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MR feels like it takes longer to hit it's stride, but all the better for it. And why have EON not used the ending?
Next: Diamonds Are Forever
1. Moonraker - Ian Fleming (1955)
2. Casino Royale - Ian Fleming (1953)
3. Live And Let Die - Ian Fleming (1954)
Indeed. Although I hope it isn't used for B24. Craig-Bond deserves at least one happy ending.
P.s I'm surprised you got Moonranker ahead of Casino Royale, Major...
If people are wondering why non of Gardner or Benson Bond novel ever got screen adaptation. This article filled the answer:
http://www.thebookbond.com/2007/11/craig-says-eon-doesnt-own-gardner.html
Makes me sad because EON may run out of original titles name for future Bond films. However some of the idea, plot, and references from Gardner and Benson book did appear on film. Gardner's License Renewed did have influence on Bond films:
The World is not enough: Anton Murik's plot of a nuclear disaster with the aid of an infamous terrorist (Franco Oliveiro Quesocriado) is the basis for Electra King having Renard to do a nuclear meltdown.
A view to a kill: Anton cheating at horce racing was one of the characteristic for Max Zorin.
The Living Daylight: Anton's obession with weapon is similar to Brad Whitaker.
Gardner's Role of Honour share a similar ending to A View to a Kill
Tomorrow Never Dies and Benson's Zero minus Ten had similar plot and they both came out in 1997. There are differences between the 2 like in Zero minus Ten, the bad guy is different from Carver (motive, and behavior), also unlike the yellow journalism used in the movie, it involved nuclear weapon to start a war between China and UK.
Oh I enjoyed CR, and I don't think it'll slip down the list too far, but this time I just enjoyed MR a little more.
And i've started DAF last night.
I think it feels different to the other books too.
Well he's always been less of a superman in the books I've read but it seems like he's really been losing his touch since Tracy died. He's always drunk and gambled, etc, but in this one he really seems like he's past it at first. M was thinking about firing him too.
To me, that's one of the strengths of that book; it highlighted that Bond wasn't a Superman, that he'd been all but broken when Blofeld killed his wife.
Gotta love how Fleming opens the novel: "There are moments of great luxury in the life of a secret agent. There are assignments on which he is required to act the part of a very rich man; occasions when he takes refuge in good living to efface the memory of danger and the shadow of death…"
I'm devoting the month of December to the Fleming's Bond. Next up is MOONRAKER.
Classic.
Also just started re-reading Pearson's James Bond: The Authorized Biography. It's quite entertaining, I think.
He actually does a really good job and he reminds me what a great book it is. Having read it twice I've always preferred the film slightly because its more subtle, but the book is still great. I love how the first 10 minutes of the film (the planning of the operation and the introduction of the antagonists) take up the majority of the novel.
Stephens does put a few "Bond-ism's" into his narration - which some may not like but I really enjoyed. Like when Bond greets Klebb in the hotel room at the end, Stephens emphasises the "my name is Bond...James Bond", it had me shout a YEAH in the car (luckily I was on my own).
Also when Klebb is about to strike Bond with the shoe she says "farewell Mr Bond". Stephens's delivers the line in a Russian accent which really echo's the movies.
He makes Grant sound a American at times but I think it works.
I LOVED his portrayal of Kerim Bay but JESUS did they tone him down in the film.
A line that made my mouth open:
"all women want to be swept off their feet. In their dreams they long to be swung over a mans shoulder, taken into a cave and raped!"
Lines that made me think "this guy is a dude"
Bond: "you must come to London some day"
Kerim: "never" said kerim definitely. "The weather and the women are far too cold" (whats changed in 55 years?)
"I fear the experience was too much for the girl. When I released her she had hysterics. Im afraid she had decided that my lovemaking is altogether too violent"
Its interesting how somewhat bland and plain the literary Bond is compared to a lot of the other characters featured in the books.
I always wondered how Bond could be so casual about his friend holding a gypsy girl prisoner for his own pleasure. Bond might be sexist at times, but that's beyond him.
Fleming also mentions that Bond has to retire at the age of 45 (no one told Sir Rog) and he speculates about the number of missions he might complete in that time - he thinks he might have to complete as many as 24 (wonder if this will get a nod in Bond 24).
Also and most surprising of all is that Bond has his own secretary - Loelia Ponsonby - who he shares with 008 and 0011. Whatever happened to her?