Point of View

The novel is told in the third person with insight into James Bond's internal thoughts and motivations. The facts of the story are learned by the reader as the character Bond learns them, and the events unfold as he experiences them. This is one effective way to build suspense and tension in the story as Bond uncovers the real nature of his opponents and their criminal plot. It is a different approach than the kind of suspense that is created in a book from an omniscient point of view, where the reader may be aware of a danger that the main character is not. Making Bond the center of the narrative allows Fleming to surprise his reader with plot twists and sudden changes.

This point of view works best for a character like Bond, who actually thrives on danger, and dives in headfirst to situations that...