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Which Bond novel are you currently reading?

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  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,978
    So I was looking into picking up some more of the Fleming novels to add to my collection to read, and I wanted the same cover as all of the others I own. Does anyone like the 2012 reissue covers? I find them to be atrocious, and the versions I want, I can't seem to find anywhere, except for ridiculous prices. I have these versions of CR, DN, FRWL, and GF:

    http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-No-Ian-Author-Fleming/dp/B001TI2WR6/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&qid=1383621065&sr=8-23&keywords=ian+fleming+dr+no
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,978
    So I was looking into picking up some more of the Fleming novels to add to my collection to read, and I wanted the same cover as all of the others I own. Does anyone like the 2012 reissue covers? I find them to be atrocious, and the versions I want, I can't seem to find anywhere, except for ridiculous prices. I have these versions of CR, DN, FRWL, and GF:

    http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-No-Ian-Author-Fleming/dp/B001TI2WR6/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&qid=1383621065&sr=8-23&keywords=ian+fleming+dr+no
  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    Posts: 13,355
    Unless you buy all the novels in a short space of time, I think you'll always be likely to end up with two mismatched sets, like I did.
  • MayDayDiVicenzoMayDayDiVicenzo Here and there
    Posts: 5,080
    Creasy47 wrote:
    So I was looking into picking up some more of the Fleming novels to add to my collection to read, and I wanted the same cover as all of the others I own. Does anyone like the 2012 reissue covers? I find them to be atrocious, and the versions I want, I can't seem to find anywhere, except for ridiculous prices. I have these versions of CR, DN, FRWL, and GF:

    http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-No-Ian-Author-Fleming/dp/B001TI2WR6/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&qid=1383621065&sr=8-23&keywords=ian+fleming+dr+no

    I absolutely love them! My favourite has got to be Moonraker and Spy.

  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    edited November 2013 Posts: 40,978
    Ugh, that sucks. I should've just got the rest. I notice any Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million I enter now never has any Fleming novels...at all. So I can't even go to select ones and pick the novels they do have, because they don't seem to be a fan of his. I'll keep checking and just grabbing them online.

    @MayDayDiVicenzo, same! They're excellent covers. I think the 2012 issues look uninspired and dull. One of those "the less work, the more artistic it looks" kind of deals, I think.

    EDIT: Guess I won't. I literally see audiobook versions and that's it. They're just sold out everywhere. I'm so bitter.
  • BounineBounine
    edited November 2013 Posts: 2,599
    All of my Bond novels are mismatched but this doesn't bother me personally. I bought all of them second hand. Most are the pan editions.

    I have the original hardback versions of some of Gardner's.

    Yeah, these covers are magnificent:

    http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-No-Ian-Author-Fleming/dp/B001TI2WR6/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&qid=1383621065&sr=8-23&keywords=ian+fleming+dr+no

    I like them better than the originals. I have CR and GF and some cards which these covers are printed on that I bought at the Book Bond exhibition or whatever it was called back in 08 in Green Park.

    At one point I bought the whole book collection brand new for around 14 pounds (not from Amazon) and the box was accidentally delivered to my neighbours. I didn't know they had it so I thought that I would never get it so I contacted the sellers and had the box set delivered again. After I received it, the neighbours brought round the other one. I sold both of them on e-bay and made quite a nice profit. One was in mint condition, the other, I read a few from. These were the nice shiny editions too, not the matt ones. The Dr. No design is my favourite.
  • BounineBounine
    edited November 2013 Posts: 2,599
    By Royal Command. Wonderful Bond book. Higson really understands Bond. I hope that Cole can also do such sweet justice to our favourite secret agent.
  • BounineBounine
    edited November 2013 Posts: 2,599
    WestonMcKay wrote:
    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

    When you say Per Fine Ounce, are you referring to that tiny extract that was posted on Mi6 a few years ago or is there more available of this to read now?
  • MrBondMrBond Station S
    Posts: 2,044
    I'm reading Licence Renewed at the moment. It is a good book so far, although different to Flemings work.
  • socaljon3socaljon3
    Posts: 27
    Recently completed all Ian Fleming Bond novels (12, I believe), and short stories (2 sets). Plan to continue on with Young James Bond - Silverfin, which I ordered last week. If intregued enough with Silverfin, I may continue with the remaining five in the YJB series. And, I understand the series is now being continued by another author. If I'm just lukewarm about the YJB idea after completing the first story, well, I may jump to Kingsley Amis' 68 Colonel Sun. Any suggestions from you seasoned Ian Fleming and/or James Bond readers? Also, any quick reviews regarding Fleming's non-spy writings: "The Diamond Smugglers" and "Thrilling Cities" ? Sorry, not interrested in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, I'm 58 years old so YJB is as youthfull a read as I'm willing to go.
  • BounineBounine
    edited November 2013 Posts: 2,599
    Thrilling Cities and Young Bond are good reads. In terms of Young Bond, Silverfin and By Royal Command are my favourites. Higson shows that he understands James Bond but it's over the top to think that a 13 to 14 year old Bond could have all these adventures and especially in such a short time.

    Thrilling Cities offers a different, interesting take on travel books. Having read the Fleming books numerous times, I can certainly tell that it's Fleming who wrote it. LOL.

    As for The Diamond Smugglers, I only got to read a small part of this book. I've been meaning to borrow it from the library again.
  • BounineBounine
    Posts: 2,599
    Back to Moonraker. I started reading this, then went on to another Jack Reacher, then By Royal Command and now I have returned to Moonraker.
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,978
    I have been neglecting my Bondathon of late, but I found some time to finish of Never Dream Of Dying, earlier today. I last read this one about 10 years ago, and two passages that I remembered were Bond's escape through the film set and Bond's confrontation with Le Gerant in the cave.
    Within the 'Union Trilogy', High Time To Kill is my favourite, followed by this, then Doubleshot (the weak link). The ranking...


    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. Never Dream Of Dying - Raymond Benson (2001)*****
    20. Quantum Of Solace - Ian Fleming (1960)
    21. GoldenEye - John Gardner (1995)
    22. Nobody Lives For Ever - John Gardner (1986)
    23. The World Is Not Enough - Raymond Benson (1999)
    24. Live And Let Die - Ian Fleming (1954)
    25. The Facts Of Death - Raymond Benson (1998)
    26. Death Is Forever - John Gardner (1992)
    27. From A View To A Kill - Ian Fleming (1960)
    28. Risico - Ian Fleming (1960)
    29. No Deals, Mr Bond - John Gardner (1987)
    30. Moonraker - Christopher Wood (1979)
    31. Colonel Sun - Robert Markham (1968)
    32. The Property Of A Lady - Ian Fleming (1966)
    33. The Hilderbrand Rarity - Ian Fleming (1960)
    34. Dr No - Ian Fleming (1958)
    35. Win, Lose Or Die - John Gardner (1989)
    36. SeaFire - John Gardner (1994)
    37. Never Send Flowers - John Gardner (1993)
    38. Brokenclaw - John Gardner (1990)
    39. The Spy Who Loved Me - Ian Fleming (1962)
    40. Octopussy - Ian Fleming (1966)
    41. Doubleshot - Raymond Benson (2000)
    41. The Man With The Golden Gun - Ian Fleming (1965)
    42. Goldfinger - Ian Fleming (1959)
    43. Diamonds Are Forever - Ian Fleming (1956)
    44. COLD - John Gardner (1996)
    45. 007 In New York - Ian Fleming (1966)
    46. The Man From Barbarossa - John Gardner (1991)

    Next up: Die Another Day
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,804
    MajorDSmythe wrote:
    Next up: Die Another Day
    My condolences in advance.
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 6,306
    Life_Be_In_It_Pierce wrote:
    Fleming makes two big mistakes. Dated Nazi potboiler plotline, and no exotic locations. Feels like a Sapper, not a space age cold war Bond.

    To be fair, it wasn't dated at the time he wrote it.
  • BeatlesSansEarmuffsBeatlesSansEarmuffs
    Posts: 3,566
    Creasy47 wrote:
    So I was looking into picking up some more of the Fleming novels to add to my collection to read, and I wanted the same cover as all of the others I own. Does anyone like the 2012 reissue covers? I find them to be atrocious, and the versions I want, I can't seem to find anywhere, except for ridiculous prices. I have these versions of CR, DN, FRWL, and GF:

    http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-No-Ian-Author-Fleming/dp/B001TI2WR6/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&qid=1383621065&sr=8-23&keywords=ian+fleming+dr+no

    I started picking up these Penguin editions with the really cool cover illustrations in used book stores in the Berkeley CA area about a month or so ago. They are awesome, far nicer than any edition other than the original first printing hardcovers which are obviously out of my price range! So far I have managed to find eight out of the fourteen:
    CR
    LALD
    MR
    DAF
    DN
    GF
    OHMSS
    YOLT
    and am eagerly searching for the rest!
  • BounineBounine
    edited November 2013 Posts: 2,599
    chrisisall wrote:
    MajorDSmythe wrote:
    Next up: Die Another Day
    My condolences in advance.

    I'm certainly not saying that the book is amazing but it's a fair bit better than the film. It's based on the original or semi original script before Tamahori made other changes. The book has less action and is more of a thriller.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    BeatlesSansEarmuffs wrote:
    Creasy47 wrote:
    So I was looking into picking up some more of the Fleming novels to add to my collection to read, and I wanted the same cover as all of the others I own. Does anyone like the 2012 reissue covers? I find them to be atrocious, and the versions I want, I can't seem to find anywhere, except for ridiculous prices. I have these versions of CR, DN, FRWL, and GF:

    http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-No-Ian-Author-Fleming/dp/B001TI2WR6/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&qid=1383621065&sr=8-23&keywords=ian+fleming+dr+no

    I started picking up these Penguin editions with the really cool cover illustrations in used book stores in the Berkeley CA area about a month or so ago. They are awesome, far nicer than any edition other than the original first printing hardcovers which are obviously out of my price range! So far I have managed to find eight out of the fourteen:
    CR
    LALD
    MR
    DAF
    DN
    GF
    OHMSS
    YOLT
    and am eagerly searching for the rest!

    Those are the ones I have too. I am only missing GF and the short story collections.
  • BeatlesSansEarmuffsBeatlesSansEarmuffs
    Posts: 3,566
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    BeatlesSansEarmuffs wrote:
    Creasy47 wrote:
    So I was looking into picking up some more of the Fleming novels to add to my collection to read, and I wanted the same cover as all of the others I own. Does anyone like the 2012 reissue covers? I find them to be atrocious, and the versions I want, I can't seem to find anywhere, except for ridiculous prices. I have these versions of CR, DN, FRWL, and GF:

    http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-No-Ian-Author-Fleming/dp/B001TI2WR6/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&qid=1383621065&sr=8-23&keywords=ian+fleming+dr+no

    I started picking up these Penguin editions with the really cool cover illustrations in used book stores in the Berkeley CA area about a month or so ago. They are awesome, far nicer than any edition other than the original first printing hardcovers which are obviously out of my price range! So far I have managed to find eight out of the fourteen:
    CR
    LALD
    MR
    DAF
    DN
    GF
    OHMSS
    YOLT
    and am eagerly searching for the rest!

    Those are the ones I have too. I am only missing GF and the short story collections.

    Goldfinger is a really nice one, with gorgeous colors. I had the most amazing find just this evening! My Penguin edition of DAF (a beautiful cover that really evokes the '50s for me) has some water damage on several interior pages, so I was willing to purchase a replacement if one turned up. Sure enough, tonight I found one -- and rather than charging me the $8 the store had pencilled in as their price, the clerk pointed out that someone hadn't completely erased an earlier pencilled notation of 50 cents -- so she gave it to me for the 50 cent price! This one is a 9th printing, without the "Fleming Centenary" symbol that my first copy (13th printing) has. What a score!
  • fjdinardofjdinardo
    edited November 2013 Posts: 1,970
    I had bought the book Live and Let Die last year but I only read the first 3 chapters then I stopped. I just started reading it again but so far the book is not intresting me. I bought From Russia with Love and Im really looking forward to reading that.

    Books I have read are CR, TB, OHMSS, YOLT
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,281
    echo wrote:
    Life_Be_In_It_Pierce wrote:
    Fleming makes two big mistakes. Dated Nazi potboiler plotline, and no exotic locations. Feels like a Sapper, not a space age cold war Bond.

    To be fair, it wasn't dated at the time he wrote it.

    Far from it in fact, with German rearmament fears very palpable with the British Cabinet at the time. It was very topical indeed, not a "Nazi potboiler" at all, in fact.
  • SaintMarkSaintMark
    Posts: 7,653
    Dragonpol wrote:
    echo wrote:
    Life_Be_In_It_Pierce wrote:
    Fleming makes two big mistakes. Dated Nazi potboiler plotline, and no exotic locations. Feels like a Sapper, not a space age cold war Bond.

    To be fair, it wasn't dated at the time he wrote it.

    Far from it in fact, with German rearmament fears very palpable with the British Cabinet at the time. It was very topical indeed, not a "Nazi potboiler" at all, in fact.

    Yes, and Sapper was one of Flemings influences when he grew up, nothing wrong with that. Quite a few books of Sapper make for some excellent reading these days.
  • 007InVT007InVT Classified
    Posts: 893
    Really @SaintMark?

    Which Sapper's are worth checking out?
  • SMERSHedSMERSHed
    Posts: 38
    I started Solo about a week ago and I'm in no great hurry to finish it. It's not awful, just not compelling. It really makes me want to go back and reread one of Fleming's novels.
  • SaintMarkSaintMark
    Posts: 7,653
    007InVT wrote:
    Really @SaintMark?

    Which Sapper's are worth checking out?

    the first four make fine reading ( Bulldog Drummond; The Black Gang; The Third Round;
    The Final Count all 4 starring archvillain Carl Peterson ) , another one I enjoyed quite a lot was "Female of the Species".
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,978
    I resumed my Bondathon earlier with the last four chapters of The Man With The Red Tattoo. The last time I read this one was about 10 years ago, and all I remembered was that mosquitoes are features somewhere in the plot. So I had forgotten how irritating Mayumi is. Not only is she a klutz, but she also doesn't listen to a word from Bond.


    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. Never Dream Of Dying - Raymond Benson (2001)
    20. Quantum Of Solace - Ian Fleming (1960)
    21. GoldenEye - John Gardner (1995)
    22. Nobody Lives For Ever - John Gardner (1986)
    23. The World Is Not Enough - Raymond Benson (1999)
    24. Live And Let Die - Ian Fleming (1954)
    25. The Facts Of Death - Raymond Benson (1998)
    26. Death Is Forever - John Gardner (1992)
    27. From A View To A Kill - Ian Fleming (1960)
    28. Risico - Ian Fleming (1960)
    29. No Deals, Mr Bond - John Gardner (1987)
    30. Moonraker - Christopher Wood (1979)
    31. Colonel Sun - Robert Markham (1968)
    32. The Property Of A Lady - Ian Fleming (1966)
    33. The Hilderbrand Rarity - Ian Fleming (1960)
    *****34. The Man With The Red Tattoo - Raymond Benson (2002)*****
    35. Dr No - Ian Fleming (1958)
    36. Win, Lose Or Die - John Gardner (1989)
    37. SeaFire - John Gardner (1994)
    38. Never Send Flowers - John Gardner (1993)
    39. Brokenclaw - John Gardner (1990)
    40. The Spy Who Loved Me - Ian Fleming (1962)
    41. Octopussy - Ian Fleming (1966)
    42. Doubleshot - Raymond Benson (2000)
    43. The Man With The Golden Gun - Ian Fleming (1965)
    44. Goldfinger - Ian Fleming (1959)
    45. Diamonds Are Forever - Ian Fleming (1956)
    46. COLD - John Gardner (1996)
    47. Die Another Day - Raymond Benson (2002)
    48. 007 In New York - Ian Fleming (1966)
    49. The Man From Barbarossa - John Gardner (1991)

    Next up: Devil May Care
  • CrabKeyCrabKey
    Posts: 1,999
    After almost 50 years, started at the beginning again. Currently up to Goldfinger, but will be skipping FYEO, SWLM, and OP/TLD. Those three I don't care to revisit.
  • MadMelMadMel Banned
    edited December 2013 Posts: 21
    Reading From Russia With Love right now on a recommendation from this forums. Frankly, it's a bloody struggle.

    The guy sleeps for a chapter, gets dressed, has a meeting or two, then another bloody meeting. Not a trace of Bond except on a TV screen. If it doesn't improve soon I'll chuck the whole thing. Spent a fair bit of money getting it off iBooks too, so not at all pleased about that ... Like the song goesm, money is tight tight to mention.

    Might stick to the movies.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    MadMel wrote:
    Reading From Russia With Love right now on a recommendation from this forums. Frankly, it's a bloody struggle.

    The guy sleeps for a chapter, gets dressed, has a meeting or two, then another bloody meeting. Not a trace of Bond except on a TV screen. If it doesn't improve soon I'll chuck the whole thing. Spent a fair bit of money getting it off iBooks too, so not at all pleased about that ... Like the song goesm, money is tight tight to mention.

    Might stick to the movies.

    Have you ever read a Bond novel before? If not, why didn't you start at the beginning with Casino Royale?
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    edited December 2013 Posts: 17,804
    I'm still on Devil May Care, about 1/3 in. It's not blowin' my skirt up, but it's not uninteresting, either. If it stays on course, it will have been an enjoyable read. I'd read it a lot faster, but with Christmas, the phasers I'm working on, and crazy work & car fix schedules, I'm not as focused on it as I could be. More later.
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