James Bond

James Bond is one of the most famous fictional characters in the history of contemporary narrative, thanks to a succession of commercially successful novels and a string of even more successful films. Effort must be made, therefore, to separate the Bond of popular culture and the Bond of this particular book, who is in some ways similar to the other Bond and in other ways quite different. Both Bonds work for a secretive government intelligence agency, both Bonds are clever, quick-witted and deadly with a gun, both Bonds have a powerful sexuality, and both Bonds are almost always successful in achieving their mission. Where the Bond of Golden Gun differs with the iconic image of the pop culture Bond is in his depth of character.

While it's true that multi-faceted, multi-leveled characterization is neither the strong point nor the focus of this book, there is the sense...