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Which Bond novel are you currently reading?

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  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    edited August 2012 Posts: 28,694
    echo wrote:
    I'm starting OHMSS and thinking that it must have been a shock to readers back then, after five novels of upbeat endings, to have the ultimate downer ending for Bond.

    What? CR and MR were depressing as hell, especially the former which the latter can't even compete with. And FRWL is an up in the air ending which is also not happy at all.
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 6,277
    DN-GF-FYEO-TB-TSWLM = five.
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 6,277
    I know there's a Honey Rider reference after DN--anyone know which novel?
  • 00130013
    edited August 2012 Posts: 1,817
    echo wrote:
    I know there's a Honey Rider reference after DN--anyone know which novel?

    I believe it's in The Man with the Golden Gun.
  • kittkitt
    edited August 2012 Posts: 3
    Hello everybody,

    had a long summer and re-read all Fleming, Colonel Sun, The Spy Who Loved Me (Movie Tie in), Moonraker (Movie Tie in), all Benson (except the movie tie-ins) and the first 6 Gardner. Started to work on August 1 again and have the next Gardners at the nightstand. Looking forward to eventually also reading the Young James Bond and Miss Moneypenny Books til the end of the year. Those would be complete new too me. I love the literary Bond so much better than the movies. Still Connery will always be the Bond for me even while reading the Books, but Craig's new character like Lazenby's in OHMSS are truer to the literary one.

    PS:If someone could help me out finding copies of the 2 Moneypenny Diaries short stories, I would be very thankful, cause at the time they got out I had no chance to order them, cause I live in Austria and it was only available for UK/US shipping.
  • thelordflasheartthelordflasheart
    Posts: 1,370
    Lancaster007 wrote:
    …oh dear, just into the second chapter and already have serious doubts. For starters, Felix is Fleming's Felix, now fitted with an articulated leg, so is he going to go through another shark attack, a big plot point in the film, which this book is meant to follow. And if he is Fleming's Felix, this would mean that he and Bond would be in their mid-sixties at the time of writing this book. This is why Gardner's books just don't work for me. I'll stick with it, but I don't think I'll ever read any more of Gardner's novels. What I would like is to get hold of a copy of Colonel Sun to read.

    Yep, Gardner was really trying to force a round peg into a square hole with his novelization of LTK. He brushes past Bond's age by saying that despite a "few grey hairs" he felt as alive as he ever did. And IIRC he has Bond pick up a woman at Felix's wedding for a one night stand - I can't recall how he reconciles this with Bond (at first) refusing Della's garter, then leaving alone presumably with thoughts of Tracy.

    But most ridiculous of all was his handling of the SECOND shark attack against Felix. I seem to recall that:
    The shark tries to eat Felix's artificial arm and leg and ends up just gnawing the stumps a little. The idea of a shark doing that, instead of going for a non-metal and plastic part of Felix's anatomy, is beyond ludicrous. But then Gardner actually comments on how lucky it was that the shark did it!

  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 6,277
    0013 wrote:
    echo wrote:
    I know there's a Honey Rider reference after DN--anyone know which novel?

    I believe it's in The Man with the Golden Gun.

    Thanks! I've been waiting for it as I reread but I'm only up to OHMSS.

  • Lancaster007Lancaster007 Shrublands Health Clinic, England
    Posts: 1,874
    thelordflasheart wrote:
    Lancaster007 wrote:
    …oh dear, just into the second chapter and already have serious doubts. For starters, Felix is Fleming's Felix, now fitted with an articulated leg, so is he going to go through another shark attack, a big plot point in the film, which this book is meant to follow. And if he is Fleming's Felix, this would mean that he and Bond would be in their mid-sixties at the time of writing this book. This is why Gardner's books just don't work for me. I'll stick with it, but I don't think I'll ever read any more of Gardner's novels. What I would like is to get hold of a copy of Colonel Sun to read.

    Yep, Gardner was really trying to force a round peg into a square hole with his novelization of LTK. He brushes past Bond's age by saying that despite a "few grey hairs" he felt as alive as he ever did. And IIRC he has Bond pick up a woman at Felix's wedding for a one night stand - I can't recall how he reconciles this with Bond (at first) refusing Della's garter, then leaving alone presumably with thoughts of Tracy.

    But most ridiculous of all was his handling of the SECOND shark attack against Felix. I seem to recall that:
    The shark tries to eat Felix's artificial arm and leg and ends up just gnawing the stumps a little. The idea of a shark doing that, instead of going for a non-metal and plastic part of Felix's anatomy, is beyond ludicrous. But then Gardner actually comments on how lucky it was that the shark did it!

    Yes, that was definitely a WTF moment! Talk about suspension of disbelief. I have also noted that Gardner gives his Bond some very un-Bond like dialogue. Shan't be seeking out anymore Gardner's after this, back to Fleming and what was my favourite when I first started reading the novels as a teen - Dr No.
  • quantumofsolacequantumofsolace England
    Posts: 279
    Ever since falling head over heels in love with 007 way back in the summer of '73 when I first read 'Live And Let Die' (swiftly followed by the rest of Mr. Fleming's sublime gems) I got into the habit of re-reading the series (in order of publication, naturally) each year. However, to my shame, I've let this slide in recent years but vowed to put this right in this, Bond's golden jubilee (cinematically speaking). Well, it's taken me longer to get round to it than planned but last week I finally set off on the ultimate literary journey with CR and today finished LALD. The thrill of reading these extraordinary novels again is quite overwhelming. 39 years on (hey, I was just a nipper when I started!) they are more "mercilessly readable" than ever and a reminder that even the finest of Bond's big screen adventures will never come within a million miles of the absolute perfection of Ian Fleming's mesmerising masterpieces. Oh the delicious anticipation of diving headfirst into MR tomorrow morning!
  • DB5DB5
    Posts: 408
    echo wrote:
    I'm starting OHMSS and thinking that it must have been a shock to readers back then, after five novels of upbeat endings, to have the ultimate downer ending for Bond.

    "Downer ending" aside, I still think it's the best Bond novel.

  • DB5DB5
    Posts: 408
    OK, I'm about a third of the way into "The Spy Who Loved Me." If you start reading it not as a James Bond story but more like a Harlequin Romance that just happens to have been written by Ian Fleming it's really not that bad. At least so far. It's a kind of "Sex and the City" type saga of a single girl's trials and tribulations over love and sex and relationships. I'm glad I saved this one for last.
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 6,277
    DB5 wrote:
    echo wrote:
    I'm starting OHMSS and thinking that it must have been a shock to readers back then, after five novels of upbeat endings, to have the ultimate downer ending for Bond.

    "Downer ending" aside, I still think it's the best Bond novel.

    I agree.
  • DB5DB5
    Posts: 408
    Major accomplishment! Today I finished the Fleming Bonds with "The Spy Who Loved Me." Two chapters into "Devil May Care."
  • Lancaster007Lancaster007 Shrublands Health Clinic, England
    edited September 2012 Posts: 1,874
    That's Gardner's Licence to Kill novelisation finished - bit of a slog toward the end and I won't be bothering with anymore Gardners. Nice cover to this one, but I think it will find it's way to the local library when I donate some more books.
    Back to Fleming and one of my all time favourites Dr No, I loved this one so much that I attempted to write (aged 14 or 15) my own spy novel which was basically a rip off of this book…wonder what happened to that 'manuscript'?
  • DB5DB5
    Posts: 408
    Just finished "Devil May Care." One word, AWFUL!

    Decided to give Gardner another shot. Two chapters into "Icebreaker."
  • emilbertilloemilbertillo
    Posts: 153
    DB5 wrote:
    Just finished "Devil May Care." One word, AWFUL!

    Decided to give Gardner another shot. Two chapters into "Icebreaker."

    What a coincidence. Just finished DMC too. I don't consider it as a Bond novel even. It's a Bond parody, a pastiche.

    Anyway, I've finished half of Death Is Forever. Another of intricately plotted ones along with The Man From Barbarossa. Gardner decided to take on Len Deighton or Robert Ludlum in here rather than Ian Fleming. Liked it, so far.
  • DB5DB5
    Posts: 408
    emilbertillo wrote:
    DB5 wrote:
    Just finished "Devil May Care." One word, AWFUL!

    Decided to give Gardner another shot. Two chapters into "Icebreaker."

    What a coincidence. Just finished DMC too. I don't consider it as a Bond novel even. It's a Bond parody, a pastiche.

    Anyway, I've finished half of Death Is Forever. Another of intricately plotted ones along with The Man From Barbarossa. Gardner decided to take on Len Deighton or Robert Ludlum in here rather than Ian Fleming. Liked it, so far.

    Since you mentioned Len Deighton, I was wondering if anyone has read the Harry Palmer novels (The Ipcress File, Funeral in Belin, Billion Dollar Brain). I remember seeing the Michael Caine films when with my parents when I was a child but I was too young to appreciate the films at tht time. I saw "The Ipcress File" for the second time on VHS about 20 years ago. At any rate, let me know if Deighton is worth a read.

  • emilbertilloemilbertillo
    edited September 2012 Posts: 153
    DB5 wrote:
    emilbertillo wrote:
    DB5 wrote:
    Just finished "Devil May Care." One word, AWFUL!

    Decided to give Gardner another shot. Two chapters into "Icebreaker."

    What a coincidence. Just finished DMC too. I don't consider it as a Bond novel even. It's a Bond parody, a pastiche.

    Anyway, I've finished half of Death Is Forever. Another of intricately plotted ones along with The Man From Barbarossa. Gardner decided to take on Len Deighton or Robert Ludlum in here rather than Ian Fleming. Liked it, so far.

    Since you mentioned Len Deighton, I was wondering if anyone has read the Harry Palmer novels (The Ipcress File, Funeral in Belin, Billion Dollar Brain). I remember seeing the Michael Caine films when with my parents when I was a child but I was too young to appreciate the films at tht time. I saw "The Ipcress File" for the second time on VHS about 20 years ago. At any rate, let me know if Deighton is worth a read.

    I did read all of the Unnamed Spy novels, but unfortunately I only own four Deightons (IPCRESS and the first Bernard Samson trilogy). I do reccomend it @DB5. The writing style is somewhat an amalgamation of Le Carre and Fleming.

    Finished DIF anyway, so I'll probably give the worsts of the lists another read to see if they really deserve my hatred. Starting with Dr. No. Fleming's worst, IMO.
  • DB5DB5
    Posts: 408
    emilbertillo wrote:
    DB5 wrote:
    emilbertillo wrote:
    DB5 wrote:
    Just finished "Devil May Care." One word, AWFUL!

    Decided to give Gardner another shot. Two chapters into "Icebreaker."

    What a coincidence. Just finished DMC too. I don't consider it as a Bond novel even. It's a Bond parody, a pastiche.

    Anyway, I've finished half of Death Is Forever. Another of intricately plotted ones along with The Man From Barbarossa. Gardner decided to take on Len Deighton or Robert Ludlum in here rather than Ian Fleming. Liked it, so far.

    Since you mentioned Len Deighton, I was wondering if anyone has read the Harry Palmer novels (The Ipcress File, Funeral in Belin, Billion Dollar Brain). I remember seeing the Michael Caine films when with my parents when I was a child but I was too young to appreciate the films at tht time. I saw "The Ipcress File" for the second time on VHS about 20 years ago. At any rate, let me know if Deighton is worth a read.

    I did read all of the Unnamed Spy novels, but unfortunately I only own four Deightons (IPCRESS and the first Bernard Samson trilogy). I do reccomend it @DB5. The writing style is somewhat an amalgamation of Le Carre and Fleming.

    Finished DIF anyway, so I'll probably give the worsts of the lists another read to see if they really deserve my hatred. Starting with Dr. No. Fleming's worst, IMO.

    That's interesting, I actually enjoyed Dr. No. I didn't care much for Moonraker. I read Gardner's Nobody Lives Forever and hated it. Thanks for your advice on Deighton, I think I'll see if I can get a copy of The Ipcress File from the library.

  • KronsteenKronsteen Stockholm
    edited September 2012 Posts: 783
    Continuing my Gardner re-read with Death is Forever. 1/3 in and so far it's a surprisingly great read! I'm really loving the setting and the vibes it gives me. So fantastically Cold War-esque... I hope the rest of the novel continues in the same vein (although it wouldn't surprise me if it doesn't... :P).
  • SaintMarkSaintMark
    Posts: 7,653
    Casino Royale
  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    Posts: 13,355
    I've read the first 16 chapters of Moonraker in a couple of days. Hopefully, I'll finish it tomorrow.
  • JWESTBROOKJWESTBROOK
    Posts: 5,745
    Samuel001 wrote:
    I've read the first 16 chapters of Moonraker in a couple of days. Hopefully, I'll finish it tomorrow.

    My favorite installment. Enjoy :)
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    JWESTBROOK wrote:
    Samuel001 wrote:
    I've read the first 16 chapters of Moonraker in a couple of days. Hopefully, I'll finish it tomorrow.

    My favorite installment. Enjoy :)

    How many have you read?
  • JWESTBROOKJWESTBROOK
    Posts: 5,745
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    JWESTBROOK wrote:
    Samuel001 wrote:
    I've read the first 16 chapters of Moonraker in a couple of days. Hopefully, I'll finish it tomorrow.

    My favorite installment. Enjoy :)

    How many have you read?

    Well.. three. >:P So far my favorite.
  • DB5DB5
    Posts: 408
    Well after getting a little more than half way through I gave up on Gardner's "Icebreaker." No more Gardner Bonds for me, and I hear that Benson isn't any better. I actually enjoyed Amis' "Colonel Sun and Deaver's Bond in "Carte Blanche," while not Fleming's Bond, was at least a believable character in a believable story. Decided to try Len Deighton, currently reading "The IPCRESS file."
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    DB5 wrote:
    Well after getting a little more than half way through I gave up on Gardner's "Icebreaker." No more Gardner Bonds for me, and I hear that Benson isn't any better. I actually enjoyed Amis' "Colonel Sun and Deaver's Bond in "Carte Blanche," while not Fleming's Bond, was at least a believable character in a believable story. Decided to try Len Deighton, currently reading "The IPCRESS file."


    Is that your first stab at Gardner? If so dont give up on John as Icebreaker is one of his weakest efforts.

    Get hold of Nobody Lives Forever, Licence Renewed or Win Lose or Die and you will have some great fun. Not Fleming admittedly but light years ahead of the likes of Benson and the DAD of the literary Bond, Devil May Care.
  • Lancaster007Lancaster007 Shrublands Health Clinic, England
    Posts: 1,874
    DB5 wrote:
    Well after getting a little more than half way through I gave up on Gardner's "Icebreaker." No more Gardner Bonds for me, and I hear that Benson isn't any better. I actually enjoyed Amis' "Colonel Sun and Deaver's Bond in "Carte Blanche," while not Fleming's Bond, was at least a believable character in a believable story. Decided to try Len Deighton, currently reading "The IPCRESS file."

    I read Gardner's first two, Licence Renewed and For Special Services when originally published in paperback and swore I'd never read anymore. Recently I noticed that the Gardner's were re-released (nice covers) and bought the novelisation of Licence To Kill. My opinion of his novels haven't changed. I don't know if I'd call them awful but I just don't like them, LTK had some very odd dialogue for Bond and some information wasn't so much spoon fed as shoved down ones throat. And we were expected to believe that Felix suffered a second shark attack. Actually, yes bloody awful.
  • KronsteenKronsteen Stockholm
    Posts: 783
    Wow... there's a lot of Gardner bashing around here. I must admit that I very much love Gardners work - well most of it anyway. I'll admit that LTK is a pretty awful book, and for some reason I never grew fond of NLF, NDMB or Cold. But the rest I really like. Licence Renewed is a very enjoyable Bond story and for some reason I tend to be drawn towards his later work. Win, Lose or Die, Brokenclaw and Death is Forever are great novels in my opinion. I just can't really understand the hate for these books - books that I like so much. I'll admit that this isn't 100% Flemings Bond, but I can't see how it ever could be. I like Gardners take on the character and what he's done to the Bond universe... some changes that might not have been necessary, but they still work. And I find most of his novels highly enteratining (and re-readable).

    More praise for Gardner! Anybody with me... anybody?
  • Lancaster007Lancaster007 Shrublands Health Clinic, England
    Posts: 1,874
    Kronsteen wrote:
    More praise for Gardner! Anybody with me... anybody?

    Mmm, nah.
    The trouble I find with Gardner's books - those that I've read is that he seems to be trying to please the fans of the books and the fans of the films, and this just doesn't work for me. To start he would be near pensionable age and then he has a dalliance with Felix's daughter, yuk, and we Q'ute (wtf). I have also read DMC, which I actually quite liked, even though it is more of a pastiche than a proper Bond novel, and Carté Blanche, which I though was okay but definitely not Bond. For me ONLY Fleming's novels are Bond.

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