'Moonraker' by Ian Fleming is the third novel in the James Bond series, published in 1955. The story follows James Bond as he investigates Sir Hugo Drax, a British hero suspected of cheating at cards, leading Bond to uncover Drax's sinister plan involving the Moonraker rocket. The book showcases Bond's more human side, his attention to detail, and his gentlemanly demeanor, distinct from the action hero portrayed in the movies. The plot includes elements of suspense, danger, car chases, explosions, and a touch of romance, with Bond ultimately foiling Drax's nefarious intentions with the help of Gala Brand.
Fleming's writing style in 'Moonraker' is praised for its evocative storytelling set in 1950s Britain, combining the pace of a modern thriller with intricate plot twists and atmospheric descriptions. The novel delves into cold war sensibilities, featuring well-realized villains like Sir Hugo Drax and highlighting Bond's multifaceted character, including his self-doubt, sacrifices, and failures. The book offers a gritty portrayal of Bond's world, where suspense drives the narrative, and the hero's interactions with other characters reveal his complexities beyond the suave spy persona.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for Moonraker include medium levels of violence and racism typical for the period, along with some outdated gender norms and attitudes.
Has Romance?
There is a medium level of romance in Moonraker, particularly through Bond's interest in Gala Brand, who is depicted as a strong and capable character.
From The Publisher:
There is only one Bond.
Spend Christmas with the nation's favourite spy! Catch up on this classic adventure before the release of No Time to Die.
Sir Hugo Drax is a multi-millionaire tycoon and war hero, revered by the British public for his Moonraker missile defence programme. So why does he risk destroying his reputation and the future of the Moonraker programme by gambling millions of pounds at the card table, and is there something suspicious about his winning streak?
As 'the best card-player in the service', Bond is called in to uncover the answers.
But as 007 probes deeper into the activities at the Moonraker base, he discovers that there is more to the mysterious Drax his project than simply cheating at cards...
'Bond is a hero for all time' Jeffrey Deaver
Ratings (8)
Incredible (1) | |
Loved It (3) | |
Liked It (3) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (13):
Read It (10) | |
Want To Read (2) | |
Not Interested (1) |
What can you read after
Moonraker?
About the Author:
Ian Lancaster Fleming was born in London in 1908. His first job was at Reuters news agency after which he worked briefly as a stockbroker before working in Naval Intelligence during the Second World War. His first novel, Casino Royale, was published in 1953 and was an instant success. Fleming went on to write twelve other Bond books as well as two works of non-fiction and the children's classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The Bond books have sold over sixty million copies and earned praise from figures such as Raymond Chandler who called Fleming 'the most forceful and driving writer of thrillers in England' and President Kennedy who named From Russia with Love as one of his favourite books. The books inspired a hugely successful series of film adaptations which began in 1961 with the release of Dr No, starring Sean Connery as 007. Fleming was married to Anne Rothermere with whom he had a son, Caspar. He died in 1964.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
