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Which Bond novel are you currently reading?

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  • thelivingroyalethelivingroyale
    Posts: 12,837
    TMWTGG It's not as, lets say polished, as some of the others, but I still really enjoyed it and I'd rank it inbetween Moonraker and Casino Royale.
  • 00130013
    Posts: 1,817
    thelivingroyale wrote:
    TMWTGG It's not as, lets say polished, as some of the others, but I still really enjoyed it and I'd rank it inbetween Moonraker and Casino Royale.

    Do you picture Scaramanga as Christopher Lee? Besides his amazing portrayal in the movie, in the books he is more rough, more like Anthony Quinn maybe.
  • thelivingroyalethelivingroyale
    Posts: 12,837
    0013 wrote:
    thelivingroyale wrote:
    TMWTGG It's not as, lets say polished, as some of the others, but I still really enjoyed it and I'd rank it inbetween Moonraker and Casino Royale.

    Do you picture Scaramanga as Christopher Lee? Besides his amazing portrayal in the movie, in the books he is more rough, more like Anthony Quinn maybe.

    I didn't, which surprised me because I normally just picture the film actors. I preferred Lee's version to the book version though to be honest.
  • AliAli
    edited January 2013 Posts: 319
    Nearing the end of DAF and enjoyed it far more than the movie. They really mucked up in making Tiffany an airhead bimbo compared to the fantastically complex and confused book character. Bond is also a far more vulnerable, and likeable, human being in the book compared to old Smuggy McSmug on screen.

    Dr. No awaits, unless I can find a copy of LALD or MR soon. i know I could order them online, but with all these UK institutions going to the wall on the high street, I'm determined to spend real money in real shops just now.
  • 00130013
    Posts: 1,817
    Yes, they are very different characters...
    I also can picture Gian Maria Volonté as Fleming's Scaramanga:
    images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQrVq7u4oiDiChQYG6HnsSq67SiVUtEZx-7sF9JSSX1CP8eKRvnL1E6uHuH
  • AliAli
    Posts: 319
    I thought Lee was utterly wasted in TMWTGG. He's a fantastically charismatic actor yet was given such poor material to work with.
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 6,380
    DB5 wrote:
    echo wrote:
    I feel that, eventually, Eon will ask for the rights to TSWLM, and Glidrose will grant them. The need for more original Fleming will win out.

    Anyone else agree?

    Eon already HAS the rights to TSWLM, they made a movie with that title in 1977 and theoretically could remake another one with that title (or any of the other 22 titles they've already done for that matter) any time they wanted to. If you mean could they produce a film about a Canadian girl who moves to London, has two affairs, and then gets a job at a seedy motel in the Adirondacks before meeting up with a couple of bad guys and being rescued by James Bond; yes they can also make THAT movie any time they want to. The question is, would audiences pay to see that movie? Remember, Eon does not make Bond films solely to please the aesthetic tastes of a few Bond fans on the MI6 site, they're also slightly interested in making money!

    No. Fleming sold Eon the rights to the title only. However, I think that eventually Eon will want to use whatever material they can get from the story and will renegotiate with Glidrose/the IFF.
  • 00130013
    Posts: 1,817
    Ali wrote:
    I thought Lee was utterly wasted in TMWTGG. He's a fantastically charismatic actor yet was given such poor material to work with.

    In my opinion they deviate the drama by the inclusion of the Solex plot instead of emphasize in the mano a mano, Scaramanga vs. Bond confrontation. And the search for Scaramanga in the Caribbean (which is only mention in the book) could have been an exciting story in the movie.
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,999
    Finished GF today. The pace was slower than a sloth slowly moving through syrup, then it suddenly rushes to the climax.


    1. Moonraker - Ian Fleming (1955)
    2. From Russia With Love - Ian Fleming (1957)
    3. Casino Royale - Ian Fleming (1953)
    4. Live And Let Die - Ian Fleming (1954)
    5. Dr No - Ian Fleming (1958)
    ****6. Goldfinger - Ian Fleming (1959)****
    7. Diamonds Are Forever - Ian Fleming (1956)

    Next up: From A View To A Kill

  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,999
    Finished the collection of FYEO short stories yesterday. After the sloooooowwww Goldfinger, they felt like a breath of fresh air, THR didn't like quite as much.

    1. Moonraker - Ian Fleming (1955)
    2. From Russia With Love - Ian Fleming (1957)
    3. Casino Royale - Ian Fleming (1953)
    ****4. For Your Eyes Only - Ian Fleming (1960)****
    ****5. Quantum Of Solace - Ian Fleming (1960)****
    6. Live And Let Die - Ian Fleming (1954)
    ****7. From A View To A Kill - Ian Fleming (1960)****
    ****8. Risico - Ian Fleming (1960)****
    ****9. The Hilderbrand Rarity - Ian Fleming (1960)****
    10. Dr No - Ian Fleming (1958)
    11. Goldfinger - Ian Fleming (1959)
    12. Diamonds Are Forever - Ian Fleming (1956)

    Next up: Thunderball
  • brinkeguthriebrinkeguthrie Piz Gloria
    Posts: 1,400
    GF, never gets old. I find myself hearing Gert Frobe (or the guy who dubbed him) when I read the book.
  • DB5DB5
    Posts: 408
    echo wrote:
    DB5 wrote:
    echo wrote:
    I feel that, eventually, Eon will ask for the rights to TSWLM, and Glidrose will grant them. The need for more original Fleming will win out.

    Anyone else agree?

    Eon already HAS the rights to TSWLM, they made a movie with that title in 1977 and theoretically could remake another one with that title (or any of the other 22 titles they've already done for that matter) any time they wanted to. If you mean could they produce a film about a Canadian girl who moves to London, has two affairs, and then gets a job at a seedy motel in the Adirondacks before meeting up with a couple of bad guys and being rescued by James Bond; yes they can also make THAT movie any time they want to. The question is, would audiences pay to see that movie? Remember, Eon does not make Bond films solely to please the aesthetic tastes of a few Bond fans on the MI6 site, they're also slightly interested in making money!

    No. Fleming sold Eon the rights to the title only. However, I think that eventually Eon will want to use whatever material they can get from the story and will renegotiate with Glidrose/the IFF.

    I stand corrected, you are absolutely right echo, Fleming sold Eon the rights to TSWLM title only, not to the story by the same name. And you're right, Glidrose has the rights to the story. Which creates an interesting situation. If Eon did want to buy the rights and produce a movie with this storyline, would they call it "The Spy Who Loved Me?" But, in the words of Goldfinger, "there is another possibility however." Suppose another film producer wanted to purchase the rights to the story? In addition to the title, does Eon also have the exclusive rights to the "James Bond" character, precluding anyone else from using it? One more wrinkle; as I understand copyright law, the holding of these rights extends to the death of the author plus 75 years. Since Fleming died in 1964, this would mean that in August 2039 the rights to "The Spy Who Loved Me" would revert to the public domain. Would a rival production company be legally permitted to use the story and the title at that time, despite the fact that Eon produced a film with that title in 1977?

  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 6,380
    Yes, there is a danger that Bond will fall into the public domain and that we eventually would see multiple versions of Bond of varying quality (like Peter Pan). But the studios (Disney especially) are loathe to give up their creations so I expect that in the US at least the copyright will be extended.

    I wonder if Eon has a right of first refusal on any sale of TSWLM; I wonder if Cubby thought that far ahead. I have a feeling that MGW would. That way Eon could block any other company from doing the film.
  • TaffinTaffin
    Posts: 37
    Licence to Kill by John Gardner, never read this one yet and it's really enjoyable so far!
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,999
    Finished TB earlier today, another Fleming that I enjoyed. Though I have to say that I preferred the cinematic Domino to the literary counterpart.


    1. Moonraker - Ian Fleming (1955)
    2. From Russia With Love - Ian Fleming (1957)
    3. Casino Royale - Ian Fleming (1953)
    4. For Your Eyes Only - Ian Fleming (1960)
    *****5. Thunderball - Ian Fleming (1961)*****
    6. Quantum Of Solace - Ian Fleming (1960)
    7. Live And Let Die - Ian Fleming (1954)
    8. From A View To A Kill - Ian Fleming (1960)
    9. Risico - Ian Fleming (1960)
    10. The Hilderbrand Rarity - Ian Fleming (1960)
    11. Dr No - Ian Fleming (1958)
    12. Goldfinger - Ian Fleming (1959)
    13. Diamonds Are Forever - Ian Fleming (1956)

    Next up: The Spy Who Loved Me
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,999
    Update on my Bondathon, i'm on OHMSS, I should have it finished tomorrow. I'd forgot how agonising a read it is, when you know how it ends.


    1. Moonraker - Ian Fleming (1955)
    2. From Russia With Love - Ian Fleming (1957)
    3. Casino Royale - Ian Fleming (1953)
    4. For Your Eyes Only - Ian Fleming (1960)
    5. Thunderball - Ian Fleming (1961)
    6. Quantum Of Solace - Ian Fleming (1960)
    7. Live And Let Die - Ian Fleming (1954)
    8. From A View To A Kill - Ian Fleming (1960)
    9. Risico - Ian Fleming (1960)
    10. The Hilderbrand Rarity - Ian Fleming (1960)
    11. Dr No - Ian Fleming (1958)
    12. The Spy Who Loved Me - Ian Fleming (1962)
    13. Goldfinger - Ian Fleming (1959)
    14. Diamonds Are Forever - Ian Fleming (1956)

  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,827
    It's interesting to see MOONRAKER staying in your #1 spot- it's always held the fondest of reading memories for me.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    edited March 2013 Posts: 17,827
    Drax double post!
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,999
    This evening I sat down to finish off OHMSS, and before I knew it, I had devoured the last five chapters. That ending packed no less of a punch, even knowing full well what happens.


    1. Moonraker - Ian Fleming (1955)
    *****2. On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Ian Fleming (1963)*****
    3. From Russia With Love - Ian Fleming (1957)
    4. Casino Royale - Ian Fleming (1953)
    5. For Your Eyes Only - Ian Fleming (1960)
    6. Thunderball - Ian Fleming (1961)
    7. Quantum Of Solace - Ian Fleming (1960)
    8. Live And Let Die - Ian Fleming (1954)
    9. From A View To A Kill - Ian Fleming (1960)
    10. Risico - Ian Fleming (1960)
    11. The Hilderbrand Rarity - Ian Fleming (1960)
    12. Dr No - Ian Fleming (1958)
    13. The Spy Who Loved Me - Ian Fleming (1962)
    14. Goldfinger - Ian Fleming (1959)
    15. Diamonds Are Forever - Ian Fleming (1956)

    Next up: You Only Live Twice
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    edited March 2013 Posts: 17,827
    MajorDSmythe wrote:
    Next up: You Only Live Twice
    Oh, I'm dying to see where this ends up ranking!
    BTW, thanks for your posts!
    =D>
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,999
    And that's You Only Live Twice finished. In the past, it's been my favourite Bond book, and while I did still enjoy it, I think my ranking speaks for itself. Not #1, but still one of my favourites.
    Oh, and I really want to see the Garden Of Death, in all it's beautiful and bizzare glory onscreen. But with the films now being so artsy and super serious, I think I may have to wait.

    1. Moonraker - Ian Fleming (1955)
    2. On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Ian Fleming (1963)
    3. From Russia With Love - Ian Fleming (1957)
    *****4. You Only Live Twice - Ian Fleming (1964)*****
    5. Casino Royale - Ian Fleming (1953)
    6. For Your Eyes Only - Ian Fleming (1960)
    7. Thunderball - Ian Fleming (1961)
    8. Quantum Of Solace - Ian Fleming (1960)
    9. Live And Let Die - Ian Fleming (1954)
    10. From A View To A Kill - Ian Fleming (1960)
    11. Risico - Ian Fleming (1960)
    12. The Hilderbrand Rarity - Ian Fleming (1960)
    13. Dr No - Ian Fleming (1958)
    14. The Spy Who Loved Me - Ian Fleming (1962)
    15. Goldfinger - Ian Fleming (1959)
    16. Diamonds Are Forever - Ian Fleming (1956)

    Next up: The Man With The Golden Gun
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,827
    MajorDSmythe wrote:
    Next up: The Man With The Golden Gun

    It's been way too long sing I read that.
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,999
    chrisisall wrote:
    MajorDSmythe wrote:
    Next up: The Man With The Golden Gun

    It's been way too long sing I read that.

    I'm going to make a confession, I don't remember much about TMWTGG. Which is why i'm having this Bondathon.
    Same as Colonel Sun, the 2 Christopher Wood novelisations, a handful of the Gardner books and a handful of the Benson books, all of which I have not yet read.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,827
    MajorDSmythe wrote:
    I'm going to make a confession, I don't remember much about TMWTGG.
    You too?
    I have to start my own Flemingthon after I get to the Gardner books. The only thing I've read recently (few months ago) was Wood's TSWLM, and I had great fun with it!
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    chrisisall wrote:
    MajorDSmythe wrote:
    I'm going to make a confession, I don't remember much about TMWTGG.
    You too?
    I have to start my own Flemingthon after I get to the Gardner books. The only thing I've read recently (few months ago) was Wood's TSWLM, and I had great fun with it!

    Same here. I hope to make my summer a Fleming Bondathon. I will be busy with work, but hopefully I can get a lot of them read. I may start from scratch again and reread CR, LALD and MR before continuing on.
  • brinkeguthriebrinkeguthrie Piz Gloria
    Posts: 1,400
    Just finished Moonraker, with that terrific part about Blades in it..so well written. Now onto TMWTGG...then Spy, and that's it for the year.

    I prefer the books to the movies by a large margin.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,827
    =bg= wrote:
    I prefer the books to the movies by a large margin.
    In general, I'd agree. But books allow for such a richer experience...
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    edited April 2013 Posts: 13,999
    And that's The Man With The Golden Gun finished. Before reading it, I couldn't remember much about TMWTGG, having now finished re-reading it... I don't know, it's... it's lacking something. I don't know how much Fleming wrote and how much Amis touched up, but it feels more like fan fiction.

    Something really bugged me in this book. Bond sneaks into Scaramanga's room, and removes the bullet that is already in the chamber, why couldn't he have removed the firing pin instead? Did Bond really think that Scaramaga wouldn't check the gun? Afterall, Bond regularly checks his firearm, be it the Baretta or Walther, especially before he goes to sleep. It felt like an unnecessary risk on Bond's part.

    1. Moonraker - Ian Fleming (1955)
    2. On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Ian Fleming (1963)
    3. From Russia With Love - Ian Fleming (1957)
    4. You Only Live Twice - Ian Fleming (1964)
    5. Casino Royale - Ian Fleming (1953)
    6. For Your Eyes Only - Ian Fleming (1960)
    7. Thunderball - Ian Fleming (1961)
    8. Quantum Of Solace - Ian Fleming (1960)
    9. Live And Let Die - Ian Fleming (1954)
    10. From A View To A Kill - Ian Fleming (1960)
    11. Risico - Ian Fleming (1960)
    12. The Hilderbrand Rarity - Ian Fleming (1960)
    13. Dr No - Ian Fleming (1958)
    14. The Spy Who Loved Me - Ian Fleming (1962)
    *****15. The Man With The Golden Gun - Ian Fleming (1965)*****
    16. Goldfinger - Ian Fleming (1959)
    17. Diamonds Are Forever - Ian Fleming (1956)

    Next up: Octopussy
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    edited April 2013 Posts: 13,999
    Having finished 007 In New York (horrendous title and a poor story), this concludes Octopussy And The Living Daylights, and in turn the original Ian Fleming era of the literary Bond. With 007 In New York being so short, I was going to move onto the next book today, but i'll start it tomorrow instead. So, where do the 4 stories that compile Octopussy And The Living Daylights fall in my ranking...?

    01. Moonraker - Ian Fleming (1955)
    02. On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Ian Fleming (1963)
    03. From Russia With Love - Ian Fleming (1957)
    04. You Only Live Twice - Ian Fleming (1964)
    05. Casino Royale - Ian Fleming (1953)
    *****06. The Living Daylights - Ian Fleming (1966)*****
    07. For Your Eyes Only - Ian Fleming (1960)
    08. Thunderball - Ian Fleming (1961)
    09. Quantum Of Solace - Ian Fleming (1960)
    10. Live And Let Die - Ian Fleming (1954)
    11. From A View To A Kill - Ian Fleming (1960)
    12. Risico - Ian Fleming (1960)
    *****13. The Property Of A Lady - Ian Fleming (1966)*****
    14. The Hilderbrand Rarity - Ian Fleming (1960)
    15. Dr No - Ian Fleming (1958)
    16. The Spy Who Loved Me - Ian Fleming (1962)
    *****17. Octopussy - Ian Fleming (1966)*****
    18. The Man With The Golden Gun - Ian Fleming (1965)
    19. Goldfinger - Ian Fleming (1959)
    20. Diamonds Are Forever - Ian Fleming (1956)
    *****21. 007 In New York - Ian Fleming (1966)*****

    Next up: Colonel Sun


    Additional:
    From now on, it's going get interesting as there are a number of books which i've not read, at all, and Colonel Sun is one of them...
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,827
    MajorDSmythe wrote:
    From now on, it's going get interesting as there are a number of books which i've not read, at all, and Colonel Sun is one of them...
    I really REALLY want to see how you feel about Colonel Sun....
    Great reviews, thanks!
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