"Do you expect me to talk?" "No Mr. Bond! I expect you to file my 1095A tax form!"

I stand by the fact Sterling Archer is the most accurate representation of Book James Bond.

"Any last words Mr. Bond?" "Yes... Do you have any paperwork that needs filing?"

No mention of the most significant changes between the book and film? In the novel, Goldfinger actually planned to steal the gold for SMERSH. In the film, they changed it to irradiating it with a nuclear bomb. This change was made in response to critics who pointed out the implausibility of stealing all the gold in Fort Knox, they given gave this criticism to Bond as a line he says in the film!

It’s been too long since I last read ‘Goldfinger’ to accurately give my thoughts, so I’ll just give some trivia instead: Did you know? Goldfinger was named after Erno Goldfinger, an architect famous for high-rise tower blocks whose designs Fleming didn’t like very much. When Goldfinger threatened to sue, Fleming said he’d change the name of the character to Goldprick - ultimately Goldfinger did not sue, and got six free copies of the book from Fleming’s publishers. Still, when the film came out, Erno was on the receiving end of many prank calls.

Genuinely man, it’s so nice and refreshing to see someone speak about a problematic book like this with actual love and not get caught up in this overly offended mindset a lot of people are in at the minute. You make some great great points and without trying to come across as cheesy, make me proud to be a fan of this series cos every time I watch one of your videos, it makes me want to immediately revisit whatever Bond related thing you’re talking about! 😂

"Well, I just got home from work and have a lot of stuff to do so...Oh, look, a new Calvin Dyson video! That other stuff can wait!"

Couldn't agree more...Goldfinger is the example I always use when people say they always mess up movie adaptations of popular books.

To me the most hilarious part of Goldfinger is the chapter where Bond discovers that Jill Masterson has died, and all Bond/Fleming can do is wonder if Jill and Vesper are gossiping about Bond in the afterlife. I mean, I don't exactly expect Fleming to write a novel that passes the Bechdel test, but really? These two women who never met are going to track each other down in the afterlife just to compare notes about James? It's truly laughable.

Goldfinger doesn't even have a golden finger. 1/10

Lol in Bond's defense, we weren't exactly friends with Russia, Korea, China, and Germany then.

That first chapter should silence any detractors who state that Bond kills without remorse.

Goldfinger and Live and Let Die is proof that changing the source material isn’t always a bad thing. The books are amongst Flemings weakest but the film adaptions are among the strongest, and are vastly superior.

Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it’s enemy action.

I feel like Michael Caine could have played the Fleming Bond. He was attractive but not classically handsome. He also had a great dark sense of humor and excellent fashion sense. And young Caine can switch from charming to cold blooded in a half second. As it stands, I’m happy with the way the film verse turned out.

7:18 I love out of context lines. But I loved this review! Fantastic work, as always!

This is my favourite of the Bond novels that I've read. Not perfect, it starts to drag but it soon picked the pace up. I loved the Goldfinger character. He's so calm and collected and just shrugs off any threat or insult aimed at him. I also like the tension and paranoia in parts where Bond doesn't know if his plan will work or not. I haven't read it in about 10 years though and I know a lot of people don't rate it so another read is on the cards I reckon.

Excellent review as always, Calvin. Fear not! The trope of Bond working as a secretary or personal assistant to the main villain will return. Maybe the novel Goldfinger disappointed me because it's impossible not to compare it to the film, which had obviously been ingrained in my mind long before I read the novel. I found that at this point Fleming's work seemed a bit tired almost as if he'd begun to run out of ideas. The For Your Eyes Only short story compilation was really the result of adapting proposed television treatments that failed to take off. Then after that we had Thunderball and the now infamous background surrounding it. I happen to think Fleming's The Spy Who Loved Me was a marvelous experiment that was underrated and panned at the time but had its merits. When you get to it, I'll send along a link to my blog about it. Fleming doesn't truly find his footing again with Bond until the OHMSS novel, which he was quite proud of as it's the only Bond novel he allowed a 2nd hardcover signed edition published at the time of publication.

YES ! always love your videos ! can't wait for the blofeld trilogy !

Really appreciate another die hard bond-fan :)

You're one of my favourite tubers, great vid!

Good review man, just discovering you'r channel/content. I'm also a massive Bond fan, Goldfinger being one of my favourites but I've actually yet to read the novel, I plan on doing so soon.

Ian Fleming is one of the few authors who understood anything about women. Sometimes it reminds me of Casanova's memoirs from 1792. But he made a fun thriller. There really are abused women who become lesbians, someone had to talk about it, not even Freud was so explicit.

I have that exact poster of all the films behind you. Nice.

RIP Ginger Cat

Looking forward to your bond film ranking.

Love your little ditties. Ps: Goldfinger was the best Bond film ever

When do you think we'll get another livestream? Loving the book reviews btw.

I took a detour just now from the next Fleming novel to read “Trigger Mortis”. I’m only a few chapters in and I’m enjoying it so far. Part of the plot was adapted from a tv show Fleming was developing at the time around Bond and racing. Also, Pussy Galore is present again. She has shacked up with James in London following the events of Goldfinger. I’d love to see your review of this novel in the future.

"Posted 19 minutes ago" Sweet, one of the first to see it. :D

Great video. Goldfinger is my second Bond novel I ever read and I sometimes worry that people find the movie too old fashioned for modern sensibilities, but I love it. Is the reranked list up next?

It would be funny to switch the Tomorrow Never Dies poster with an Inspector Gadget poster and see how long it took Calvin to notice. (They have a somewhat similar color scheme).

Love your book reviews and just wonder whether you will continue with at least all the other 7 novels Fleming wrote - if not even the 9 short stories?

I’ll be interested to see a Colonel Sun review from you. I think you might really appreciate that one. It inspired TWINE and SPECTRE borrowed some of the dialogue.

I have not read any of Ian Fleming's Bond novels since the 1970's, but I have noticed that Flemings strength is the apparent effort he puts into the villains. How sadistic and perverted they are. I thoroughly enjoyed your book review, Calvin!

Quantum of Solace is actually a VERY good short story. In Whovian speak, it would be considered Bond-lite, but it's really some of Flemmings best writing within the series.

Write What You Know: Ian Fleming based Bond and Goldfinger's golf game on the June 1957 Bowmaker Pro-Am golf tournament at the Berkshire Golf Club he played in with Peter Thomson.

I'm surprised you didn't mention the part with the circular saw where Bond thinks he's going to die and mentions Vesper, or at the very end with Bond's fight against Goldfinger where Bond suffers a burn wound to the side of his face from the muzzle flash of Goldfinger firing his gun at him. Also Calvin, when you read the For Your Eyes Only book, make sure you read the short stories in this order, chronological order: - Risico - Quantum of Solace - The Hildebrand Rarity - From a View to a Kill - For Your Eyes Only

Great review as always! For me, I always found the movie to be a top 3, while the book is somewhat weak. Although much of the plot is similar, they really addressed some major flaws in the movie. That includes moments such as when Bond questions why Goldfinger would try to steal the gold, and why Goldfinger would let Bond live. As you put it, the film is just a better experience of the story, although it doesn't dive into the details as much, perhaps for the better. To the novel's credit, the film is missing some of the tension because Connery's Bond is trying to be somewhat cooler. In the book, Bond actually suffers from the kill he has the do in the beginning of the story, while in the film he doesn't really seem bothered at all. In the novel, the golf game seems to be put at higher stakes, resulting in Bond getting really nervous about the game, while in the film he's always in control so the golf game, although a terrific scene in the movie, ends up with a different tone. When reading the books, I always thought of Timothy Dalton as Fleming's Bond. Black hair, blue eyes and a small cruel mouth. Even counting the books that were fairly accurately re-created in the films with Connery, I couldn't help but imagine Dalton fitting better with the plot and character, or perhaps Craig. Some of this is because of Connery is portrayed, it feels out of character for him to be the paranoid and resentful person that he is in the books. Just imagine the torture scenes in Dr No with a different Bond other than Dalton or Craig.

Another Bond book review. Hurrah. Fantastic video can't wait for your next video. Edit: Will you review other Bond novels that weren't written by Ian Fleming?

I like the first two thirds of the book better than the movie, particularly with Bond tailing Goldfinger through Europe... kinda wish the book had kept going with that. It’s a great twist to take it to a Fort Knox heist of course, but there the movie is so vastly superior and makes better senses that it does outshine the book as you state. I just reread FYEO and forgot how much I liked that book in spite of it being short stories... look forward to your review!

I really love the movie, and although the book is significantly different from the film towards the second half, I really liked the book also. The chapters of Bond at Goldfinger’s mansion and also Operation Grand Slam have stayed with me since I read it several months ago.

hey, Calvin i was wondering if you can or want to make a top 10 james bond main songs covers list? it would be very fun to see how people have taken the songs and made them into something new.

In the book, it’s a bowler hat, but in the movie it’s a Sandringham hat

To be fair, really good secretaries are hard to find. And Bond seems to be good at everything, so can probably type at 100 wpm and do shorthand.

I finished reading TMWTGG yesterday and I'll begin with octopussy soon. I thought about going on with Colonel Sun and the John Gardner series afterwards. Does anyone here know if these books are worth being read?

Love your reviews, do you plan on reading/reviewing the non Fleming Bond books too?

I first read Goldfinger when I was about 12 and even then I thought the idea of stealing all the gold from Fort Knox was ridiculous. I mean, how would you get it away? How could you hide it from the authorities, let alone get it abroad? Fleming didn't really look too deeply into these things. The later books aren't that good, however, OHMSS is a cracking read and one of the best.

YOU MUST READ 'TRIGGER MORTIS' BEFORE FYEO!!!!! It resolves the whole sexuality issues with Pussy Galore and even throws in a Goldfinger crime during the novel. Horowitz really plays homage to Fleming, and writes a great sequel for Goldfinger!

Even tho it's one of my least favorite bond novels, it did turn into my 2nd all time favorite bond movie (Behind Goldeneye). So, it's at least interesting to see what they changed in the film and what's different in the novel. I think the film is much better and has less flaws. But as mentioned in this video, it won't hurt to give it at least one full read as it's decent.

When’s the for your eyes only review coming ??

Just finished reading this one, I greatly prefer the book over the movie. The book was excellent with tension and dark overtones. Def one of the best ones in the series

Calvin! What about a Top 10 James Bond Books?

Am I the only one who thinks “The man with the Golden Gun” is underrated?

Can you please review Agent Cody Banks 1 and 2 and Alex Rider:Stormbreaker

I read this book when I was in middle or elementary school and I didn't understand the last part very well. I always thoght Pussy's sexual orientation was just an assumption made by her fellow countrymen, because she was able to run faster than her male peers. So she settled with the liking girls idea, until she had the chance to meet a real man: James Bond! This is the first time I realise I might've got it wrong.

Is it "Masterton" in the book? It's been a few years since I've read it.

I loved the part were Bond tells Goldfinger to “Go fuck himself “ and Goldfinger reply’s “Even I’m not capable of that Mr Bond”.Great book ..preferred it to the movie actually .

Do you know which gadgets/technology were used in this novel ?

When we interview people where I work, we leave them alone in the office and if they snoop through the filing cabinets or try to kill the boss then we hire them. People with initiative are so hard to find.

fellow Bondians, do yourselves a favour and check out the BBC4 Radio Plays based on Fleming's James Bond books.

Hey Calvin, after you read the Fleming's will you be carrying on and read the other Bond stories that came after, like the John Gardner era?

I was surprised to not get a notification when I saw this on my feed, I was looking forward to this video. Come to find out that I'm unsubscribed, even though I've been subscribed to you since your Skyfall review in 2012. Just a heads up, KZfaq is weird. Obviously, I resubscribed.

The book was fine but it had a very similar set up to the Moonraker book

You forgot to mention that the book was easy on the ears.

They're rebooting Pussy Galore in Bond 25 and calling her Minge Mania

Yeah the ending really dropped the ball imo, the book gives good context to the characters and Bond, but honestly if the movie follows the book close enough, or even improves on it I'd rather just watch the movie.

Who else saw the Lost in Adaptation (Dominic Noble) episode on Goldfinger

I found this book read like a school assignment that was started with good intentions well in advance, forgotten about, and then finished in a caffeine fuelled all nighter the morning it was due. I enjoyed the golf game and the slow pursuit that followed. Where it fell off the proverbial cliff was the whole “I’ll come work for you” and near death experience . The whole keep your friends close but your enemies closer didn't seem to work for me and reeked of lazy writing. Lastly I was worried if Pussy’s character was more one dimensional Bond would lose sight of her if she turned sideways. For a Movie that is still one of my all time Favourites this novel was an over all disappointment sad to say.

Calvin have you ever heard of tomasz kot ?

why the automatic captions of youtube aren skipping the word Pussy when calvin pronounces it. It's just a female name, come on youtube :P

The movie removed all the silly stuff. Also I loved that in the film its Bond who finds Jill covered in goldpaint rather than being told about it like in the book.

Seems like the cure for lesbianism is Bond’s thunderballs

For our ears only

The last third was ridiculous, and mostly spoiled the book for me. Up till then it was a very fun experience. Richly atmospheric. Before he went so obviously bonkers, Goldfinger seemed such an even match for Bond. I wish he'd been set up as the recurring villain instead of Blofeld. Didn't like any of the other characters, though I thought Jill had potential somehow, and would have liked to have seen more of her. This is also the very last time we'll have any dealings with SMERSH. Generic Chekists pop up in some of the short stories, and offstage before the start of _Golden Gun,_ but neither they nor the freelancers nor bloody SPECTRE ever match SMERSH for its cold malice and cool factor. I was similarly saddened to reach the same point in the series. I didn't know that _For Your Eyes Only_ was an anthology, I'd have been even more melancholy if I had.

I think because Bond was going to die without breaking, Goldfinger buys his story and wants to make use of a capable pair.

To be fair, Goldfinger initially turns down Bond's offer to work for him and Bond passes out before the buzz saw cuts him.

I think this was the first Bond book I ever read. Speaking of Bond literature, check out episode 1 of Eidolon (dubbed) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fJ1nhdGV3bPcfI0.html

Wait till you get to Thunderball...way better than the movie!!!

Im surpriesed bond didn't respond to goldfinger saying yeah you can be my secritary, with "what do you think i am?, a woman" bond chuckles to him self, but seriously tho

You would call what you did a synopsis, don't y' know...

Which Bond do you imagine when reading the books? For me it's always been a man with Pierce Brosnan's look with the character of Daniel Craig's 007.

What's your opinion of the bond graphic novels?

Write Who You Know: Fleming based Pussy Galore on Blance Blackwell, his neighbour and lover in Jamaica.

The Spy Who Loved Me is actually my favorite Bond book.

I just thought of a great idea for the next round of Bond flicks. Though granted it has nothing to do with this video. All other Bond films were set in the present, from the 60's to the 2010's. Have the next ones be period pieces. Show Bond in the 40's getting involved in WWII. The books always hinted at Bond being in the War. Working with the intelligence agency or whatever it was called. Show him playing cards with Nazi's in Spain. That thing Ian Flemming always claimed he did. You can still have over the top action scenes and an insane villain but just have it set back then. Maybe have him run into Montgomery or Wild Bill Donovan, Forrest Gump Style. Do that for 2 films and then have films 3, 4 and 5 set in the 50's during the Cold War. Actually show Bond in the Era that created him. You can also have him smoking and slapping girls asses. People can't complain like they would if Craig did that. That's the way guys were back then

Your teeth are looking great mate! Lol

Actually, for me, the Goldfinger book was pretty much a let down! Much prefer the film! The only thing I like the book is Pussy Galore’s purple eyes! And I quite liked Tania Mallet as Tilly in the movie and I was hoping she’d last longer but in the novel, as you say she and Bond as Goldfinger’s secretaries, yuk, not good! That’s about all I’ve got to say about the book except that of course the biggest let down is that Goldfinger just wants to steel the gold in Fort Knox! But in the movie it’s a much much better and outrageous plot which makes it all the more exciting! No, for me, the book just didn’t do it!

Take this with a pinch of salt as it's been awhile since I read Goldfinger but the way I remember the chapter when Bond "seduce" Pussy, she is under arrest and knows in the morning she is off to stand trial for her participation in Operation Grand-slam which will probably be a lengthy court case that ends with her getting a life sentence. So its the last night of intimacy and compassion shes going to get. She would have preferred her guard to be a woman sure, but she has to make do with the man who saved her life. It doesn't come across as Bond charms the gay out of her, Pussy is in control of the situation obviously flirting with "the only real man shes met" and trying to get pity from Bond by sharing her backstory in order to have one final tender moment on her last night of freedom. least that's how I remember it.

Yes, we completely agree in this one: like Dr. No, it's funny, has a formidable villain and it's outlandish as heck. And that's its weakness: it's way too outlandish and Fleming makes bad decisions throughout all the book, especially the blatantly racist depiction of Koreans and the homophobic remarks regarding Tilly and Pussy. Anthony Horowitz fixed some of these mistakes in the direct - and equally outlandish - semi-canonical sequel Trigger Mortis, based on original material by Fleming (one or two episodes are directly by Fleming). They form an excellent, cohesive story.

You know they still made Bond books after Fleming right? You could just review them.

The film is better than the book and this is the only title you can say that about.

It was mostly a good book, but the stuff about Pussy was just terrible -- even worse than the parts about African Americans in Live and Let Die. There may not be much left, but a lot of it is really good. The Arc from On Her Majesty's Secret Service through You Only Live Twice and into the first part of The Man With the Golden Gun is a very good read. Most of the short stories are good too, and inspire much of the later Moore movies. I'll be interested to hear your take on Quantum of Solace. It is not a traditional Bond story, but an interesting one nonetheless.

13:52 Your discomfort with the stereotyping of races is curious. The English in the 1950s did not see terrorist attacks, only the remnants of German attacks. But there have been several Islamic attacks or attempted attacks in England in the last 20 years.

10:03 Well not surprise there as Fleming wasn't really a romantic himself. No wonder why he could write a romance. I saw a movie. I didn't read this book yet. Yes I agree Fleming is not going to write a socially progressive story. I think that it some way Bond is based on him and of course few people that he met in his life. 12:17 yeah I agree with that. These views presented in Fleming's books are bigoted.

?

Message on the bottom of the toilet seat in the plane lavatory.

Wow i didn't know there was a lesbian angle in the book and hearing him try to turn them is pretty cringey.

Goldfinger : the Donald Trump of Bond villains .

I cringe when people ask if your gay It should be normal