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MI6 Community Novel Bondathon - Reborn!

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  • RevelatorRevelator
    Posts: 2,918
    "Maybe you'd care to take that girl along? Hell, she's the one that rates the medals! ...I swear I'll never call a girl 'frail' again--not an Italian girl anyway."
    Poor Rik Van Nutter was never given dialogue like that!

    Sluggsy and Horror definitely win the "Pure Scum" competition among Bond villains. They make Scaramanga and The Robber look classy.
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,473
    Finished Part One (the first 7 chapters) of Moonraker. That game of bridge was so intense!! Drax is a real character - so different from the film version. Also I love M’s character/interactions with Bond. Another awesome start!
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,473
    Already done with Moonraker. I flew right through it - just couldn’t put it down. The suspense and thrills of this one were unmatched! Basically everything was perfect. Superior to the film MR in every way (why hasn’t this story been faithfully adapted yet?!?!). Drax was a terrific villain (in some ways reminded me of a more menacing and interesting Gustav Graves). These first 3 novels have been so much fun to read! The MR novel may be the best piece of any kind of Bond entertainment I’ve come across.

    Novel Ranking:
    1. Moonraker
    2. Live and Let Die
    3. Casino Royale
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    edited March 2019 Posts: 40,976
    That's how it was for me, it's tough to put MR down because of how amazing it is. It gets better and better with each page, I can't say I have any major complaints about it whatsoever. I think DAF is killer stuff too, nearly as good as the initial three, in my opinion.

    As for me, I still didn't care for the opening few chapters at all (her backstory and tales did get a bit better as they went along, though), but after the arrival of Sol and Sluggsy, TSWLM took off at 100 MPH and I couldn't put it down, terrific stuff there. Won't go too far into details so I don't ruin things for those that are still reading along for the first time as well, but that finale was fresh, exciting and explosive.

    Two random things: I noticed a typo (one of the only ones I think I've caught this whole series) in the final pages, and something else: Fleming's a military man, so it surprises me when I see him flip flop back and forth between the usage of the word "clip" and "magazine" in regards to Bond's pistol. He uses "clip" in DN, seems to move away from it and call it a "magazine" in later novels (which is what it would be called, in the case of a Walther PPK - a "clip" is the incorrect term here), then calls it a clip yet again in this novel. I wondered if he didn't do it on purpose this time around because it's from the unexperienced point of view of Viv. Who knows though, just a minor thing I noticed.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    edited March 2019 Posts: 40,976
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Glad it picked up for you. And the adventure Bond references could easily be the PTS in a future adaptation.

    I had the same thought - whether connected to the rest of the film or an entirely separate incident (like film GF's opening, which I believe is also mentioned in a flashback in the novel), it would make for a great, frenetic little PTS.

    Already up to chapter three in OHMSS and I'm loving it.
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,473
    10 chapters into Diamonds Are Forever. Though MR was basically flawless (and still my favorite), I did miss Felix - one of my favorite characters. Glad to have him back. Tiffany is more interesting here than in the movie, especially with the tragic backstory. I like most of it so far, though I am finding it a little slower than the first 3. Overall though pretty good.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    Yeah I really don't have many complaints with DAF the more and more I think about it. The back half is stronger, I would say, but I enjoy it all for the most part.

    As for TSWLM, I might immediately re-read it when we're through with all of these, go through those initial chapters in one sitting and see if the beginning sits better with me, because I haven't been able to get the rest of the book out of my head since, it's so good.
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,473
    Finished up DAF. Another very good read! Some of the first half/middle was a bit slow, but I particularly enjoyed Chapter 17 (‘Thanks for the Ride’) through the end. Wint and Kidd were my favorites of all the baddies in the novel - the same goes for the film. Much preferred the novel over the film - stronger in every way. I have to say I do prefer the first 3 books, but that’s more of a testament to just how good those were - not insulting DAF, because it was still quite enjoyable.

    Novel Ranking:
    1. Moonraker
    2. Live and Let Die
    3. Casino Royale
    4. Diamonds Are Forever
  • Agent_99Agent_99 enjoys a spirited ride as much as the next girl
    Posts: 3,176
    Drive-by TB thought: if Bond's never eaten a woman before, maybe he's not the expert lover everyone thinks he is.

    (sorry, I'll go away again)
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    Wint and Kidd are another Fleming item that seem just as fantastic on the page as they do on the screen. The novel is definitely leagues better than the film, in my opinion, and that's essentially how my thoughts are summed up with it: DAF is great, but it ranks below the initial three simply because they're so damn good. To this day, I'm still not sure how to rank CR/MR/LALD, they're so close in appreciation and I love them all. I guess I'd go:

    1. CR
    2. MR
    3. LALD
  • RevelatorRevelator
    Posts: 2,918
    Agent_99 wrote: »
    Drive-by TB thought: if Bond's never eaten a woman before, maybe he's not the expert lover everyone thinks he is.

    At least movie Bond is a cunning linguist.

  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,473
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Glad you’re having such a good time with them. You have another great one coming up.

    Thank you! It’s definitely been an awesome trip so far, and I expect it to stay that way!
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    Wint and Kidd are another Fleming item that seem just as fantastic on the page as they do on the screen. The novel is definitely leagues better than the film, in my opinion, and that's essentially how my thoughts are summed up with it: DAF is great, but it ranks below the initial three simply because they're so damn good. To this day, I'm still not sure how to rank CR/MR/LALD, they're so close in appreciation and I love them all. I guess I'd go:

    1. CR
    2. MR
    3. LALD

    Ranking the first 3 is pretty tough! I love them all too. I’m pretty excited to keep on going!
  • PropertyOfALadyPropertyOfALady Colders Federation CEO
    Posts: 3,675
    I finally finished Thunderball last night. Now on to Rosamund Pike and The Spy Who Loved Me.
  • PropertyOfALadyPropertyOfALady Colders Federation CEO
    Posts: 3,675
    No, sorry. She reads the audiobook.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    You do love those audiobooks. I've never even tried one, don't think I could get through it.
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,473
    The one film actor I’ve pictured every time for a character is Bernard Lee’s M. The Bond in my mind is a little like Connery and Dalton - but also somewhat unique.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    FoxRox wrote: »
    The one film actor I’ve pictured every time for a character is Bernard Lee’s M. The Bond in my mind is a little like Connery and Dalton - but also somewhat unique.

    That's a good way of looking at it, and yes, I absolutely cannot shake Lee as M with every book - not that that's a bad thing. The mental image I have of book Bond is wholly unique to me, too: a very small dash of Connery, and the rest of him has an entirely different look and attitude.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,281
    Agent_99 wrote: »
    Drive-by TB thought: if Bond's never eaten a woman before, maybe he's not the expert lover everyone thinks he is.

    (sorry, I'll go away again)

    But I find women taste like chicken.
  • RevelatorRevelator
    edited March 2019 Posts: 2,918
    Interestingly, the inspiration for M--Admiral Sir John Godfrey--bore some resemblance to Lee:

    large_000000.jpg?_ga=2.120343880.1102292212.1553198488-384923386.1553198488

    latest?cb=20120815170305


    Dragonpol wrote: »
    But I find women taste like chicken.

    You're thinking of alligators. Humans taste like pork.
  • DoctorNoDoctorNo USA-Maryland
    Posts: 755
    Count me also for always imagining Bernard Lee. I also always think of Lois Maxwell as Moneypenny.

    My Bond goes between Connery and my own imagined (kind of faceless) one.

    Felix is always my own hawk-nosed creation... though I kind of imagine him to look like Prof Dent actor from Dr. No oddly enough. Must be the nose.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited March 2019 Posts: 18,281
    Revelator wrote: »
    Interestingly, the inspiration for M--Admiral Sir John Godfrey--bore some resemblance to Lee:

    large_000000.jpg?_ga=2.120343880.1102292212.1553198488-384923386.1553198488

    latest?cb=20120815170305


    Dragonpol wrote: »
    But I find women taste like chicken.

    You're thinking of alligators. Humans taste like pork.

    No doubt correct. I suppose that only cannibals were able to divulge that information to us? The mind boggles!
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    Revelator wrote: »
    Interestingly, the inspiration for M--Admiral Sir John Godfrey--bore some resemblance to Lee:

    large_000000.jpg?_ga=2.120343880.1102292212.1553198488-384923386.1553198488

    latest?cb=20120815170305


    Dragonpol wrote: »
    But I find women taste like chicken.

    You're thinking of alligators. Humans taste like pork.

    No doubt correct. I suppose that only cannibals were able to divulge that information to us?

    @Thunderfinger has answered in the affirmative, though he said after it's been deep fried, everything tastes like chicken.
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,473
    Read the first ten chapters / Part One of From Russia with Love. The villains and plot are excellently set up, and I’m finding the villains to be some of the most interesting yet in Fleming’s novels - particularly Grant and Kronsteen. Interesting to see the machine is called a “Spektor” in this novel, and also how we got “Spectreville” in DAF - all before the SPECTRE organization will arrive down the road. Fleming must have really liked that term!

    I’m very interested to continue and get Bond involved. Seems like from what I’ve read so far that the film FRWL must be one of the more faithful adaptations of the novels. Of the first 4 books, CR was the one that stood out most to me as having gotten a faithful film adaptation. A few bits of LALD and DAF. Nothing really from MR.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    FoxRox wrote: »
    Read the first ten chapters / Part One of From Russia with Love. The villains and plot are excellently set up, and I’m finding the villains to be some of the most interesting yet in Fleming’s novels - particularly Grant and Kronsteen. Interesting to see the machine is called a “Spektor” in this novel, and also how we got “Spectreville” in DAF - all before the SPECTRE organization will arrive down the road. Fleming must have really liked that term!

    I’m very interested to continue and get Bond involved. Seems like from what I’ve read so far that the film FRWL must be one of the more faithful adaptations of the novels. Of the first 4 books, CR was the one that stood out most to me as having gotten a faithful film adaptation. A few bits of LALD and DAF. Nothing really from MR.

    Did you also enjoy the fact that Bond doesn't appear for the first 90-100 pages? I loved that full deep dive and set up to Grant, his backstory, how he got where he is today, etc. What a fantastic novel it is.
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,473
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    FoxRox wrote: »
    Read the first ten chapters / Part One of From Russia with Love. The villains and plot are excellently set up, and I’m finding the villains to be some of the most interesting yet in Fleming’s novels - particularly Grant and Kronsteen. Interesting to see the machine is called a “Spektor” in this novel, and also how we got “Spectreville” in DAF - all before the SPECTRE organization will arrive down the road. Fleming must have really liked that term!

    I’m very interested to continue and get Bond involved. Seems like from what I’ve read so far that the film FRWL must be one of the more faithful adaptations of the novels. Of the first 4 books, CR was the one that stood out most to me as having gotten a faithful film adaptation. A few bits of LALD and DAF. Nothing really from MR.

    Did you also enjoy the fact that Bond doesn't appear for the first 90-100 pages? I loved that full deep dive and set up to Grant, his backstory, how he got where he is today, etc. What a fantastic novel it is.

    Honestly I did love that aspect of it. I was a little skeptical of if the idea of keeping Bond out of it so long would pay off, but I think it was a good call! This way the villains, particularly Grant, are given maximum depth. Grant really seems like a nasty one - even scarier than the film version which was still terrific. So far, I’d go as far as to say the novel has some of Fleming’s best writing yet. I’m very much inside the story when I read.
  • Agent_99Agent_99 enjoys a spirited ride as much as the next girl
    Posts: 3,176
    Revelator wrote: »
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    But I find women taste like chicken.

    You're thinking of alligators. Humans taste like pork.

    Unless they're Russian programmers. Then they taste like strawberries.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,281
    Agent_99 wrote: »
    Revelator wrote: »
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    But I find women taste like chicken.

    You're thinking of alligators. Humans taste like pork.

    Unless they're Russian programmers. Then they taste like strawberries.

    With some added cream.
  • PropertyOfALadyPropertyOfALady Colders Federation CEO
    Posts: 3,675
    Agent_99 wrote: »
    Revelator wrote: »
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    But I find women taste like chicken.

    You're thinking of alligators. Humans taste like pork.

    Unless they're Russian programmers. Then they taste like strawberries.

    I'm sorry, and I know it's off topic, but I can't resist.

  • PropertyOfALadyPropertyOfALady Colders Federation CEO
    Posts: 3,675
    Viv's favorite song. Well, maybe not.
  • Agent_99Agent_99 enjoys a spirited ride as much as the next girl
    Posts: 3,176
    PropertyOfALady wrote: »
    I'm sorry, and I know it's off topic, but I can't resist.

    No, no, I needed to see that. And I'm sure I speak for everyone here.
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