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Which Bond novel are you currently reading?

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  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,830
    MajorDSmythe wrote:
    Raymond Benson wastes no time in undoing the changes made by Gardner

    Wow, #10 right behind 3 Gardners.
    Curious, how would you characterise the difference between Gardner's & Benson's Bonds?

    Oh man, more books to buy...
  • DB5DB5
    Posts: 408
    Just started "Role of Honor." I'm beginning to enjoy Gardner.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,830
    DB5 wrote:
    Just started "Role of Honor." I'm beginning to enjoy Gardner.
    There was a reason he did more than most...
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,999
    chrisisall wrote:
    MajorDSmythe wrote:
    Raymond Benson wastes no time in undoing the changes made by Gardner

    Wow, #10 right behind 3 Gardners.
    Curious, how would you characterise the difference between Gardner's & Benson's Bonds?

    Oh man, more books to buy...

    Finished Tomorrow Never Dies this evening, a few days later than I could have, but other commitments have gotten in the way. Still, I enjoyed this novelisation as much as I enjoyed the film (and I do like the film). Benson even takes the time to flesh out Carver's backstory (and illegitimate entry into this world). Nice mention of the 'in development' Jaguar too.

    01. Moonraker - Ian Fleming (1955)
    02. On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Ian Fleming (1963)
    03. From Russia With Love - Ian Fleming (1957)
    04. You Only Live Twice - Ian Fleming (1964)
    05. Casino Royale - Ian Fleming (1953)
    06. For Special Services - John Gardner (1982)
    07. Licence Renewed - John Gardner (1981)
    08. Icebreaker - John Gardner (1983)
    09. The Living Daylights - Ian Fleming (1966)
    10. Zero Minus Ten - Raymond Benson (1997)
    11. Role Of Honour - John Gardner (1984)
    12. Scorpius - John Gardner (1988)
    13. Licence To Kill - John Gardner (1989)
    *****14. Tomorrow Never Dies - Raymond Benson (1997)*****
    15. The Spy Who Loved Me - Christopher Wood (1977)
    16. For Your Eyes Only - Ian Fleming (1960)
    17. Thunderball - Ian Fleming (1961)
    18. Quantum Of Solace - Ian Fleming (1960)
    19. GoldenEye - John Gardner (1995)
    20. Nobody Lives For Ever - John Gardner (1986)
    21. Live And Let Die - Ian Fleming (1954)
    22. Death Is Forever - John Gardner (1992)
    23. From A View To A Kill - Ian Fleming (1960)
    24. Risico - Ian Fleming (1960)
    25. No Deals, Mr Bond - John Gardner (1987)
    26. Moonraker - Christopher Wood (1979)
    27. Colonel Sun - Robert Markham (1968)
    28. The Property Of A Lady - Ian Fleming (1966)
    29. The Hilderbrand Rarity - Ian Fleming (1960)
    30. Dr No - Ian Fleming (1958)
    31. Win, Lose Or Die - John Gardner (1989)
    32. SeaFire - John Gardner (1994)
    33. Never Send Flowers - John Gardner (1993)
    34. Brokenclaw - John Gardner (1990)
    35. The Spy Who Loved Me - Ian Fleming (1962)
    36. Octopussy - Ian Fleming (1966)
    37. The Man With The Golden Gun - Ian Fleming (1965)
    38. Goldfinger - Ian Fleming (1959)
    39. Diamonds Are Forever - Ian Fleming (1956)
    40. COLD - John Gardner (1996)
    41. 007 In New York - Ian Fleming (1966)
    42. The Man From Barbarossa - John Gardner (1991)

    Next up: The Facts Of Death
  • SaintMarkSaintMark
    Posts: 7,653
    Solo by one William Boyd, so far I am enjoying myself.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,830
    SaintMark wrote:
    Solo by one William Boyd, so far I am enjoying myself.

    Keep us posted.
  • SaintMarkSaintMark
    Posts: 7,653
    chrisisall wrote:
    SaintMark wrote:
    Solo by one William Boyd, so far I am enjoying myself.

    Keep us posted.

    I did so in the Solo review thread.
  • SkyFall2012SkyFall2012
    Posts: 6
    Personally my favourite Bond novel is CARTE BLANCHE. It is the Bond Fleming would of come up with if he were writing the novels in the 21st century. But my list goes as follows:

    1. Carte Blanche
    2. From Russia with Love
    3. SOLO
    4. Casino Royale
    5. OHMSS
    6. Goldfinger
    7. Live and Let Die
    8. You Only Live Twice
    9. Moonraker
    10. Diamonds Are Forever
  • WestonMcKayWestonMcKay
    Posts: 52
    The Facts of Death

    Introduced to Benson's Bond... And see Brosnan....
    The plot begins like an investigation novel, which I thought was pretty cool but it throws a curveball and introduces a Group of Killers from 1-10 which was cool but somehow the plot kinda falls apart after the great Felix-Bond team up and ends in with a little whimper.
    Overall: Good novel, not the best.
    1. From Russia With Love
    2. Moonraker
    3. Dr. No
    4. Casino Royale
    5. SilverFin
    6. Live and Let Die
    7. Goldfinger
    8. Carte Blanche
    9. The Facts of Death
    10. Diamonds Are Forever
    11. Devil May Care

    Weston McKay Will Return In
    SOLO - by William Boyd
  • WestonMcKayWestonMcKay
    Posts: 52
    Carte Blanche Revisited

    I just had to come back to this one and discover..... It was good, the villain is creepy, the twists are great, Dunne is a great henchmen and Bond is........... umm, different but I can still see the character Fleming saw in Bond.

    __________________________________________________________________________________
    1. From Russia With Love
    2. Moonraker
    3. Dr. No
    4. Casino Royale
    5. SilverFin
    6. Carte Blanche
    7. Live and Let Die
    8. Goldfinger
    9. The Facts of Death
    10. Diamonds Are Forever
    11. Devil May Care

    Weston McKay Will Return In
    SOLO - by William Boyd
  • MayDayDiVicenzoMayDayDiVicenzo Here and there
    Posts: 5,080
    Diamonds Are Forever!
  • WestonMcKayWestonMcKay
    Posts: 52
    Solo

    Welcome Back, Mr. Bond. We've been expecting you.....
    Solo brings back Bond... The original Bond "Fleming Bond" in a great adventure penned hy the brilliant William Boyd. The locations are descriptive, characters are somewhat well writing but a little forgetable, but... The villain... The villain was awesome. Breed is a great villain - intimidating, voiced perfectly and has a great finale. The twists are well written and it leaves itself open to a sequel.

    1. From Russia With Love
    ---- 2. Solo ----
    3. Moonraker
    4. Dr. No
    5. Casino Royale
    6. SilverFin
    7. Carte Blanche
    8. Live and Let Die
    9. Goldfinger
    10. The Facts of Death
    11. Diamonds Are Forever
    12. Devil May Care

    Weston McKay Will Return In:
    "HIGH TIME TO KILL" by Raymond Benson
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,830
    WestonMcKay wrote:
    Breed is a great villain - intimidating, voiced perfectly and has a great finale. The twists are well written and it leaves itself open to a sequel.
    ---- 2. Solo ----
    Great news, Thanks!
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,344
    I'm reading through Diamonds Are Forever currently as I have a few new things to say on that vastly under-appreciated literary novel of Ian Fleming's.
  • MayDayDiVicenzoMayDayDiVicenzo Here and there
    Posts: 5,080
    Dragonpol wrote:
    I'm reading through Diamonds Are Forever currently as I have a few new things to say on that vastly under-appreciated literary novel of Ian Fleming's.

    Ditto! Although I don't think it is anything on the level of Moonraker, it is still an enjoyable read and Tiffany Case is one of the best Bond girls to brace the pages of Bond.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited October 2013 Posts: 18,344
    MayDayDiVicenzo wrote:
    Dragonpol wrote:
    I'm reading through Diamonds Are Forever currently as I have a few new things to say on that vastly under-appreciated literary novel of Ian Fleming's.

    Ditto! Although I don't think it is anything on the level of Moonraker, it is still an enjoyable read and Tiffany Case is one of the best Bond girls to brace the pages of Bond.

    I find DAF to be full of loads of interesting period and local detail as well as those great Fleming mini-essays on a variety of subjects. Moonraker is my all-time favourite Bond novel.
  • WestonMcKayWestonMcKay
    Posts: 52
    Per Fine Ounce
    I thought to bump this thread by doing a fun one - the cancelled Per Fine Ounce written by Geoffrey Jenkins and...... its alittle rough but had potention, the plot sounds similar to the beginning of Guy Hamilton's DAF by having M, Bond and other guy talk about Gold (DAF about Diamonds) but from what I had heard from the possible plot, it sounds like SOLO with Africa and Bond on his own. I wish we could have seen this book released, and wish that one day (if IFP have the manuscript) it gets released (it can't be as bad as DMC............. can it?)


    1. From Russia With Love
    2. Solo
    3. Moonraker
    4. Dr. No
    5. Casino Royale
    6. SilverFin
    7. Carte Blanche
    8. Live and Let Die
    9. Goldfinger
    10. The Facts of Death
    ---- 11. Per Fine Ounce ---- (Extract)
    12. Diamonds Are Forever
    13. Devil May Care

    Weston McKay Will Return In:
    "HIGH TIME TO KILL" by Raymond Benson
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,344
    WestonMcKay wrote:
    Per Fine Ounce
    I thought to bump this thread by doing a fun one - the cancelled Per Fine Ounce written by Geoffrey Jenkins and...... its alittle rough but had potention, the plot sounds similar to the beginning of Guy Hamilton's DAF by having M, Bond and other guy talk about Gold (DAF about Diamonds) but from what I had heard from the possible plot, it sounds like SOLO with Africa and Bond on his own. I wish we could have seen this book released, and wish that one day (if IFP have the manuscript) it gets released (it can't be as bad as DMC............. can it?)


    1. From Russia With Love
    2. Solo
    3. Moonraker
    4. Dr. No
    5. Casino Royale
    6. SilverFin
    7. Carte Blanche
    8. Live and Let Die
    9. Goldfinger
    10. The Facts of Death
    ---- 11. Per Fine Ounce ---- (Extract)
    12. Diamonds Are Forever
    13. Devil May Care

    Weston McKay Will Return In:
    "HIGH TIME TO KILL" by Raymond Benson

    May I be the first to second your motion, sir. I'm in entire agreement with what you say. May I recommend my friend Jeremy Duns' blog of the same name as he did all of the in-depth research on PFO from 2005 or so onwards and there are some articles ob his blog that were the real fruits of this research.
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,999
    High Time To Kill

    The last time I read this one, was about a decade ago. I enjoyed it them, and unsurprisingly, I enjoyed it this time too. High Time To Kill can be likened to Tomorrow Never Dies, in that most of the action takes place in the later half of the story. A lot has been said of the Benson era, and not all of it good. Personally, I like Benson's style (DAD can't be held against him, imo).


    01. Moonraker - Ian Fleming (1955)
    02. On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Ian Fleming (1963)
    03. From Russia With Love - Ian Fleming (1957)
    04. You Only Live Twice - Ian Fleming (1964)
    05. Casino Royale - Ian Fleming (1953)
    06. For Special Services - John Gardner (1982)
    07. Licence Renewed - John Gardner (1981)
    08. Icebreaker - John Gardner (1983)
    09. The Living Daylights - Ian Fleming (1966)
    10. Zero Minus Ten - Raymond Benson (1997)
    11. Role Of Honour - John Gardner (1984)
    12. Scorpius - John Gardner (1988)
    13. Licence To Kill - John Gardner (1989)
    *****14. High Time To Kill Raymond Benson (1999)*****
    15. Tomorrow Never Dies - Raymond Benson (1997)
    16. The Spy Who Loved Me - Christopher Wood (1977)
    17. For Your Eyes Only - Ian Fleming (1960)
    18. Thunderball - Ian Fleming (1961)
    19. Quantum Of Solace - Ian Fleming (1960)
    20. GoldenEye - John Gardner (1995)
    21. Nobody Lives For Ever - John Gardner (1986)
    22. Live And Let Die - Ian Fleming (1954)
    23. The Facts Of Death - Raymond Benson (1998)
    24. Death Is Forever - John Gardner (1992)
    25. From A View To A Kill - Ian Fleming (1960)
    26. Risico - Ian Fleming (1960)
    27. No Deals, Mr Bond - John Gardner (1987)
    28. Moonraker - Christopher Wood (1979)
    29. Colonel Sun - Robert Markham (1968)
    30. The Property Of A Lady - Ian Fleming (1966)
    31. The Hilderbrand Rarity - Ian Fleming (1960)
    32. Dr No - Ian Fleming (1958)
    33. Win, Lose Or Die - John Gardner (1989)
    34. SeaFire - John Gardner (1994)
    35. Never Send Flowers - John Gardner (1993)
    36. Brokenclaw - John Gardner (1990)
    37. The Spy Who Loved Me - Ian Fleming (1962)
    38. Octopussy - Ian Fleming (1966)
    39. The Man With The Golden Gun - Ian Fleming (1965)
    40. Goldfinger - Ian Fleming (1959)
    41. Diamonds Are Forever - Ian Fleming (1956)
    42. COLD - John Gardner (1996)
    43. 007 In New York - Ian Fleming (1966)
    44. The Man From Barbarossa - John Gardner (1991)

    Next up: The World Is Not Enough
  • WestonMcKayWestonMcKay
    edited October 2013 Posts: 52
    High Time To Kill
    -by Raymond Benson

    It was well written, a great climax, The Union is a great idea and hopefully is expanded in the next novel.


    1. From Russia With Love
    2. Solo
    3. Moonraker
    4. Dr. No
    5. Casino Royale
    6. SilverFin
    7. Carte Blanche
    8. Live and Let Die
    9. Goldfinger
    -- 10. High Time To Kill --
    11. The Facts of Death
    12. Per Fine Ounce (Extract)
    13. Diamonds Are Forever
    14. Devil May Care

    Weston McKay Will Return In:
    DOUBLESHOT
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,999
    The World Is Not Enough

    I was surprised to see Benson work in a mention of Doctor Who into this book. And I know it was filmed (and subsequently cut, for a good reason I would like to add), but I that the line from M about hollowed out Volcano's and big breasted villains was cut from the film. It felt too self referential.


    01. Moonraker - Ian Fleming (1955)
    02. On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Ian Fleming (1963)
    03. From Russia With Love - Ian Fleming (1957)
    04. You Only Live Twice - Ian Fleming (1964)
    05. Casino Royale - Ian Fleming (1953)
    06. For Special Services - John Gardner (1982)
    07. Licence Renewed - John Gardner (1981)
    08. Icebreaker - John Gardner (1983)
    09. The Living Daylights - Ian Fleming (1966)
    10. Zero Minus Ten - Raymond Benson (1997)
    11. Role Of Honour - John Gardner (1984)
    12. Scorpius - John Gardner (1988)
    13. Licence To Kill - John Gardner (1989)
    14. High Time To Kill Raymond Benson (1999)
    15. Tomorrow Never Dies - Raymond Benson (1997)
    16. The Spy Who Loved Me - Christopher Wood (1977)
    17. For Your Eyes Only - Ian Fleming (1960)
    18. Thunderball - Ian Fleming (1961)
    19. Quantum Of Solace - Ian Fleming (1960)
    20. GoldenEye - John Gardner (1995)
    21. Nobody Lives For Ever - John Gardner (1986)
    *****22. The World Is Not Enough - Raymond Benson (1999)*****
    23. Live And Let Die - Ian Fleming (1954)
    24. The Facts Of Death - Raymond Benson (1998)
    25. Death Is Forever - John Gardner (1992)
    26. From A View To A Kill - Ian Fleming (1960)
    27. Risico - Ian Fleming (1960)
    28. No Deals, Mr Bond - John Gardner (1987)
    29. Moonraker - Christopher Wood (1979)
    30. Colonel Sun - Robert Markham (1968)
    31. The Property Of A Lady - Ian Fleming (1966)
    32. The Hilderbrand Rarity - Ian Fleming (1960)
    33. Dr No - Ian Fleming (1958)
    34. Win, Lose Or Die - John Gardner (1989)
    35. SeaFire - John Gardner (1994)
    36. Never Send Flowers - John Gardner (1993)
    37. Brokenclaw - John Gardner (1990)
    38. The Spy Who Loved Me - Ian Fleming (1962)
    39. Octopussy - Ian Fleming (1966)
    40. The Man With The Golden Gun - Ian Fleming (1965)
    41. Goldfinger - Ian Fleming (1959)
    42. Diamonds Are Forever - Ian Fleming (1956)
    43. COLD - John Gardner (1996)
    44. 007 In New York - Ian Fleming (1966)
    45. The Man From Barbarossa - John Gardner (1991)

    Next up: Doubleshot
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    You should count yourself lucky that none of the extreme Fleming purists on this site have seen you rank Solo over the vast majority of Ian's work, @WestonMcKay. I'd have to rescue you before they tied you to a post, soaked you in gasoline and lit the match.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,830
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    You should count yourself lucky that none of the extreme Fleming purists on this site have seen you rank Solo over the vast majority of Ian's work, @WestonMcKay. I'd have to rescue you before they tied you to a post, soaked you in gasoline and lit the match.
    Could we just slap him around a little then? :))
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    chrisisall wrote:
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    You should count yourself lucky that none of the extreme Fleming purists on this site have seen you rank Solo over the vast majority of Ian's work, @WestonMcKay. I'd have to rescue you before they tied you to a post, soaked you in gasoline and lit the match.
    Could we just slap him around a little then? :))

    Alright, but please exercise reasonable discretion. If he bruises, you're the person I'm coming after. Ever since a few trolls I let you "discipline" a few weeks ago turned up dead and anchored down by rocks in the river, you've been placed on my watch-list.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,830
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    Ever since a few trolls I let you "discipline" a few weeks ago turned up dead and anchored down by rocks in the river, you've been placed on my watch-list.
    I flag myself... 8-|
  • karl007karl007
    Posts: 151
    Just finished SOLO now I'm waiting for Colonel sun to arrive in the post cant wait to start it!
  • Life_Be_In_It_PierceLife_Be_In_It_Pierce Banned
    Posts: 24
    Sorry, don't get why Moonraker gets so many top slots on the spot. Critical consensus until recently was that it was one of Fleming's weakness, and I stand by that. Not just here in this community but other sites rank it high to. Why? To me it is a rushed ending, and Fleming makes two big mistakes. Dated Nazi potboiler plotline, and no exotic locations. Feels like a Sapper, not a space age cold war Bond.

    Anyway, I am re reading chrnologically. I've stalled on FYEO I'm sad to say. Just no passion here for short stories. Read Thunderball a few months ago, sneaked ahead.

    1. Dr No (the perfect Bond novel. Only thing missing is a Chopping dust jacket. Villain, girl, extreme violence, all presented and corrected)
    2. Thunderball (one of my favorites as a kid. Funny and full of space age whizz bang. Bond himself is a delight man, full of life and positivity despite his poor health problems)
    3. Goldfinger (long and bizarre, but rich... like the man himself)
    4. From Russia With The Love (to much time spent with villains. Who cares? But some good locations in Turkey)
    5. Live and Let Die (fast, violent, the voodoo element scared me)
    6. Diamonds Are Forever (good girlfriend for Bond, good humour, good Felix as a cool friend to have)
    7. Moonraker (see above)
    8. Casino Royale (short, flimsy, cardboatd charatcers, fizzles out of steam. A disaster.)
  • WestonMcKayWestonMcKay
    edited October 2013 Posts: 52
    chrisisall wrote:
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    You should count yourself lucky that none of the extreme Fleming purists on this site have seen you rank Solo over the vast majority of Ian's work, @WestonMcKay. I'd have to rescue you before they tied you to a post, soaked you in gasoline and lit the match.
    Could we just slap him around a little then? :))

    EGAD! I've only read half of Fleming's work so there has to be some more titles to go above Solo --- right? Thunderball, OHMSS, YOLT? I'm doing a major rehaul of my Bond rankings so we will have to see where Solo lies. So before you slap me - HOLD IT!

    Edit: My New Rankings: From Worst To Best
    14. Devil May Care
    13. Per Fine Ounce
    12. DoubleShot
    11. The Facts of Death
    10. Diamonds Are Forever
    9. High Time To Kill
    8. Live and Let Die
    7. Solo (Shields Face)
    6. Carte Blanche (Starts running away)
    5. Goldfinger
    4. Casino Royale
    3. Dr. No
    2. Moonraker
    1. From Russia With Love
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,830
    WestonMcKay wrote:
    Edit: My New Rankings: From Worst To Best
    14. Devil May Care
    13. Per Fine Ounce
    12. DoubleShot
    11. The Facts of Death
    10. Diamonds Are Forever
    9. High Time To Kill
    8. Live and Let Die
    7. Solo (Shields Face)
    6. Carte Blanche (Starts running away)
    5. Goldfinger
    4. Casino Royale
    3. Dr. No
    2. Moonraker
    1. From Russia With Love

    The back of my hand to you, you bubble-headed booby!
    ;)
    Just kidding, we all have our different tastes, for instance, I am so far liking DMC. Diff'rent strokes!
  • WestonMcKayWestonMcKay
    edited October 2013 Posts: 52
    Never Dream of Dying
    a great conclusion to the great Union Trilogy - it was nice to see Draco for one last time even if he's evil. I feel like Cesari's death could have been more personal but it was nice to get a more Bondian novel than DoubleShot was which was like a hangover from HTTK
    1. From Russia With Love
    2. Moonraker
    3. Dr. No
    4. Casino Royale
    5. SilverFin
    6. Goldfinger
    7. Carte Blanche
    8. Solo
    9. Never Dream of Dying
    10. Live and Let Die
    11. High Time To Kill
    12. Diamonds Are Forever
    13. The Facts of Death
    14. DoubleShot
    15. Per Fine Ounce
    16. Devil May Care

    Weston McKay will return in:
    THE MAN WITH THE RED TATTOO
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