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Anyway, I'm not going to read another book until after DAF this time.
Vanuatu sure seems like the place to read Thunderball!
And here's my review of
The Diamond Smugglers by Tan Fleming
Allthough not a Bond story, it's closely related to Bond, if only because the agent referenced to as 'Blaize', the antagonist in the story, comes to Fleming to tell his story because he enjoyed the James Bond books, especially Diamonds Are Forever.
At least, that's what Fleming tells us. It's a story of the organisation that was set in place to stop the illegal diamond trade, as told by Bliaze to Fleming (Blaize beeing a fictitious name of course). The book, then, isn't a fictional story, but holds the middle between a novel and a long magazine article. And it's there that it's weakness lies. It never really gets exciting. It's a series of anecdotes, in which as a reader you never really feel like you're getting the full picture. Who's really doing what? What's the result? Who's in real danger and why? all sorts of questions that remain unanswered. The result is a rather boring book, where Fleming's creativity and power of depiction are shown strongest in the situation where he describes him talking to Bliaze, rather than the stories Blaize tells. They remain vague and non-exciting, even though we're getting the feeling that's where the gold, pardon, diamonds, should lie.
What is interesting though is the natural way the British monopoly on diamonds and diamond trade through the De Beers company is seen as essential to the Britsh economy. It's a stance which wouldn't be supported these days anymore, and one you could already in the fifties and sixties losing its ground on humanitairian grounds and the basis of the self-governing rights of the peoples in Africa.
Perhaps my expectations were set too high. After all it's been years since I found something new to read written by Fleming himself, but for me it never really gives the information it promises, nor the threat and suspension you get from a thriller.
Anyway, after being left dumbfounded by the lack of news and updates of the next Bond film, I took the advice of a few members here and decided to delve into the back catalogue, and pick up a Bond book. I had a copy of ON HER MAJESTYS SECRET SERVICE which I had intended to read over the christmas period one year, but got too busy for. I was saving it for a special occasion, since its one of the few remaining Fleming titles which I have yet to read, and as I understand it, one of his best. So last Monday the 15th, I sat down with the book and began reading. I just finished the last page last night. For me thats pretty good going.
The number one thing that struck me reading this book is how much Flemings style and voice, as well as his main character, have changed from the earlier stories. In Casino Royale, Live And Let Die, Diamonds Are Forever, Moonraker and From Russia With Love, at least how I remember them, the style was more serious and "down to business". Think of the first line of Casino Royale "the stench and smoke and sweat of a casino are neaseating at three in the morning. It throws the reader into this scene, and straight away highlights the uncomfortable feeling atmosphere. Flemings style is almost opressive, and when Bond is introduced he is instantly cynical and suspicious, almost tired of living. Felmings descriptions are sharp and to the point. And although the stories are frequently exciting, theres not much humour to procedings. Bond will occasionally have a dry remark to himself, but mostly he is too wrapped up in the situation, calculating. I had read once that Fleming wrote James Bond to relive his glory days working in the service during the war, and that Casino was inspired by a real life card game he had with some germans. Except in real life he lost the game. So I imagine when Fleming came to write the stories, yes he embellished and romaticised certain aspects, but the idea was to evoke the life as it would have been. Fleming didn't create a complete fantasy world, Bond is still fallible, and faces near death many times, not to mention the psychological scars he is given. When there is torture, it is brutal, and Bond not recover overnight.
Which is why reading OHMSS felt so strange for me. I was used to hardboiled styel, that to sea him open this book with a rosey picture of Bond relaxing on a beach almost took me offguard. Infact, the entire book feels completely different to the earlier books. There is a bit of a tangle woth Bond and Tracy being kidnapped, which Bond more or less goes along with, then we have the affable Draco to lighten things up. Then Bond heads to the college of Arms where he spends a chapter at cross purposes with an old chap named Griffon Or. Literally the entire encountre is like a comedic interlude to interrupt the story, until Bond meets his real contact. I'm not complaining but, I don't remember ever seeing this kind of thing happening to Bond in the other novels. And it continues pretty much throughout the story. Bond hads to the alps, and on his first night there he is awoke to the screams of a man being pushed to his death. But instead of tensing up and being extra careful, Bond almost plays it off as it had been humourous start to the day. He even makes repeated reference back to the incident, with phrases like "what a way to going!"
And thats another thing I noticed, jist how muxh Bond exclaims, either verbally or in his thoughts. The old Bond always seemed a cool cat, like not much really thrilled or shocked him. Atleast not outside of a highstakes game of cards, or a car chase. But here, he frequently seems to be enjoying the adventure. He will often remark to himself something like "what a fine way to spend Christmas this is!" Or something similar. Even when he is skiing down the mountain, his thoughts seem to be filled more with exhileration than terror.
Again, theres nothing wrong with this, but it did take me somewhat offguard, as so often we hear fans talk about the books as if they are so much more serious and hard-edged than the movies, and Bond is an introspective and thoughtful hero. But it seems to me like hes not so far from the on screen version in this book.
It seems like to me that although Fleming created Bond as a (somewhat) realistic character who lived in the real world of danger and death around every corner. By the time of the later books he must have grown tired of that hardboiled style, and of Bond. I think he made the later Books more fanciful, relaxed and humourous, almost to keep himself interested in writing them. Casino Royale was written to scratch an itch, and that itch had long been scratched, but he could not kill off such a popular character, so he repurposed it to keep himself amused. Thats my thoughts at least, and the impression I was left with. I remember having this sense with Thunderball too. But all that being said, the final pages of the book were still very hard hitting, and the sombre final note is still probably the best moment in the series, as holds true for the films also. I was glad to find they adapted that completely as Fleming wrote it, even with the police man on the motorcycle.
Next I'm planning on reading IT by Stephen King, (if I can make it through all 1,200 pages).
A big compliment, by the way, for Connery.
However, I think the truth is a bit more - shall we say, complicated? I'm currently reading Thrilling Cities ( on which in al tare post more) and I find (written in '59) Fleming already adopts a more humourous style. He does refer to Bond often enough (flying on friday the 13th, like Bond, i.e., but unlike Bond it doesn't bode well for the flight), but all in all just seems to enjoy his travels very much. Somehow I feel it was a good time for Fleming, and it reflects in his writing.
You're right, he is different there also. I suppose it jist never truly dawned on me until reading OHMSS just HOW MUCH the charcater and tone changed.
I was a bit... unexpectant after 'The Diamond Smugglers', but boy was I wrong! It's Ian Fleming at what Ian does best. I love the book! His discriptions, his comments, his 'slightly romanticised' encounters. It's just fantastic. I also love the way he references to Bond and the Bond-stories, at one point referring to 'A quantum of Solace'.
You canread he loves travelling, and he loves the high life and moreover he loves flamboyand people. His interview with the top smuggler in Hong Kong, his encounter with Chaplin and his wife. It's all such fun to read. You hardly need Bond's (extreme) adventures to be entertained.
Perhaps, one day, I'll start a thread here which follows the book step by step, seeing what's still left of the places he visits and describes.
I couldn't reccommend a book more!
I haven t read the book yet, but that would make for an interesting thread.
I would certainly be interested in that thread. I have read Thrilling cities, and i have even used it as a travel guide on some occasions, so i am very familiar with it.
It does! I haven't had that much fun reading for quite some time. Admittatly most of my reading is academic, but still..
@00Agent i'll keep it in mind. Perhaps from march i'll have time to go for it.
Can I read them all before No Time To Die?...
Read all the other Flemings somewhere around 2006/07 for the first time, except for this one. I’m enjoying it so far. It feels special to discover a Fleming novel for the first time.
Then I suppose I should get on to the continuation novels, but I’m not sure if I will. How many are there and are they worth it?
One thing I love, is the relationship between Bond and Felix, they feel more like mates than allies in the books. Hopefully No Time To Die captures some of that feeling.
Jeffrey Wright is by far my favourite Felix, he has such a strong presence
I'm about a quarter of the way through and i'm really enjoying it. Wonderful opening with the original 007 turning up dead in Marseille And Bond getting his licence to kill as well as taking the 007 number.
Horowitz's writing is really impressive and his dialogue is natural and witty.
So far so good!
Can't put my finger on it, but I just enjoy his style personally. The characterizations of Bond and M have been great, and I find his flow in storytelling enjoyable. I am by no means an avid reader, so my opinion means little, just my preference and perspective so far.
I will say chapters 8-9 we're a bit on the weak side, without going into spoilers.
Enjoy both of Horowitz's novels.
If I find it, I will give it a shot.
Great review @Birdleson nice to hear some positive words about SOLO instead of the usual trashing. I read through the last couple continuation Novels two years ago, and SOLO really stuck out to me as a great read. Deep characterization (for a Bond novel) and it felt authentic. It puts Bond in a very unusual Environment but it has many great, and memorable moments for me.
From what i understand, Boyd had incorporated some personal life experiences from his time in Africa and the war into the book, so it definitely feels authentic. Overall it works.
I would say it's one of my favorites out of the continuation novels.
I did notice that before the text of Vesper's letter, it says "Bond threw the letter down as if it had been a scorpion". Then there's the text of the letter, and afterwards it says "Bond threw the letter down". It seems a bit clunky to say it twice, does anyone think this is something the proof-reader might have missed? (Understandably, as they're three pages apart).
It's in the chapter The Bleeding Heart.
Still have to say... I can only picture Connery when reading the novels, nobody else.