It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
^ Back to Top
The MI6 Community is unofficial and in no way associated or linked with EON Productions, MGM, Sony Pictures, Activision or Ian Fleming Publications. Any views expressed on this website are of the individual members and do not necessarily reflect those of the Community owners. Any video or images displayed in topics on MI6 Community are embedded by users from third party sites and as such MI6 Community and its owners take no responsibility for this material.
James Bond News • James Bond Articles • James Bond Magazine
Comments
This is truly a great book and I jump to this conclusion after about 45 pages. Ever Bond fan must read it.
Only one small complaint: it's loaded on typing errors.
And let me say that the lack of good editing is appalling these days, it really is.
True, though I wouldn't not read the book because of it. It's too much of a delight contentwise. ;-)
I just get irked often because everywhere you can find either no editing or appalling, sloppy editing. In online newspaper and magazines often and also in printed books at times. I think it is more prevalent now.
A personal example that still bugs me: My friend had a small book published about her experiences in the Middle East as 9/11 was happening. She had riveting encounters and I was happy she wrote it. (She is a wonderful person, by the way, and I am keeping her anonymous in this example.) It was published by a (I am guessing) small publishing firm, so I think there was supposed to be some editor checking her work ... I could be mistaken. It was not just online publishing. On one of the early pages, when she talks about looking in the mirror and wondering how everything has come crashing down on her and she finds herself in a dangerous situation, her wording was something like: "... wondering how I found myself in this foul situation." But her spelling was 'fowl.' Yes, like a turkey or chicken. It ruined every part of that moment. Sigh ... I do not know how she herself missed that one, let alone if anyone was backing her up by doing any proofing or editing.
Actually, @Samuel001, it does. For instance, I had no idea about all those drafts of the script before they shot the film. Learning what kind of ideas Maibaum had for the film, is quite exciting. This is merely one example. And remember I'm only a couple of pages in. :-)
The amazing thing is that the English Hardcover was cheaper than the English paperback or Ducth translation.
I thought you said 45? ;)
Honestly, that's great to know as that and the book on The Living Daylights are more than likely to be bought for my birthday. It's good to know they get a thumbs up.
Re: Helfenstein - did he only write that one? I need to know which "making of" Bond books are the ones most recommended ... if anyone can get me a short list, I'd appreciate it.
Any other authors people recommend for specific "making of " Bond films, please just let me know.
I have this book myself and I really must get round to reading it.
I will, I am currently halfway through the book. Like Ludlum a huge pagecount.
Yeah, but it's a 300 page book so 45 is only a couple pages in for me. ;-)
True, @4EverBonded. Just those two. And I believe that he's said he would never do another one. Sadly.
I AM PILGRIM left me with the feeling that Ludlum used to give me when he still lived and wrote, great thrillers that leave you wanting more and more. While he is remembered for his Jason Bourne the man wrote a shedload of great thriller novels all in a same genre as terry Hayes has done with "I am Pilgrim".
I do hope that mr. Hayes next Pilgrim book is as good as his first, as the second novel often shows you if the writer has longevity. I do hope so.
No spoilers here because you are still reading it and others have not read it. But just to say that I agree that the writing is exciting and well done, for me far better than most on the market these days. It really was the quality of writing, almost lyrical at times and made you feel that you were right there, and with a decent story line that built suspense, that made I Am Pilgrim so outstanding for me. I read some Ludlum when I was much younger, and I'd like to revisit some of his later this year.
A lot of people remember Ludlum mostly for his Jason Bourne when he has written so many great thrillers.
The Helfenstein books are brilliant. Absolute 'musts' for genuine fans. There are only so many hardbacks featuring a regurgitation of the film plot and breakdown of the gadgets that one can stomach.
This is a small quote from an interview with Hayes (I posted the link a couple of pages back): Next is a book called “The Year of the Locust” – a REALLY intense thriller. Then I have the outlines for the next two Pilgrim books already done – I did them long before I finished this one so that I knew where I was going. That will complete his epic journey – a sort of Lord of the Rings of the espionage/ thriller genre! At least in its scope, if not in my abilities!
"REALLY intense thriller" sounds good to me for the next one. Thrilled about the continuation plans for Pilgrim, too. :)
OK, and here is a link to an interview with Terry Hayes about I Am Pilgrim, last October. I honestly have not had the time to listen to it yet, but I thought I'd share it with you all now:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01b7431/profiles/i-am-pilgrim
I've always wanted to read it though I found it to be a little more expensive than my usual books and it's not top priority (I have to buy many books on Statistics for my dessertation). Perhaps later, if the price lowers a little.
That's why I'm taking them slow @NicNac, because I don't want to run into the problem of finishing before the next book is out.
I just finished reading The Beekeeper's Apprentice, by Laurie R. King. It's the first in the Mary Russell series. I devoured it, had no idea it was this good. It's a pastiche on Sherlock Holmes but not the usual kind, King obviously knows the canon but is able to offer something completely new. My only complaint is the way Watson is treated, huge heart and little brain. It should be needless to say that before I actually finished the book I already had the second one ready, A Monstrous Regiment of Women. Somehow, and in a very odd way, this second book seems to be even superior to the first one. I wish Bond had such a continuation author, respecting the material while doing something fresh and new.
At his current pace 2016 could be more likely but it'll be here before you know, like everything always is.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spy-Among-Friends-Philby-Betrayal/dp/1408851725/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394550727&sr=8-1&keywords=Ben+MacIntyre
I often found myself asking if this was even the same John Stratton from The Hostage & The Hijack. The dialogue between Stratton and Josh felt out of place. That said, I liked how Stratton turned the tables on his would-be killers at the flats.
The 'Stratton' Series
1. The Hijack (2004)
2. The Hostage (2003)
3. The Operative (2006)
Next: Undersea Prison
Oh, thanks, @007InVT ! I didn't know. I have read all of his now and will order this one soon. Cheers!
And @Birdleson, do you like it? Is it really interesting? I enjoy biographies, don't mind them being long, but only if well written and you can get a real feeling for the person as you are reading it.