Which Bond novel are you currently reading?

LeonardPine

While re-reading Moonraker i realised how much i refer back to the internet for things Fleming mentions. Things like, Wine, places, landmarks and cars.

This time i was interested in Drax's car of choice, the Mercedes 300 S.

And what a beauty it is!

Revelator

LeonardPine wrote: »

While re-reading Moonraker i realised how much i refer back to the internet for things Fleming mentions.

This is why there ought to be annotated editions of the Bond novels. I don't understand why IFP has neglected the opportunity. And some of the deluxe annotated editions out there, such as the Sherlock Holmes ones, include illustrations. In the mean time, I recommend Ian Fleming's James Bond: Annotations and Chronologies for Ian Fleming's Bond Stories by John Griswold. I don't have much use for the Chronologies, but the Annotations are very helpful.

mtm

Yes, that would be a good selling point for new prints of them, that's a good idea.

Thunderball

Perhaps. I found that I was a much smarter person with a much improved interest in history and international culture after finally reading all the Ian Fleming novels and short stories. I rather liked putting in the extra legwork to grasp the context that these stories are told in, but I'm probably alone in that. I certainly don't expect most readers to do the same.

LeonardPine

Revelator wrote: »

LeonardPine wrote: »

While re-reading Moonraker i realised how much i refer back to the internet for things Fleming mentions.

This is why there ought to be annotated editions of the Bond novels. I don't understand why IFP has neglected the opportunity. And some of the deluxe annotated editions out there, such as the Sherlock Holmes ones, include illustrations. In the mean time, I recommend Ian Fleming's James Bond: Annotations and Chronologies for Ian Fleming's Bond Stories by John Griswold. I don't have much use for the Chronologies, but the Annotations are very helpful.

Thanks for that recommendation @Revelator

CharmianBond

Okay so I finished reading The Final Fling and with it The Moneypenny Diaries a couple weeks ago, before this new announcement but I want to say my piece now because I’ve done it for the others (can’t believe it’s taken me almost exactly 2 years!) and because with Amazon taking over creative control the fear is that the franchise will be flooded with spin-offs the likes of which IFP have been doing for decades.

But despite being a massive champion of the spin-off books it is also a fear I share. To the vast majority of people James Bond is a film franchise before it is book series, EON’s influence vastly dwarfs IFP and I think that allows them the free reign to experiment with these spinoffs in a way the film series can’t and probably shouldn’t.

There’s also the corporate angle, coming from Amazon one can’t help by feel they will be soulless pieces of content to prop up Prime Video. And while they are chasing trends with them I never feel like the IFP books are soulless and the experimentation is borne of the authors’ deep love for the characters.

So speaking for the book itself, I tore through it one sitting as it relegates the titular diaries in favour of answering the mystery of the present-day storyline following Moneypenny’s niece. It dovetails the two nicely into a neat conclusion. While I’m not opposed to Moneypenny secretly being more than a secretary I think this book is strengthen by having her be far more grounded and yet still having massive swings like all but confirming that

James Bond retires, living with Moneypenny on North Uist under a new identity and a new beard.

I think in the days where most spinoffs are made to please algorithms I respect and admire ones where a singular author has a vision and swings for the fences. Because if there is going to be a Moneypenny TV series in the works it won’t be like this and that’ll be to its detriment.

RichardTheBruce

I liked the first book and need to read the other two.

There is also The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Chapters with two stories available free on Kindle through Amazon. Of all places.

The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Chapters Kindle Edition

by Kate Westbrook (Author), Samantha Weinberg (Author)
https://www.amazon.com/Moneypenny-Diaries-Secret-Chapters-ebook/dp/B08GTRRF7M

Two short stories, in the world of The Moneypenny Diaries.

Kate Westbrook, niece of the intrepid Miss Moneypenny and editor of her famous diaries, has uncovered two more of her aunt's formerly-classified adventures.

Short stories First Date and For Your Eyes Only, James offer a tantalising (and candid) glimpse into the life of James Bond's confidante and co-conspiritor: the ever-resourceful Miss Moneypenny .

MaxCasino

CharmianBond wrote: »

Okay so I finished reading The Final Fling and with it The Moneypenny Diaries a couple weeks ago, before this new announcement but I want to say my piece now because I’ve done it for the others (can’t believe it’s taken me almost exactly 2 years!) and because with Amazon taking over creative control the fear is that the franchise will be flooded with spin-offs the likes of which IFP have been doing for decades.

But despite being a massive champion of the spin-off books it is also a fear I share. To the vast majority of people James Bond is a film franchise before it is book series, EON’s influence vastly dwarfs IFP and I think that allows them the free reign to experiment with these spinoffs in a way the film series can’t and probably shouldn’t.

There’s also the corporate angle, coming from Amazon one can’t help by feel they will be soulless pieces of content to prop up Prime Video. And while they are chasing trends with them I never feel like the IFP books are soulless and the experimentation is borne of the authors’ deep love for the characters.

So speaking for the book itself, I tore through it one sitting as it relegates the titular diaries in favour of answering the mystery of the present-day storyline following Moneypenny’s niece. It dovetails the two nicely into a neat conclusion. While I’m not opposed to Moneypenny secretly being more than a secretary I think this book is strengthen by having her be far more grounded and yet still having massive swings like all but confirming that

James Bond retires, living with Moneypenny on North Uist under a new identity and a new beard.

I think in the days where most spinoffs are made to please algorithms I respect and admire ones where a singular author has a vision and swings for the fences. Because if there is going to be a Moneypenny TV series in the works it won’t be like this and that’ll be to its detriment.

I would be happier with Bond spinoffs being set more in the literary world than the cinematic one. It's nice to see someone else be a fan of possible Bond literary spinoffs! However, as you said @CharmianBond it has to be done carefully with quantity. IFP shouldn't start another series until a series or one-off is done. Double-00 book 3 and The Q Mysteries 1 should be the exception. Due to Kim Sherwood's real life troubles. So that may be a positive about Amazon buying James Bond, they could have a regular schedule for Bond books, as well as movies.