Fred’s Reviews > You Only Live Twice > Status Update

“She had brought a sweetness back into his life that he thought had gone for ever.” (234)

Fleming’s emotional undertones are very subtle and understated - but they are there. There are signs of Bond’s overwhelming grief for Tracy; you just have to look hard for them.

“He was also sorry for the student who had died showing off for his and Tiger’s delectation.” (142)

I stand by the view that No Time To Die is this novel’s spiritual adaptation, though obviously not a literal one. Both start with Bond reeling from a personal trauma. Then, after a surprisingly jovial opening with lots of male banter and camp (NTTD in Cuba, YOLT in Japan), Bond is drawn back into fighting SPECTRE. Both also concern gardens of death, and both are clear finales for James himself after his trauma.

This is the best Ian Fleming novel I’ve read so far - and every single one has still received 5 stars. Becoming a bit of a hardcore Fleming fan!