Review: An Instant Classic, This would make a Great Movie!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 16, 2013
What I love about this book is the style. Everything about it is spot on. Damian Stevenson has an uncanny ability of creating such incredible mental imagery with his writing. Here is just a brief example of the superb illustration I am taking about, "Emerging from a small curling staircase, he entered a vast sunlit avant garde workshop in the spacious octagonal loft which stood in stark contrast to the musty old-world décor of downstairs." Another example that creates the feeling of the period, "THE INSISTENT tones of Beethoven's Piano Sonata Number 32 greeted Fleming as he came to in a deep leather armchair beside a roaring fire, a red welt from the dart visible on his throat, his cobalt eyes rolling groggily, eventually settling on Wolfgang Krupp who was playing a Steinway grand." (this is great stuff)So richly woven with layers upon layers, you can almost feel the fabric of the unbleached linens or the worsted wool, and the smell of the blended tobacco seems to permeate the air. Yes sir, if this was made into a film, it would be the re-birth of Film Noir.Not only is this a "Historical Fiction Novel" set during World War Two, it is written in the style of the period. The attention to the smallest details didn't escape me, history buffs are going to have fun with this one. For me, I like to think of it more of an "Alternate History" with the possibilities of what could have been. Either way, this is one great thriller of a mystery that is better than any James Bond book.From the very beginning with the car chase scene where Ian jumps the bridge to lose the Nazi's on his tail, this story grabs you and doesn't let go. Yes, the premise of the tale is extraordinary with the Brits out to save Hitler's life. I know, it sounds like a contradiction, but it is done so masterfully that it works. Along with the fast pace action that gets intense at times, you can't help but keep reading well into the night to discover how Ian is going to deal with the obstacles he must overcome. No matter what may come, Ian keeps that cool swagger about him, and yes, it wouldn't be an Ian Fleming story without a dame hanging off him. The action on the train is classic, all the elements are there to give the reader an experience of suspense and relief when our guy comes through again using nothing at times but his cleverness and astute observation of the situation.Reading the "William Tell" scene where Ian is forced to take a shot at Maria, is " nail-biting sitting on the edge of seat" writing. And there are so many more scenes like this throughout the story. This is a great book for a book club, you could spend countless hours pouring over this book with all the complexities and characters. Simply great writing.Not to give anything away, but the further you get into the book, the better it gets, one of my favorites is the chapter, "Mano A Mano" It opens with these lines, "Fleming's eyes opened to behold a nightmarish scene. He was in the middle of a vast red soiled field of devastation with smashed and smoking palm trees, deep ragged craters, gutted and burning huts, shattered sampans and the bodies of his comrades slumped around like macabre decorations."This story ends in classic fashion, the last line will leave you with a smile, Ian Fleming is the only one who could say that and pulled it off. I loved it.If you read only one novel this year, I would suggest that it be this one. How good is it? Lets say my list of the top 5 books just got rearranged, this is one that I highly recommend.