A review by jaclynday
Carte Blanche, by Jeffery Deaver
2.0
Have you ever read a James Bond novel? I reviewed one on my blog about a year ago and I think I’ve read every Ian Fleming novel published.
There’s a lot I love about the old school James Bond novels: the writing style, the locations, the 60’s references. When read these books years ago, they struck me as incredibly restrained and glamorous—which was in pretty stark contrast to the very cheesy James Bond movies premiering at the time. (I love Pierce Brosnan, but come on.)
Now, Ian Fleming Productions has handed the official reins to Jeffery Deaver. Tasked with bringing Fleming’s vintage character into the modern age in a believable way, Deaver’s job was made lighter (I’m assuming) by Daniel Craig’s portrayal of Bond in recent films.
Deaver chooses a plot for his first Bond novel that feels Bond-ish enough. Rumors of a massive bombing in England drive Bond all around the world in chase of a sick-in-the-head villain and his various strong-armed henchmen. As with any Bond novel, there are several women with ridiculous names, unrealistic technological gadgets, well-made cocktails and vintage cars. Deaver hasn’t missed any steps to the Bond recipe, I guess you could say…which makes it all the more disappointing that the book felt bland, boring and (I hate to say this) almost silly.
The elements of a James Bond novel were there throughout, but it’s like Deaver missed the “It Factor” that makes a great James Bond novel work. You could have put any character’s name in for Bond’s and it would have simply morphed into a standard spy novel instead.
If you’re a fan of James Bond, it’s worth delving into this book if only to see what you think of Deaver’s modern upgrades to such a classic character. If you’re a fan of adventure novels, you may enjoy this too. But, for anyone else, I’d recommend saving your time and re-reading Fleming’s original Bond books instead.
There’s a lot I love about the old school James Bond novels: the writing style, the locations, the 60’s references. When read these books years ago, they struck me as incredibly restrained and glamorous—which was in pretty stark contrast to the very cheesy James Bond movies premiering at the time. (I love Pierce Brosnan, but come on.)
Now, Ian Fleming Productions has handed the official reins to Jeffery Deaver. Tasked with bringing Fleming’s vintage character into the modern age in a believable way, Deaver’s job was made lighter (I’m assuming) by Daniel Craig’s portrayal of Bond in recent films.
Deaver chooses a plot for his first Bond novel that feels Bond-ish enough. Rumors of a massive bombing in England drive Bond all around the world in chase of a sick-in-the-head villain and his various strong-armed henchmen. As with any Bond novel, there are several women with ridiculous names, unrealistic technological gadgets, well-made cocktails and vintage cars. Deaver hasn’t missed any steps to the Bond recipe, I guess you could say…which makes it all the more disappointing that the book felt bland, boring and (I hate to say this) almost silly.
The elements of a James Bond novel were there throughout, but it’s like Deaver missed the “It Factor” that makes a great James Bond novel work. You could have put any character’s name in for Bond’s and it would have simply morphed into a standard spy novel instead.
If you’re a fan of James Bond, it’s worth delving into this book if only to see what you think of Deaver’s modern upgrades to such a classic character. If you’re a fan of adventure novels, you may enjoy this too. But, for anyone else, I’d recommend saving your time and re-reading Fleming’s original Bond books instead.