An almost perfect introduction to a true female action hero. Modesty Blaise is a former criminal mastermind who is recruited by the Brits to protect a diamond shipment. Along on the ride is her ever-present right-hand man, Willie Garvin. This book sets up the rest of this brilliant series by introducing the main characters and their backgrounds. It also sets the template for the cast of villains-a boss, a main henchman, and a grotesque killer who usually ends up in a life-or-death showdown with Modesty or Willie. This one is an action classic. ( )

1457 ( )

This was a fun book. It's filled with action and incredible detail about everything that's going on. The presented problems and Modesty Blaise's solutions are thoroughly creative and well-thought. Peter O'Donnell does an excellent job of including just enough information without it slowing the story, but he uses everything he includes. I didn't find much information presented to be extraneous.

Modesty Blaise is a badass. She's classy and understands the fine points of art, music, and culture, and yet maintains a ruthless (though not merciless) approach to life. There's almost nothing bad to say about her. She sets an example of discipline and preparedness, of creativity and intelligence, and of a stoic lightheartedness when it comes to life. It's unlikely that anyone (male or female) can be as skilled as she is. The obvious comparison is James Bond (whom Peter O'Donnell likely knew of as this was published in 1965—twelve years after the first Bond novel was written). It's possible, though it's nothing more than speculation, that O'Donnell wrote Modesty Blaise to challenge James Bond's notion that "Women were for recreation. On a job, they got in the way and fogged things up with sex and hurt feelings and all the emotional baggage they carried around. One had to look out for them and take care of them." (Fleming, Casino Royale, p.34). Modesty masterminds everything and certainly holds her own in the field. She relies on Willie Garvin, but less so than he relies on her. No one else in the novel is on their level except perhaps Gabriel. Gabriel's abilities, however, are less defined.

O'Donnell describes the setting vividly. The story takes place briefly in London, but mostly in the Mediterranean. He includes lots of detail in what the characters wear and the environments in which they find themselves.

Though mostly an action book for entertainment, the story includes numerous insights into life and how people live. It hints at ideas regarding how we put meaning into our lives among other reflections.

I recommend this book. ( )

Dopo due numeri che mi hanno un po' disorientato torno finalmente ad un racconto come piace a me, una protagonista, e che protagonista, la bellissima Modesty Blaise, e storie che filano via che è una bellezza. Per l’esattezza quattro racconti, abbastanza lunghi da diventare storie, “Durango”, “Ripper Jax”, “Honeigun” e “Il vampiro di Malescu” di circa 60 pagine. Quanto basta per essere sufficienti per appassionare e non troppo al punto da divenire noiose. Lo stampo è quello del fumetto degli anni ’70, un po' alla James Bond, anche se in questo caso la protagonista è una bellissima donna che gestisce una società di servizi. Una breve pausa dagli artisti argentini, O’Donnel è inglese e Romero è spagnolo. Ma siamo chiaramente nell’ambito del grande fumetto internazionale che la casa editrice Eura ci ha insegnato ad amare in quegli anni. ( )

Modesty Blaise is a quick, enjoyable thriller that is basically pure escapist hokum. Full of impossible escapes and 60's chic, this is the female equivalent of James Bond, only much better written and with a criminal past. Modesty and her trusty sidekick, Willie Garvin, must track down the mysterious master criminal Gabriel, who plans to steal a huge shipment of diamonds. The action moves along quite nicely and the relationship between Modesty and Garvin is nicely done. An easy, fun read. ( )