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Which Bond novel are you currently reading?

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  • CommanderRossCommanderRoss The bottom of a pitch lake in Eastern Trinidad, place called La Brea
    Posts: 8,328
    Agent_47 wrote: »
    Currently reading You Only Live Twice, about at the halfway point. It's been a slow but ultimately enjoyable ride, Bond's interaction with Tiger and Henderson are the highlight so far. Reading the book again only makes me wish they had given Charles Grey more time to play alongside Connery.

    Still have to say... I can only picture Connery when reading the novels, nobody else.

    I've always loved the Henderson from the novel. A character I hope will one day be used in a film.
  • ThunderballThunderball playing Chemin de Fer in a casino, downing Vespers
    edited March 2020 Posts: 815
    Just finished Forever and a Day and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sixtine is one hell of a character and she was the best thing about the novel. I already bought Trigger Mortis on my iPad some time ago and soon I’ll get to it but for now I want to read another Fleming novel. It’s inexcusable that I’ve only read three. I’d have read more but his Bond books appear to be out of print in physical bookstores here in the States. I guess Amazon has the rights now. Even on my books app on my iPad they are extremely scarce. I do have The Blofeld Trilogy on there, a book made up of TB, OHMSS and YOLT which is probably where I’m going next, first reading TB for a second time(it was my first Fleming novel, back in 2006). I’m looking forward to it.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 13,904
    Good to hear your comments, @Thunderball, for print versions of the Fleming books you should try the inter-library loan service. You might even find some reprinted editions similar to the original Cape versions.

  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,692
    Thunderball wrote: »
    Just finished Forever and a Day and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sixtine is one hell of a character and she was the best thing about the novel. I already bought Trigger Mortis on my iPad some time ago and soon I’ll get to it but for now I want to read another Fleming novel. It’s inexcusable that I’ve only read three. I’d have read more but his Bond books appear to be out of print in physical bookstores here in the States. I guess Amazon has the rights now. Even on my books app on my iPad they are extremely scarce. I do have The Blofeld Trilogy on there, a book made up of TB, OHMSS and YOLT which is probably where I’m going next, first reading TB for a second time(it was my first Fleming novel, back in 2006). I’m looking forward to it.

    I still think that a adaptation of Forever and a Day is the best way to go for the next 007’s introduction film.
  • ThunderballThunderball playing Chemin de Fer in a casino, downing Vespers
    Posts: 815
    I'm currently (finally) reading
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  • Agent_47Agent_47 Canada
    Posts: 330
    Any Benson/Gardner recommendations? Looking for something post fleming that I actually own.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 13,904
    @Agent_47 I recommend trying the first three or four John Gardner novels. They're obviously not Fleming and are more minor missions. I've enjoyed them over the years as a good read during travel.

    54a9002c24dc0a77cce03e2726a088447816aeb0.png


  • Agent_47Agent_47 Canada
    Posts: 330
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Agent_47 wrote: »
    Any Benson/Gardner recommendations? Looking for something post fleming that I actually own.

    Sorry, but I find them both to be quite horrible writers, particularly Benson. If you gave either of the Wood adaptations you’re in luck.

    That's a shame, I did enjoy Zero Minus Ten (Benson) and Icebreaker (Gardner) They are certainly not Fleming but still enjoyable adventures. I've yet to read any of their other continuation novels though.

    I've heard great things about Christopher Wood's novelization of TSWLM, it's on my shortlist of Bond novels to pick up next. How was his Moonraker adaptation? I've yet to hear much about that one.
  • Agent_47Agent_47 Canada
    Posts: 330
    RichardTheBruce wrote: »
    @Agent_47 I recommend trying the first three or four John Gardner novels. They're obviously not Fleming and are more minor missions. I've enjoyed them over the years as a good read during travel.

    54a9002c24dc0a77cce03e2726a088447816aeb0.png


    I've only read Icebreaker and thought it was fantastic. Out of the 3 non Fleming books I have read so far I'd say it's my favourite of the bunch.

    Which would you say is the best of Gardner's first four? I'm not really a stickler for continuity so I can pick up whichever.
  • Agent_47Agent_47 Canada
    Posts: 330
    Birdleson wrote: »
    I’d also recommend William Boyd’s SOLO. I posted a short review of it best the top of this page. I know some find it dull, but I enjoy his writing, and it feels like Fleming’s Bond.

    It's also on my shortlist, I don't know much about it other than it seems to be a somewhat polarizing novel. Some love it and some hate it.

    I'm looking to get...
    1. SOLO
    2. The Spy Who Loved Me novelization
    3. Tomorrow Never Dies novelization
    4. Die Another Day novelization
    5. Shoot To Kill

    Looking to get all of these at some point this year.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,692
    Agent_47 wrote: »
    Birdleson wrote: »
    I’d also recommend William Boyd’s SOLO. I posted a short review of it best the top of this page. I know some find it dull, but I enjoy his writing, and it feels like Fleming’s Bond.

    It's also on my shortlist, I don't know much about it other than it seems to be a somewhat polarizing novel. Some love it and some hate it.

    I'm looking to get...
    1. SOLO
    2. The Spy Who Loved Me novelization
    3. Tomorrow Never Dies novelization
    4. Die Another Day novelization
    5. Shoot To Kill

    Looking to get all of these at some point this year.

    The TND novelization is better than the movie. It provides backstories, that could have helped the film better. Raymond Benson said it was his best.
  • petergreenhill5petergreenhill5
    Posts: 824
    I've just started The Moneypenny Diaries :Guardian Angel by Samantha Weinberg on audio, read by Eleanor Bron and very good it is too. Well written and researched and beautifully read by Bron.
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    Posts: 17,814
    For Your Eyes Only.
    Soon finished reading FYEO for the first time. It's interesting to read these shorter stories. Bond works just as well in a format like this.
  • Risico007Risico007
    Posts: 9,855
    Death is forever I just finished the comic book story Black Box which I found wildly entertaining I swear I wish more people talked about the comic books
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,589
    Risico007 wrote: »
    Death is forever I just finished the comic book story Black Box which I found wildly entertaining I swear I wish more people talked about the comic books

    Loved the comics as well, for the most part! I'll have to revisit them soon.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,692
    NickTwentyTwo wrote: »
    Risico007 wrote: »
    Death is forever I just finished the comic book story Black Box which I found wildly entertaining I swear I wish more people talked about the comic books

    Loved the comics as well, for the most part! I'll have to revisit them soon.

    I greatly enjoy the comics as well! I have a few suggestions for continued reading.
  • CommanderRossCommanderRoss The bottom of a pitch lake in Eastern Trinidad, place called La Brea
    Posts: 8,328
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    For Your Eyes Only.
    Soon finished reading FYEO for the first time. It's interesting to read these shorter stories. Bond works just as well in a format like this.

    Personally I find the short stories even better. Especially with a view to a kill and the Hildebrand rarity.
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,589
    CommanderRoss wrote: »
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    For Your Eyes Only.
    Soon finished reading FYEO for the first time. It's interesting to read these shorter stories. Bond works just as well in a format like this.

    Personally I find the short stories even better. Especially with a view to a kill and the Hildebrand rarity.

    I think about Octopussy (short story) all the time. There's something about it that I just love, it seems very unassuming to me, a lot of internal stuff with Bond. I'd love to see a short film that just takes it straight from the page.
  • Jordo007Jordo007 Merseyside
    edited March 2020 Posts: 2,641
    I just started reading Moonrker again last week I think after rereading it, it's now my favourite Bond novel. It's fantastic, it's got great pace, it's show's us some real depth into Bond as a character and the suspense in it is masterfully written. That card game with Drax has got to be a highlight for me
  • Jordo007Jordo007 Merseyside
    Posts: 2,641
    Birdleson wrote: »
    It is the consummate Bond novel.

    Completely agree, I haven't been able to put it down this past week especially with there being no Football on
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    Posts: 17,814
    CommanderRoss wrote: »
    Torgeirtrap wrote: »
    For Your Eyes Only.
    Soon finished reading FYEO for the first time. It's interesting to read these shorter stories. Bond works just as well in a format like this.

    Personally I find the short stories even better. Especially with a view to a kill and the Hildebrand rarity.

    I can definitely see why, @CommanderRoss! With A View To A Kill was particularly great, and I've just started reading The Hildebrand Rarity.
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Another request to log your reads onto the 2029 Bond Novel meter.

    Will do, @Birdleson :-)
  • ThunderballThunderball playing Chemin de Fer in a casino, downing Vespers
    Posts: 815
    I really wish there were a section or something in Reviews in Fan Creations for the Fleming novels. Anyway. I finished On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and absolutely loved it, definitely my favorite of the four Fleming books I have read so far. I’m going to start reading You Only Live Twice tomorrow, looking forward to it, I’ve heard many great things about it.
  • bondbat007bondbat007
    Posts: 1,407
    Just finished Forever And a Day. Enjoyable for sure. Next up is Solo for me
  • SharkySharky
    Posts: 266
    I've just finished Trigger Mortis, I thought it was great. My favourite of the new continuation novels I've read so far. Loved it all but especially the Murder On Wheels chapter.

    I haven't read Forever And A Day yet, i'm going to start that soon and see how it measures up.
  • ThunderballThunderball playing Chemin de Fer in a casino, downing Vespers
    Posts: 815
    I've read Forever And A Day and loved it. Looking forward to reading Trigger Mortis, which I will get to at some point, right now my hands are full with reading some Fleming books for the first time. I just started You Only Live Twice.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 13,904
    Agent_47 wrote: »
    RichardTheBruce wrote: »
    @Agent_47 I recommend trying the first three or four John Gardner novels. They're obviously not Fleming and are more minor missions. I've enjoyed them over the years as a good read during travel.
    54a9002c24dc0a77cce03e2726a088447816aeb0.png
    I've only read Icebreaker and thought it was fantastic. Out of the 3 non Fleming books I have read so far I'd say it's my favourite of the bunch.

    Which would you say is the best of Gardner's first four? I'm not really a stickler for continuity so I can pick up whichever.

    Catching up, I'd still say start with Licence Renewed, @Agent_47. It's a careful, professional approach by Gardner to reestablish Bond.

    Here's how Raymond Benson describes things in his The James Bond Bedside Companion.
    THE JOHN GARDNER BOOKS

    The summer of 1981 was significant for James Bond
    fans: the first in a new series of novels was published.
    British mystery writer John Gardner was approached
    by Glidrose to resurrect Bond from literary limbo, and
    the result was LICENCE RENEWED. This was followed by
    FOR SPECIAL SERVICES (1982), and ICEBREAKER (1983).
    Gardner has since been signed to write additional 007
    books.

    The books are controversial among Bond fans
    in that they make many changes in Bond's world.
    Gardner's writing style is dissimilar to Fleming's, and
    Gardner/Glidrose have elected to update Bond's en-
    vironment; basically, the character has been picked up
    and placed unchanged in the eighties. This change
    may be disconcerting to some fans who desire a con-
    tinuity with the Fleming series. In 1981, the "real"
    James Bond would be in his late fifties; the Bond of
    the Gardner novels is still fairly young--perhaps in his
    forties (there is a little grey showing in his black hair).
    Another striking stylistic element of the books is that
    they resemble the film scripts more than the original
    Fleming novels. Gadgets abound in the books, and
    LICENCE RENEWED especially borrows ingredients from
    the film versions of GOLDFINGER, THUNDERBALL, and
    ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE. But despite these
    disconcerting changes, all three Gardner efforts are fast
    reading, slick, and entertaining.

    LICENCE RENEWED concerns James Bond's investi-
    gation of Anton Murik, the Laird of Murcaldy. Murik
    was a top nuclear scientist who had developed plans
    for a "perfectly safe" nuclear reactor. But his col-
    leagues at the International Atomic Energy Research
    Commission would not approve his plan. Murik re-
    signed and began making plans to hire terrorists to
    infiltrate six major nuclear plants around the world in
    order to cause meltdowns unless he is allowed to build
    his own reactor.

    Chapter 2.
    "As far as I'm concerned, 007, you will remain 007. I shall
    take full responsibility for you, and you will, as ever, accept
    orders and assignments only from me. There are moments
    when this country need a troubleshooter--a blunt instru-
    ment--and by heaven it's going to have one. They can issue
    their pieces of bumf and abolish the Double-O section. We
    can simply change its name. It will now be the Special Sec-
    tion, and you are it. Understand, 007?"
    6d607435465469961bb9ce3fb4f8f77b7335791a.png
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,692
    Listening to Die Another Day on CD.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    edited March 2020 Posts: 4,692
    Has anyone read the comic Permission to Die? I’d like to read it, but can’t find a copy. Is it good? I hear it’s a sequel of sorts to From Russia with Love.
  • Matt007Matt007
    Posts: 1,314
    I listen to bond most nights as I fall asleep. flemings writing is just fantastic.

    I love octopussy and for your eyes only from the short stories.

    Currently just starting Solo
  • RevelatorRevelator
    edited March 2020 Posts: 2,919
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Has anyone read the comic Permission to Die? I’d like to read it, but can’t find a copy. Is it good? I hear it’s a sequel of sorts to From Russia with Love.

    The comic was originally issued in three issues and then collected in a paperback that has gone out of print and is very expensive. If you look online, issues 1 and 2 are very common, whereas 3 tends to score higher prices. I found someone offering all three on ebay last week and bought them--I'll let you know what I think. Grell is a Fleming fan, so I'm hoping for good things. I also acquired a lengthy interview with him about PTD that I hope to eventually post on this forum.
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