The Spy Who Loved Me, by Ian Fleming was a short but fun read. As I mentioned yesterday, it was written from “the Bond girl” perspective. Vivienne recalls her upbringing and failures with men for the first half of the book. Then, in the midst of her reverie while managing a closed motel, two gangsters barge in and her nightmare truly begins.
My favorite quote from the book is when Vivienne realizes, “Love of life is born of the awareness of death, of the dread of it.” This suspense is gripping, constantly fearing for Vivienne. Even when James Bond shows up at the door with a flat tire.
I now understand why the movie was nothing like the book, but in name only. The first half of the book was only the drama and heartbreak of Vivienne’s past, and the main story for the rest of the book would have made for a very short movie. It was wonderful as a book though.
