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That would be excellent if we did sync up—and how exciting to be reading through the Gardners for the first time! They have their drawbacks, but they certainly have their moments as well!
I suspect you're right. Even though Fleming kept a similar pace (a Bond a year), I know Gardener also continued working on his other writing while working on Bond and Bond was surely a much fresher and more creatively inspiring well for Fleming as it was his own creation and had at the time no history for comparison nor reinventing required.
I'd love to read them at some point, but they aren't widely available. One of these days I'm sure I'll get my hands on nice copies for a reasonable price and it will be a wonderful find. Or better yet—but rather unlikely—they'll re-release them!
Yes, I'd be happy to tag along with that. Need to read all the Continuations again anyway, so this is the perfect chance to do It!
Overall Gardner is very uneven, some parts of his books hits the right tone and tempo whilst some parts is way off mark with everything.
What I find most problematic is his way of writing Bond, often it seems as he is not interested in Bond but in everything around him. That is particularly noticeable in Death Is Forever where all the characters except Bond has some kind of flourish. Bond is often an inept spectator, quoting poetry and falls in love several times during the books. Sometimes I wonder if it was intentional from Gardner, to submerse the character and defy our expectations. @Dragonpol, do you know?
But as I said, when Gardner deliveries he does it big time. I have Brokenclaw, Scorpius and Win, Lose or Die to go and I am pretty hopeful. Overall the novels are entertaining and interesting, I like when authors or directors dare to go against expectations and do something new.
I have also read Bensons first two novels. They are more written like Fleming, but can’t keep consistency in tone. It is very obvious that Benson was not a full fledged writer at the time. Often there is a lot action sequences and spying bunched together without a plot that keeps it together. The books are quite messy and incoherent. I will continue to read is other books during 2018 and hope to be entertained, but the problems thus far keeps me worried of what’s in store.
Now I’m almost finished with Christopher Woods adaptation of TSWLM. It is a cracking read, far away from the film. This is a brutal story where Bond is going through a constant inner turmoil. I can really believe that this is same man that Fleming left in TMWTGG. Here he is wiser but more stubborn. He is that “seen and done it all” mindset.
The book keeps the basic premise and characters but overall it is new situations in a more grounded reality. I do really like this book and admire Wood for doing something radically different to his film counterpart. This book really breathes Fleming in a way that does feel authentic. Not a small feat.
Currently on John Pearson 007 biography to be followed by Christopher Wood's books.
I may not be able to keep up with you but I'll share my thoughts as I go.
Plenty to keep me busy until the next film!
Enjoying the 007 biography so far. A different spin on the Young Bond novels in a way. Worth a read.
Yes, I think that'd be a fair enough summation, as much of a Gardner fan as I am. Those are all must-reads to give one a firm foundation in the Continuation Bond from which you can then springboard to Gardner et al if you so wish.
Gardner really only goes bad when he begins to run dry of ideas and repeat himself in the second half of his run. Understandable I guess as he wrote 14 of them (plus novelizations) which is more than even Fleming himself wrote before experiencing burn-outs of sorts. I recall Gardner's 12th, Death Is Forever, being a fairly egregious case of repetition, which made for quite a laborious read. But overall I probably have more positive things to say about Gardner than any other continuation author. His earliest books seem to be his best regarded by consensus, but I also rate Nobody Lives Forever, No Deals, Mr. Bond, and Win, Lose or Die among his best output—and Brokenclaw, through not without its faults, has some fascinating stuff too. Gardner at the very least kept alive and strong the now seemingly lost tradition of the inventive torture scenario. Much the same as with the films—or even Fleming's own books—people love some and loathe some and opinions will vary.
https://www.mi6community.com/discussion/1614/what-are-you-reading
The Spy Who Loved Me. Only a few chapters in and the hard edge missing from the film is most welcome.
It looks like from here on all the 007 adventures will take place in at least 2 countries. Are there any more that take place in just one like the books before?
Have you read Colonel Sun yet? It's just set in Greece in the main.
Sorry! For Special Services is mostly set in the US.
I'm sure there are others. I need to think back!
be prepared for a deep plunge.
Of course it's worse than Gardner!
Are you posting drunk again? Your Irish accent is slipping through.
I much prefer Colonel Sun and that great 007 biography.
Gardner's first has me hooked with a great set up. Loving the fact this is a new Bond story.
For Special Services is good so far. Pretty happy having spent only £3.25 on each Gardner novel.
What do people think of Benson? Haven't read much about him on here.
Interesting. Care to elaborate, @Thunderfinger?