Role of Honour - Reviews

Reviews

Kirkus Reviews dismissed the book as "a ragged quickie that's cartoon caper/sleuth action most of the way through (like an old episode of TV's The Avengers). Virtually no humor, virtually no suspense, and virtually no charm or sexiness in old 007 - making this by far the weakest of Gardner's somewhat pre-sold fabrications, with some extra appeal only for computer fans."

The West Coast Review of Books said that "John Gardner does a good job of work in picking up the torch from the late Ian Fleming, but the freshness of the early Bond books is missing; also, 007's predictable heroics have begun to bore. One can accept a charmed - and charming - character just so long."

The Globe and Mail crime critic Derrick Murdoch wrote that although Gardner "could outperform Fleming easily in most technical respects he lacked Fleming's gift for simple-minded razzle-dazzle extravaganzas and Penthouse-style dream girls." He called Role of Honour "something of a disappointment, although some of Bond's old admirers may welcome it." He complained that the novel was both familiar and confusing.

Long-time Gardner admirer and Listener crime critic Marghanita Laski said "John Gardner has gradually worked himself into his own role as owner-creator of James Bond, but his Bond is more intelligent, more sensitive than the original."

Novelist Jessica Mann, writing for British Book News, said Role of Honour "hits the spot and will give great pleasure to fans both on the page, and, presumably, on the screen."