Despite having seen many of the films, this was my first exposure to one of Ian Fleming's Bond novels. I probably never would've thought that James Bond could feel guilty about killing someone just by seeing the movies. That's how it begins, with Bond in the Miami Airport wondering if murder is right even when the victim is an evil person. This nice touch allows the reader gets closer to this character who is known to be a cold and untouchable person. However, even in the book, Bond drives luxury car, stays in luxury resorts and drinks pink champagne and martinis with the company of beautiful women. In other words, every man's dream! By the way, I tried to forgive Bond's sexist and racist speeches which make part of his charm and I understand that the book is an amazing document of its time.
Although the first two-thirds of the book doesn't have any threat to 007, unless you take in consideration the excruciatingly detailed golf match between Bond and Goldfinger, Auric Goldfinger made a very convincing and impressive villain. His daring plan never sounds dull and his obsession with gold and unique appearance make him fascinating to the reader. His quotes are the best too.
Nevertheless I would understand if you didn't like a book whose characters have stupid names, such as, Auric Goldfinger, Pussy Galore (!) or Oddjob. Moreover, with an unlikely plot which involves some embarrassing solutions. I would conclude that you are just not a Bond fan and you would have missed not a great novel, but an amusing and entertaining read.
