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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Stag Routs the Devil's Dream Wolf in Darkness!, 10 May 2004
Raymond Benson has a great respect for, knowledge of, and facility with the original Ian Fleming books about James Bond. As a result, he is able to recreate the well-known formula in ways similar to Mr. Fleming while reflecting and refracting powerful connections to the earlier stories. A thoughtful tip of the hat comes to every one of Mr. Fleming's books at one point or another in the story. As such, the book at some level of a Fleming tribute as much as an action novel. Unfortunately, Mr. Benson lacks the hard edge fascination with the bizarre, the deviant, and evil-doers that gave readers an eye-opening experience in Mr. Fleming's books. All James Bond fans will love the story, but it's a kinder, gentler version.Bond is on the trail of a recent nemesis (of the last few books), Le Gerant (manager or managing director in French) who is head of the evil organization, the Union. They are for hire to the highest bidder and specialize in providing arms for terrorist purposes. The story opens before a raid on a rotting film production facility in southern France. The French authorities have intelligence that arms are being hidden inside. They plan to attack while shooting is going on in one of the adjacent sound stages. Commander Bond disagrees, but it's a French operation, and the attack takes place under Commandant Malherbe (creative name for someone whose leading a doomed operation -- Mr. Benson is good with names that way). It's a Union trap for the French, and soon the French attackers are being cut down. In the desperate struggle that follows, Bond's counterattack causes a fire that burns down the occupied sound stage, killing 19 and injuring many more. The fall-out from the attack leads to Bond's friend, Rene Mathis (From Russia with Love) being put on leave for two months. Disgusted, M. Mathis resigns to track Le Gerant on his own. Bond wants to continue the chase as well, and wins reprieves from M as he makes progress. The book's overriding theme is about seeing and blindness. The theme is explored in terms of visual acuity, identity, foretelling the future, and communication. In this element, Mr. Benson exceeds the master. Although Mr. Fleming also explored complex themes in many dimensions, Mr. Benson is better at it here than Mr. Fleming was at the height of his talents. One of the book's most interesting parts is the way that characters you haven't read about in decades are woven back into this tale. This connection gives the book a powerful way to continue your impressions from those wonderful stories. You will have one major surprise along the way when someone supposedly dead reappears. As in all Bond stories, this novel has much more action than character development. Yet, you will find a few new dimensions to 007 that will probably interest you. There is a graphic description of "safe sex" in one encounter here that feels very much like Fleming at his best. The action all occurs right on schedule, from the obligatory opening scene to the post-battle wind-up with the leading lady. Many of the scenes make good use of the local scenary, and I thought that the Corsican descriptions were especially fine. After you read the book, I suggest that you also think about how risk and reward should be evaluated in your life. When is it a good idea to plunge ahead, and when is temporary caution more appropriate. Dream of better days . . . and take action to secure them!
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by Raymond Benson
by John Gardner
by Raymond Benson
by Raymond Benson
by John Gardner
