His chrysophily extends to making love to gold-painted women and culminates in Operation Grand Slam, a fantastical attempt to rob the U.S. He meets Oddjob, a henchman for Goldfinger, and manages to entrench himself in Goldfinger’s get rich quick scheme.Published on 23 March 1959, Ian Fleming’s novel features his most colourful villain – Auric Goldfinger, tycoon, smuggler, and treasurer for Soviet counter-intelligence. Coincidentally, Bond’s boss asks him to discover how Goldfinger manages to smuggle gold out of the country and also if he has any connection to SMERSH, the Russian anti-spy agency.īond discovers Goldfinger’s dealings with smuggled gold and, of course, other misdeeds.

A page turner which, to today’s audience, might seem funny at all the wrong places.īond first meets Auric Goldfinger, a millionaire, after being asked by a rich friend to find out if Mr. Bond is more human and develops some form of a sense of humor, verbally jabbing at Oddjob simply for his own amusement.įrankly, another fun and silly adventure which has to be read with a wink and a nod to another time. With the exception of From Russia with Love, I thought that the character of Bond grew in this book more than the previous ones. Quite laughable these days, but a bit disturbing to think that those views actually existed and maybe even still exist. For example, Fleming “blames” the suffragette movement and women voting on… lesbians. I just took his old time views with a chuckle, but it’s amusing to read about those and I don’t know if his views are representatives of the times or even of the majority of men in the era.

The character of Pussy Galore, is a strong, smart, independent woman but Fleming still manages a few sexist remarks regardless and Fleming’s antiquated views on the subject of feminism. The book features two very memorable villains, Goldfinger and Oddjob, which have become the classic stereotype of Cold War rogues like many of Fleming’s inventions. The story is, of course, dated and some of it seem downright laughable or cringe worthy if not keeping in mind the attitudes at the times towards women and minorities. Goldfinger by Ian Fleming is another fun book in the series.

Publisher: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.The book’s original title was The Richest Man in the World, it was written in 1958 and published in 1959. Goldfinger by Ian Fleming is the seventh novel featuring James Bond, 007, agent of MI6, the British Secret Service.

Ian fleming goldfinger book