Editing Moonraker (novel) (section)

==Publication and reception==

===Publication history===
''Moonraker'' was published in the UK by Jonathan Cape in hardback format on 5 April 1955 with a cover designed by Kenneth Lewis, following Fleming's suggestions of using a stylised flame motif;{{sfn|Benson|1988|p=11}} the first impression was of 9,900 copies.<ref name="ABM - Moonraker" /> The US publication was by [[Macmillan Publishers|Macmillan]] on 20 September that year. In October 1956 [[Pan Books]] published a paperback version of the novel in the UK, which sold 43,000 copies before the end of the year.{{sfn|Bennett|Woollacott|2003|pp=16–17}} In December that year the US paperback was published under the title ''Too Hot to Handle'' by [[Permabooks]]. This edition was rewritten to Americanise the British idioms used, and Fleming provided explanatory footnotes such as the value of English currency against the dollar.{{sfn|Benson|1988|pp=11–12}} Since its initial publication the book has been issued in numerous hardback and paperback editions, translated into several languages and has never been out of print.<ref name="Good reads" /><ref name="OCLC Worldcat" />

===Reception===
[[File:Noel Coward 6 Allan Warren.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Noël Coward sitting part side on, but facing the camera; his hands are part-raised in gesticulation, and he smokes a cigarette.|[[Noël Coward]] considered ''Moonraker'' the best of the first three Bond novels.]]
Fleming's friend—and neighbour in Jamaica—Noël Coward considered ''Moonraker'' to be the best thing Fleming had written to that point: "although as usual too far-fetched, not quite so much so as the last two&nbsp;... His observation is extraordinary and his talent for description vivid."{{sfn|Parker|2014|pp=186–87}} Fleming received numerous letters from readers complaining about the lack of exotic locations;{{sfn|Chancellor|2005|p=159}} one of which protested "We want taking out of ourselves, not sitting on the beach in Dover."{{sfn|Parker|2014|p=45}}

[[Julian Symons]], writing in ''[[The Times Literary Supplement]]'', found ''Moonraker'' "a disappointment",<ref name="Symons (1955)" /> and considered that "Fleming's tendency&nbsp;... to parody the form of the thriller, has taken charge in the second half of this story."<ref name="Symons (1955)"/> [[Maurice Richardson]], in his review for ''[[The Observer]]'', was more welcoming: "Do not miss this",<ref name="Richardson (1955)" /> he urged, saying that "Mr. Fleming continues to be irresistibly readable, however incredible".<ref name="Richardson (1955)"/> [[Hilary Corke]], writing in ''[[The Listener (magazine)|The Listener]]'', thought that "Fleming is one of the most accomplished of thriller-writers",<ref name="Corke (1955)" /> and considered that ''Moonraker'' "is as mercilessly readable as all the rest".<ref name="Corke (1955)"/> Corke warned Fleming away from being over-dramatic, declaring that "Mr Fleming is evidently far too accomplished to need to lean upon these blood-and-thunder devices: he could keep our hair on end for three hundred pages without spilling more blood than was allowed to [[Shylock]]."<ref name="Corke (1955)"/> The reviewer in ''[[The Scotsman]]'' considered that Fleming "administers stimuli with no mean hand&nbsp;... 'Astonish me!' the addict may challenge: Mr Fleming can knock him sideways."<ref name="Econ ad" />

[[John Metcalf (writer)|John Metcalf]] for ''[[The Spectator]]'' thought the book "utterly disgraceful—and highly enjoyable&nbsp;... without [''Moonraker''] no forthcoming railway journey should be undertaken",<ref name="Listener advert (1955)" /> although he also considered that it was "not one of Mr. Fleming's best".{{sfn|Benson|1988|p=11}} [[Anthony Boucher]], writing in ''[[The New York Times]]'', was equivocal, saying "I don't know anyone who writes about gambling more vividly than Fleming and I only wish the other parts of his books lived up to their gambling sequences".{{sfn|Benson|1988|p=11}} Richard Lister in the ''[[New Statesman]]'' thought that "Mr. Fleming is splendid; he stops at nothing."<ref name="Times ad" /> Writing for ''[[The Washington Post]]'', Al Manola believed that the "British tradition of rich mystery writing, copious description and sturdy heroism all blend nicely"<ref name="Manola (1955)" /> in ''Moonraker'', providing what he considered was "probably the best action novel of the month".<ref name="Manola (1955)"/>