The 'Jason Bourne' series by John Gardner is well - known. These novels are full of action and intrigue. They follow the adventures of Jason Bourne, a man with a mysterious past and a lot of skills in combat and espionage.
One of his popular novels is 'Grendel'. It tells the story from the perspective of the monster in the Beowulf legend, which is a really interesting take. It gives a new depth to the character that we usually just see as a villain.
The novel 'Icebreaker' is quite popular. It has all the elements that make a Bond story exciting - a dangerous mission, a beautiful but mysterious woman, and a devious villain. Gardner's writing style in this one really brings the story to life.
Gardner defines moral fiction as that which is concerned with values. It is fiction that makes the reader think about what is right and wrong, good and bad.
Lisa Gardner is more known for her thriller and mystery novels, but some of her works do incorporate elements of romance. 'The Neighbor' has a relationship between the characters that has a romantic aspect to it. The way she weaves the romantic elements into the plot makes it interesting. The characters' interactions are filled with tension, both in the mystery - solving part and in their personal relationships.
Another notable work could be 'The Sunlight Dialogues'. It contains complex characters and thought - provoking themes that Gardner is good at exploring in his fiction.
Using characters as clues. In 'Grendel', Grendel himself or Beowulf (who also appears in Gardner's retelling) could be the answer to a clue like 'Main character in Gardner's take on an old tale'.
In my view, what makes a John Gardner Bond novel the best is how well it stays true to the Bond legacy while also adding something new. The Bond series has certain expectations - a charming hero, beautiful women, and a world - saving mission. In 'Icebreaker', Gardner meets these expectations but also delves deeper into Bond's character, showing his vulnerabilities and how he overcomes them. He also introduces new political and environmental themes that are relevant to the time, which gives the story more depth and makes it stand out among other Bond novels.
One of the main themes is often the human condition. His stories explore how people deal with various challenges in life. For example, in some of his works, characters struggle with self - identity. Another common theme is the complexity of relationships. He shows how relationships can be both a source of comfort and conflict. Also, the concept of morality is frequently explored, with characters making choices that test their moral boundaries.
As I haven't read the story, I can't say for sure. But likely, there is the dragon itself. And there may be a human character, perhaps a knight or a young adventurer who has some sort of encounter with the dragon.
In 'John Gardner on Moral Fiction', an important aspect is that moral fiction should be honest. It doesn't shy away from the complexity of moral issues. It presents the full spectrum of human nature, both good and bad, and through this, it encourages readers to think about their own moral compasses. For example, it might show a character facing a difficult moral dilemma, like choosing between loyalty to a friend and doing what is legally right. This kind of portrayal makes the reader question how they would act in a similar situation.
John Gardner believes that moral fiction has the power to engage readers on a deeper level. It can make them reflect on ethical and moral values. Through well - crafted characters and plots in moral fiction, readers are able to see the consequences of different actions and moral choices, which in turn can influence their own real - life perspectives on morality.