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The Man with the Golden Gun (with Interview)

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The Man with the Golden Gun (with Interview)

By: Ian Fleming
Narrated by: Kenneth Branagh
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About this listen

If you try to assassinate your boss – even though brainwashed at the time – you must pay the price. To redeem himself James Bond is sent to kill one of the most lethal hitmen in the world… Paco ‘Pistols’ Scaramanga.

In the sultry heat of Jamaica, 007 infiltrates his target’s criminal cooperative – only to find that Scaramanga’s bullets are laced with snake venom. When the end comes, every shot will count.

Includes an exclusive bonus interview with Sir Kenneth Branagh.

Ian Fleming was born in London in 1908. He was educated at Eton and worked as a journalist in Moscow and a banker and stockbroker in London before becoming personal assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence during the Second World War. He wrote his first Bond novel, Casino Royale, in 1952 at Goldeneye, his home in Jamaica. Since then James Bond has gone on to become a global phenomenon.

Sir Kenneth Branagh is one of the UK’s most successful actors and directors in film, TV and theatre. In addition to his acclaimed cinema adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays, he has also directed and/or acted in films such as My Week with Marilyn, Thor and Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. He has had huge TV success with his BAFTA-winning portrayal of Wallander and has received five Academy Award nominations in five different categories.

©1965 Ian Fleming Publications Ltd (P)2013 Ian Fleming Publications Ltd. © AudioGO Ltd, 2012. James Bond and 007 are registered trademarks of Danjaq LLC, used under licence by Ian Fleming Publications Ltd.
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Critic reviews

"A gory, glittering saga…the James Bond spirit soars on." ( New York Times)
"Fleming keeps you riveted." ( Sunday Telegraph)
"For those who like to escape to Bondsville, the old boom-town hasn’t changed a scrap." ( Listener)
"Bond and Fleming were fun. They entertained, sometimes mildly, often grandly – but always consistently. Life will be less interesting without them." ( Associated Press)
"The most forceful and driving writer." (Raymond Chandler)

What listeners say about The Man with the Golden Gun (with Interview)

Average customer ratings
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Hey Ken it's Mr Gang-garella not Gangrala!

A great bond story and of course Ian Fleming wrote this in poor health and the theme of things coming to an end is in the book in places. The length alone indicates a running out of time. It's short compared to others. However this is Fleming at his best. It wasn't just Bond who was on his knees after the Spectre trilogy, Ian Fleming was also at the end. A great story though and nice come back and redemption for Bond.

Apart from what I say in the headline of this review Wallander Ken does a good job of narration.

Richard E Grant read an abridged version of this on tape about 20 years ago and he is excellent, but of course if you like Bond abridged just won't do. If you like Bond this is a must.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Gripping and thoroughly enjoyable

Kenneth Branagh delivers a wealth of characters in true Bond style. I loved the final scene with the villain Scaramanga and felt the heat of the Jamaican sun throughout. Brilliant.

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This is of course why I am here.

I never read the books when I was younger, I was too much into 2000AD, Marvel and SciFi generally. But I have seen ALL the movies they inspired, so now I am catching up on all I missed out on.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Well performed

This is the first bond story I’ve experienced. Kenneth Branagh did a marvellous job at performing this book.

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Scaramanga - what a character

Brannagh does Scaramanga perfectly - his Bond voice needs improving though - excellent drive time listening

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Perjorative colonial tropes

This ‘Bond’ is a concentrated combo of action packed villainy, violence,sex, suggestion and intrigue; Fleming fans won’t be disappointed! It unusually reveals a vulnerable Bond and unarguably deserves it’s place. However, having recently raced through a few, this novel tops the chart for British colonial bigotry. Time and historical context aside, I found myself wearying of these perjorative tropes.

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Moral views

A good story and performance by Kenneth. This story by Ian does go more in to how Bond feels about being a killer. Interesting listen and whilst shorter than others does manage to keep you listening.

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A dark exposition of life lived at the edge

The screenplay of the film is vastly different from Fleming’s novel and while the film is great fun, the book offers a much darker and deeper insight into the mind of Bond and his opponent. The characterisations are only somewhat overblown and we discover a thoughtful Bond, one who is capable of contemplating his own mortality. In this book he doesn’t just take risks, he manages them. The interplay between himself and Scaramanga is complex and for the reader, enjoyable. Branagh reads wonderfully and I really loved the laid-back menace he brings to Scaramanga’s character.

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It's Good - Brilliantly Read

Kenneth Branagh really makes this a joy to listen to what is really an average thriller of its day for a boring training journey or to read on the beach. It is nothing like the film so that won't spoil it for you.

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STILL GOLDEN

Now I am 64,....I can admit to reading this classic in the 1970s,watching the film,a thrilling ,tour de force in the same decade...and if you enjoy Bond,one of the best in the pantheon Fleming penned that dominated popular film.
Sir Ken bestrides a global jaunt with a confidence one would expect of him,accents and characters brought to life with consumate ease,although I did allow myself the amusing aside of dropping into Tennet as his Russian characters revealed a one size cliche fits all mode.
While thoroughly enjoying the story,and the commendable performance and presentation,the characters,and moral underpin, stand the test of time.
I started by stating my age,and I think my trip down memory lane remains much loved,younger readers might find this novel either retro or purely dated however,but I polished this off in one sitting,and felt the lingering status that Bond has and will always be the true man with the golden gun.

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