fleming makes a major logic gaff in the last pages that is vital to the outcome for the villains. This jarred sufficiently to 'break' the ending for me, but compared to the suspension of disbelief needed in the ridiculous movie... still a good read.
SLIGHT SPOILER:
The '1500mph non-orbital' Moonraker missile is fired 80 miles - a flight duration of a few minutes.
Moments after Moonraker flies, a submarine sails from the Dover launch. Capable of just '23 knots' according to Fleming, it then magically manages to reach the point of impact... ahead of the missile's own arrival! How??
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Period piece not much better than the film
Whilst James Bond may be an iconic figure in the world of cinema, on the printed page it is difficult to really make a case for Ian Fleming's hero being a great literary creation. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Ian Thumwood
5.0 out of 5 stars
So different
Another marvellous story from the pen of Fleming.
Now looking forward to Diamonds are forever. Would love to see a film adaptation closer to the book Moonraker.
Now looking forward to Diamonds are forever. Would love to see a film adaptation closer to the book Moonraker.
Published 21 days ago by Big os
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great
A good read, lots technical details for the lads in it, but is it the only time bond does not get the girl in the end?
Published 1 month ago by opinionated
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good read
So different from the film but so good. I never realised this book was the third in the series. Worthwhile read.
Published 2 months ago by Neil Beeson
5.0 out of 5 stars
great read
1st off forget the movie the book better, great read.
love the bit about james's car and race back thro' kent.
love the bit about james's car and race back thro' kent.
Published 2 months ago by Simon S Gull
5.0 out of 5 stars
Don't believe the Film
What a shame that film directors choose to interfere with a perfectly formed book. I was put onto Ian Flemings books (weve seen the movies) recently and haven't looked back.
Published 3 months ago by Mr. P. Parsons
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not my favourite Bond novel
I think Mr. Fleming was off his game when he penned this novel. It isn't as believable as most Bond books. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Uncle Mac
5.0 out of 5 stars
Moonraker
I chose this rating because of Ian Fleming's brilliance in the art of description. The thing I loved about this book was nail-biting suspense it provided to carry on turning the... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Alfie Parker
5.0 out of 5 stars
They should film this!
For me Moonraker remains the worst of the James Bond Movies (With Quantum of Solace coming a very close second) It was just silly and over the top - UNLIKE THE NOVEL - which was... Read more
Published 5 months ago by AndyMG
5.0 out of 5 stars
Over the Moon (raker)
Bond's third outing under the pen of Fleming and I have to say each book gets better.
Anyone familiar with the film will not find a lot in common here, there is no space... Read more
Anyone familiar with the film will not find a lot in common here, there is no space... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Bridgey
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