Reviews

Brokenclaw by John Gardner

jmgustaf's review against another edition

4.0

The plot is pretty simple. Bond has to go after a villain who has the details to a submarine detecting device and its counterpoint, these are called LORDS and LORDS DAY. I am not sure what the point of getting is and the scheme doesn’t seem to line up well with the villain. It just seems mismatched to me. It begins with Bond on holiday, once again conveniently contrived by M to introduce him to his next adversary, which we’ve seen before, but we are spared the double crosses in this adventure!
The villain is interesting in character, but lacking in presence, we are told how charismatic and strong natured he is, but also how calmly and without emotion he talks, that was difficult for me to get my head around. His henchman, Bone Bending Ding, seemed more menacing to me than Brokenclaw was. The final challenge is too much for me. The excruciating and body damaging trial that Bond agrees to and goes through seems ridiculous. I consider him older in these books and having been through all his previous adventures, I don’t think this was the right time for such a punishing and damaging trial. It seems to be a bit much.
There are two ladies on Bond’s side and no femme fatale. Both of the ladies has a strong part and are great characters. One is a US Naval officer who offers herself to Brokenclaw in exchange for forgiving her father’s enormous debt to him. She is aware of what the ‘assignment’ means for her physically and sexually, but also knows how difficult it has been to peg anything on Brokenclaw. M’s reaction to the agreement is spot on his character and it is interesting to consider his thoughts on this now knowing that he has children and grandchildren from a previous book. The other leading lady is nicknamed Chi Chi and she is partnered with Bond on the adventure. She is what we have come to expect from a female partner to Bond.
The Americans that Bond works with and M collaborates with are fun.
I did enjoy the read, but not as much as many others in the series. I am sure I will read it again (this was my second time reading it), but I’m in no hurry to. I give it 6 out of 10.

jmoore65655's review against another edition

4.0

This was a fun read. Set out in San Francisco, Monterey, and Big Sur. Some of my favorite places!