Win, Lose or Die (1989)

For readers who aren't hardcore James Bond geeks like me, let me preface this post with a brief explanation of the literary 007 canon.

After James Bond creator Ian Fleming died, his estate commissioned Kingsley Amis to write a new 007 novel under the pseudonym of Robert Markham; the book was to be the first of a series of continuation novels written by different authors but published under the same alias.

Ultimately, the idea stalled after the release of Amis' Colonel Sun in 1968, and aside from a fictional biography exploring Bond's life and a couple of Roger Moore film novelisations, the literary 007 lay dormant until the 1980s when British novelist John Gardner was brought on board.

By far the most prolific continuation novelist, Gardner authored 14 original books, plus two film novelisations. Over the past year or so, I've been slowly making my way through these titles and have just finished his eighth original story: 1989's Win, Lose or Die.

In Bond fandom, Gardner is looked upon as the Roger Moore of the literary Bond: both are seen to have dragged 007 away from his roots, and both are considered to have clung to the character for longer than they should have. But while Moore – who remains a legend among 007 fans – still considers himself an ambassador for the character, the late Gardner expressed a dislike for Bond, even during his tenure.

Gardner did deliver a few excellent Bond novels early in his run, including Icebreaker, Nobody Lives For Ever and Scorpius. By contrast, Win, Lose or Die is Gardner at his most pedestrian. The book sees 007 returned to active duty in the Royal Navy after MI6 gets word that a terrorist organisation has planted moles aboard the HMS Invincible in the lead-up to a top-secret onboard summit between the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, US President George Bush and Russian Premier Mikhail Gorbachev.

Win, Lose or Die's conceit, which sees the bulk of the story take place onboard the vessel, is both its attraction and its weakness. It's great to see Bond in the navy, a throwback to a section of his life that's largely unexplored, but stuck with the limited canvas of a naval ship, Gardner reduces 007 to the role of detective for far too much of the book.

The absence of some of the Bond staples aren't missed, but Fleming's colourful touch is. Gone are the sweeping descriptions of exotic locations, while Win, Lose or Die's villain – and his organisation – are utterly forgettable; where some of Fleming's best work came from the verbal sparring between Bond and his enemies, here Gardner has the villain exchange a mere two sentences with 007 before he's killed in the book's penultimate chapter.

Win, Lose or Die is also bogged down by some of Gardner's trademark narrative devices; most damagingly, an over-reliance on crosses, double-crosses and triple-crosses. And while Gardner clearly relishes the technical facts in his story, which are fleshed out in complex detail, it's all fairly soulless and mechanical. At times, Win, Lose or Die reads a bit like an instruction manual for a product you never bought.

There's also Gardner's decision to make the three world leaders minor characters in the story, something which doesn't sit right with me. It's a bit too cute. (Nevermind that the last time Margaret Thatcher crossed paths with Bond was during the cringe-worthy final moments of the film For Your Eyes Only.)

It's not a total write-off. Bond's intense relationship with Beatrice Maria da Ricci, the book's heroine, is surprisingly well-handled. There's also some interesting tension between the UK and US and the Russians, as a result of Gorbachev's policy of glasnost; it's an aspect of the story that warranted further exploration. Gardner's choice of location for the book's climactic battle, the tunnels beneath Gibraltar, is a terrific one, but the confrontation itself is perfunctory.

If you're not familiar with the original Bond novels, read Fleming. And if you are familiar with them, re-read Fleming. Gardner's probably only worth a look if you're a die-hard fan like me. Which is why I'll keep reading them until I'm done. As a fan, it's my obligation; win, lose or die.