Page "Thunderball (novel)" Paragraph 25

Thunderball was generally well received by the critics ; Francis Iles, writing in The Guardian wrote that it " is a good, tough, straightforward thriller on perfectly conventional lines.

" Referring to the negative publicity that surrounded Dr. No — in particular the article by Paul Johnson in the New Statesman entitled, " Sex, Snobbery and Sadism "— Iles was left " wondering what all the fuss is about ", noting that " there is no more sadism nor sex than is expected of the author of this kind of thriller ".

Peter Duval Smith, writing in Financial Times, also took the opportunity to defend Fleming's work against negative criticism, also specifically naming Paul Johnson and his review: " one should not make a cult of Fleming's novels: a day-dream is a day-dream ; but nor should one make the mistake of supposing he does not know what he is doing.

" Duval Smith thought that Thunderball was " an exciting story is skilfully told ", with " a romantic sub-plot ... and the denouement involves great events " He also considered it " the best written since Diamonds Are Forever, four books back.

It has pace and humour and style.

The violence is not so unrelenting as usual: an improvement, I think.

" He also expressed concern for the central character, saying " I was glad to see him in such good form.

Earlier he seemed to be softening up.

He was having bad hangovers on half-a-bottle of whisky a day, which I don't call a lot, unless he wasn't eating properly.