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All these touches do is anger me more, that they will likely never make it into the films. Now, from Skyfall onwards, with Craig, it seems like the perfect time to put them in.
I'm so happy to hear that! I though the same when I read it. CR is just a brilliant novel all around. And it isn't just a fantasy spy novel, it gets you thinking. Like the beautifully written Good v.s. Evil passage near the end. And seeing Bond get mentally and physically broken to the point where he considers resigning is powerful. Definitely one of the best books I've ever read.
Oh no. I read it in 09 or thereabouts and didn't think much was bad about it. That was until I got to know Bond better and read the Fleming novels. It lacks the Fleming appeal, but I will reread it to see what all the negative fuss was about.
About 20 years ago I started with Fleming in german. Gardner's novelization of Goldeneye introduced me to him. But the german editions were sold out and the internet just starting. It took me a couple of years to collect and read all of Gardner's books. The novels by Benson, Faulks and Deaver I bought directly on the net. Benson was Ok, Faulks not my type and Deaver reminded me too much of his other novels.
The early Gardner novels I liked best.
Perhaps I should restart and read all the novels in chronological order.
LALD wasn't too good IMO. I haven't read DN though.
You don't need to read them chronologically, though the Strangways and Quarrel story arcs have far more impact if you read them in order. I think both are good reads and LALD is far superior to it's cinematic counterpart and in fact bares little resemblance to it (there is as much of the original story in the cinematic LTK as there is in LALD). Though be warned Fleming's attempt at 'hip' negro speach is just awfull (and was hilariously parodied in the J*mes B*nd novel Alligator). DN is the better of the two books and is very similar to the screen version, though IMO the book is far superior...and not just because Honey is completley naked when she first meets Bond on the beach. :)
Anyway regardless of which one you choose I'm sure you'll enjoy the read!
I'm still on my everlasting journey through LALD, but today I got through over half the book on a long car ride.
I have to say, I'm loving the train ride with Solitaire. I feel as though CR's train scene with Vesper took many ques from this part of the book. Their dialogue, and later their passion for each other is enjoyable, and easily visual for the reader. Fleming's writing and description is uncanny.
I'm really beginning to enjoy it, lets see how it ends up.
Side note: I think 'The Silver Phantom' , 'Allumeuse' , and 'Valley of Shadows' would be brilliant future film titles.
I also enjoyed Mr. Big's quote: "Those who deserve to die -- die the death they deserve."
I agree. I just read MR again--coincidentally, the day before the North Korean failed missile launch into the sea!--and was amazed at how great it was, and how *little* of it made its way into the film (other than Drax's name and one line about bridge).
Yes, I know GE and DAD have borrowed from Drax's scheme but I think a straightforward adaptation of MR (updating the technology, of course) would be fascinating with Craig.
What did you think of LALD?
How many times does Mathis appear in the novels? I'm almost finished with MR but have sadly only seen him in CR.
Colonel Sun (in french)
The Wood Novelizations (in french)
Pearson's Biography (in English)
All the Gardners (in English)
All the Pearsons (in English)
Devil May Care (in English)
Carte Blanche (in English)
The Moneypenny Diaries (in English)
Mascott's James Bon Jr. (in French)
No Young Bond yet, though.
In Fleming's books he only appears in CR and FRWL but he's name checked in OHMSS and turns up again in some of the continuation novels including Raymond Benson's (spit!) 'Never Dream Of Dying' and Sebastian Faulks ''Devil May care' (though none of John Gardner's).
Only CR and FRWL in person! WHAAAAA?! More of a reason why I think FRWL will be another big favorite of mine. Damn...
I believe he gets mentioned in one of the short stories in FYEO as well, the one where Bond meanders over his Paris time.
Read the first two Gardner novels but didn't like them so gave up! Don't thing I've missed anything. Also read - Devil May Care and Carte Blanche, looking forward to Boyd's effort.
Really, an apart from Diamonds Are Forever or Goldfinger are fine. Those two are often considered the weakest of the Fleming novels.
Oh and buy a novel, not one or both of the short story collections.
I am not sure if they had CR.
Why not one of the short stories?