Without hesitation It is a masterwork. It does not remain us any more that to try to determine why “Good kisses of Russia”
is a masterpiece.
I read it in my youth. I liked, of course. But it is much later that I became aware of the impact which it had left in my spirit. In all the books which I read since, I unconsciously sought “Good kisses of Russia”. Which is the force of this book? Initially, its construction, diverting with the first access. It is about an adventure of James Bond. Only, during all the first part, one speaks without stop about James Bond, but it is not sawn. It appears only in the second part. This unusual construction disconcerts the reader, before this one does not realize that it is in fact brilliant. James Bond walks, travels, moves and
suspense goes up. Because it is unaware of that a plot is prepared against him, whereas the reader knows it. The first part, which seemed superfluous, takes all its direction then. That’s which built the suspense which will reach its peak towards the end. From this point of view, “Good kisses of Russia” can be described as revolutionist, not only for 1954, but for eternity. It is not sure that a comparable book was published since.
Masterwork also by its side
iconoclast and sometimes agitator. For the policy: the book is a paving stone of propaganda anticommunist, with remarks curling racism anti-Russian. Perhaps disturbing, but it was necessary to dare in 1954! Ian Fleming was with counter-current of his time and time largely gave him reason. Iconoclast also by the hero: in this history, James Jump prostituted straightforwardly to make a success of his mission. Later, John the Square will describe it as “whore”. What is true, but that takes part of the sometimes ambiguous suspense of “Good kisses of Russia”. The scenes between the spy and beautiful Tatiana Romanova are among rawest and strong of the literature of action.
And so “Good kisses of Russia” was the largest spy novel of all times. One half-century later, while seeing events were followed, it is not necessary to put the question.