Will you prepare for "SPECTRE" by (re-)reading Ian Fleming's Blofeld trilogy?

edited May 2015 in SPECTRE Posts: 11,119
Will you prepare for "SPECTRE" by (re-)reading Ian Fleming's Blofeld trilogy......just like most of us did by preparing in 2006 for "Casino Royale" by (re-)reading Ian Fleming's novel of the same name ;-)?
BlofeldTrilogy.jpg

I personally will do it, and off course will read the novels together with "The Spy Who Loved Me", to stay in a "chronological mood" ;-). So the order is:
Novel #08: "Thunderball"
Novel #09: "The Spy Who Loved Me"
Novel #10: "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"
Novel #11: "You Only Live Twice"

I'm quite intrigued by the character of Mr Hinx now. Will he be (loosely) based on the character, henchman Sol "Horror" Horowitz, from the novel "The Spy Who Loved Me"?
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Comments

  • Posts: 11,119
    Continue in here please
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    edited January 2015 Posts: 24,266
    I'm sure I'll have re-read those novels by then since it's about time I got to my usual Fleming marathon again. That is something I commit myself to every two or three years. :-) So it won't happen with the specific intention of getting prepared for SP but it may coincide with its arrival.
  • Posts: 9,860
    Tempted to reread octopussy due to the Oberhauser connection
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,266
    Compelling is the right word, @Birdleson! Fleming's novels are very hard to put down for me. I can easily start reading after diner and find myself still going way past midnight. And despite having read the novels quite often already, I never grow tired of them.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,480
    I am re-reading all the novels, starting with Dr. No probably in February. Not rushing, hoping to finish them in the summer.
  • I am re-reading all the novels, starting with Dr. No probably in February. Not rushing, hoping to finish them in the summer.
    Any reason you are starting with Dr No?

  • DrShatterhandDrShatterhand Garden of Death, near Belfast
    edited January 2015 Posts: 805
    I was given the Vintage boxed collection for Father's Day. Been working my way through them in order...half way through FYEO so looking forward to starting the run of SPECTRE novels next.
  • Posts: 11,119
    I was given the Vintage boxed collection for Father's Day. Been working my way through them in order...half way through FYEO so looking forward to starting the run of SPECTRE novels next.

    The one with the hardback blue cassette box?
  • DrShatterhandDrShatterhand Garden of Death, near Belfast
    Posts: 805
    This one..think it was only about £20...bargain of the century :)
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0099587955?me=&ref=olp_product_details
  • edited March 2015 Posts: 7,653
    No I will not, to make sure that I will not become disappointed with SPECTRE, as it will be less than anything Fleming wrote.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    edited January 2015 Posts: 12,480
    I just reread Casino Royale. :) Dr. No and Live and Let Die are two favorites.

    But depending upon when I get the books (ordering them), I will try to go in chronological order. Which will be a first for me, so that should be interesting.
  • edited January 2015 Posts: 15,234
    I will reread OP. I reread parts of OHMSS during the Christmas holidays, which convinced me that it is pretty safe to assume Waltz will be Blofeld. Of all the novels featuring Blofeld, it is the one which elements will most likely be found in the movie, at least when it comes to settings and atmosphere.
  • Posts: 11,119
    True. I mean, most of us haven't really talked about it. But that bullet hole from the teaser poster must have some origin in the film next November.
  • I will certainly re-read 'Thunderball' as part of my home work not withstanding that my big literary treat for 2015 will hopefully be Horowitz's new Bond opus albeit, given that it is set in the '50s it is unlikely to feature 'Spectre'.
    Thunderball is one of the few Fleming books that I've read only once and I have very fond memories of it. It is also the novel that launches and gives the most life to 'Spectre' as a terrorist organisation.
    IVNSHO (in Villieurs53's not so humble opinion) OHMSS and YOLT were more focused on Blofeld as a solo villain than on 'Spectre' as an organisation.
  • Posts: 15,234
    True. I mean, most of us haven't really talked about it. But that bullet hole from the teaser poster must have some origin in the film next November.

    We will see it included in the gunbarrel, maybe?
  • Posts: 11,119
    Ludovico wrote: »
    True. I mean, most of us haven't really talked about it. But that bullet hole from the teaser poster must have some origin in the film next November.

    We will see it included in the gunbarrel, maybe?

    I think it'll be during a scene in the film other than the gunbarrel. It's too obvious that in this trailer a bullet hole sloway evolves into SPECTRE's octopus logo. I guess this refers to a key moment in the film, where SPECTRE leaves his cruel "fingerprint". Perhaps Madeleine Swann is cruelly killed of by a Spectre-sniper? Perhaps it refers to the death of Mr White?

  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,480
    I really think it may not be in the film.
  • Posts: 11,119
    I really think it may not be in the film.

    So why this elaborate bullet hole in the teaser trailer?

  • Posts: 15,234
    I really think it may not be in the film.

    So why this elaborate bullet hole in the teaser trailer?

    Because it's a teaser?
  • My first reaction to the bullet hole trailer was its similarity to the late, great Raymond Hawkey's 1963 cover art for PAN's first edition of 'Thunderball'.
    A truly iconic book cover that introduced SPECTRE to millions of people!
  • Posts: 406
    Going to australia later in the year so going to download them and read on the plane
  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    Alan007 wrote: »
    Going to australia later in the year so going to download them and read on the plane

    Surely you need to inhale the scent of an old Fleming while reading? I can't imagine reading a Fleming digitally.

  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384
    :) Recently I re-read all the Fleming novels, and for a change I got one a month
    On kindle. Great to get back to the Fleming books, I changed my opinion on
    Some I hadn't read in years.
    Having them now on my tablet and phone etc, I can dip into them anywhere. ;)
  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    DrGorner wrote: »
    Having them now on my tablet and phone etc, I can dip into them anywhere. ;)

    That is quite appealing. I always carry one on my person, but I'm not sure I could get away with carrying the whole set!
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384
    They have helped me on a few shopping trips, as my good wife looked at shoes.
    I could sit down and get into a bit of Goldfinger etc. :D
  • Posts: 11,119
    Ludovico wrote: »
    I really think it may not be in the film.

    So why this elaborate bullet hole in the teaser trailer?

    Because it's a teaser?

    Teasers usually show scenes that are deleted in the final product. But usually not an entire story/plot element. Which that bullet hole could be.
  • JuraquagmireJuraquagmire Canada
    Posts: 41
    I will not. In my option 'Blofeld trilogy' are worst part of Fleming's story... And I never like this Blofeld character; only great thing about Blofeld is John Gardner's Blofeld's daughter- Nena... Nevertheless, I glad these books has fans. And I am exciting for SPECTRE.
  • Posts: 15,234
    OHMSS and YOLT are among his best novels and Blofeld is an amazing character! That a mere copist (as this is what continuators are) did better is simply ludicrous.
  • RC7 wrote: »
    Alan007 wrote: »
    Going to australia later in the year so going to download them and read on the plane

    Surely you need to inhale the scent of an old Fleming while reading? I can't imagine reading a Fleming digitally.

    How right you are RC7, I can't imagine not being able to inhale that sent of real print.
    I always bring out one of my leather bound Easton press editions and inhale with gusto whilst rereading.
    I also take pride in having it underarm or on display for others to comment on. In fact, all this talk of Spectre makes me reach for my copy of Thunderball!

  • Posts: 11,119
    Villiers53 wrote: »
    RC7 wrote: »
    Alan007 wrote: »
    Going to australia later in the year so going to download them and read on the plane

    Surely you need to inhale the scent of an old Fleming while reading? I can't imagine reading a Fleming digitally.

    How right you are RC7, I can't imagine not being able to inhale that sent of real print.
    I always bring out one of my leather bound Easton press editions and inhale with gusto whilst rereading.
    I also take pride in having it underarm or on display for others to comment on. In fact, all this talk of Spectre makes me reach for my copy of Thunderball!

    I already spent my money on very rare vintage Bond posters. Because those leather bound Fleming novels are insanely priced :-P.

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