Anthony Horowitz's Bond novel - Forever and a Day

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Comments

  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384
    Nice title, I enjoyed Trigger Mortis amd am looking forward to
    Forever and a Day.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    Nice coincidence if you ask me... Donald Westlake's posthumously published novel that was originally a screen treatment for a James Bond film is called Forever and a Death, published a year ago if memory serves...

    ...And now, we have a Bond book called Forever and a Day. Can't help but think the former was the inspiration behind the title.
  • JamesBondKenyaJamesBondKenya Danny Boyle laughs to himself
    Posts: 2,730
    I never thought that there was a 007 before Bond. I guess it’s possible
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    edited February 2018 Posts: 15,423
    Don't he have aquired his licence to kill by killing a Japonese in NY and a Norvegian ? What do they mean by "with the extraordinary story of how he got his licence to kill" and "It’s time for James Bond to earn his licence to kill" ?
    Perhaps it's about that.

    I think this is his first mission as a 00 (I'm guessing the description is a bit misleading, "how he got it" is probably just the old one dying, him being promoted).

    The way I've always taken the two kills idea is that two assassinations make you eligable but you're not automatically made a 00. The comment about Bond being prepared is probably talking about the two kills CR describes; they were preparing him and in the process of that he'd gotten his two kills, but things had to be bought forward when the old 007 was killed. Horowitz is a fan of the books and I doubt IFP would sign off on a massive retcon so I don't think we need to worry about CR being contradicted.

    I'm still not 100% sure about the idea, I don't think we really needed to read about any of his missions before CR. But Trigger Mortis was great so I have faith in him.
    That's actually a very good analysis, @thelivingroyale. I haven't thought of it that way before. Bond passing the K Protocol and instead of being promoted to 00-status instantly, got into the waiting list until there's a vacancy. Makes sense, to be honest.

    I wonder how Fleming would've set up the history of the 00-section, because I can't recall reading in the novels how and when it was initiated. It would've been interesting had he left notes previously undiscovered.
  • 00Agent00Agent Any man who drinks Dom Perignon '52 can't be all bad.
    edited February 2018 Posts: 5,185
    Don't he have aquired his licence to kill by killing a Japonese in NY and a Norvegian ? What do they mean by "with the extraordinary story of how he got his licence to kill" and "It’s time for James Bond to earn his licence to kill" ?
    Perhaps it's about that.

    I think this is his first mission as a 00 (I'm guessing the description is a bit misleading, "how he got it" is probably just the old one dying, him being promoted).

    The way I've always taken the two kills idea is that two assassinations make you eligable but you're not automatically made a 00. The comment about Bond being prepared is probably talking about the two kills CR describes; they were preparing him and in the process of that he'd gotten his two kills, but things had to be bought forward when the old 007 was killed. Horowitz is a fan of the books and I doubt IFP would sign off on a massive retcon so I don't think we need to worry about CR being contradicted.

    I'm still not 100% sure about the idea, I don't think we really needed to read about any of his missions before CR. But Trigger Mortis was great so I have faith in him.
    That's actually a very good analysis, @thelivingroyale. I haven't thought of it that way before. Bond passing the K Protocol and instead of being promoted to 00-status instantly, got into the waiting list until there's a vacancy. Makes sense, to be honest.

    I wonder how Fleming would've set up the history of the 00-section, because I can't recall reading in the novels how and when it was initiated. It would've been interesting had he left notes previously unearthed.

    well, we haven't even discussed the possibility of whether that was actually in his unreleased treatment which was used for this book. Will be most interesting to see what it was about.

  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    00Agent wrote: »
    Don't he have aquired his licence to kill by killing a Japonese in NY and a Norvegian ? What do they mean by "with the extraordinary story of how he got his licence to kill" and "It’s time for James Bond to earn his licence to kill" ?
    Perhaps it's about that.

    I think this is his first mission as a 00 (I'm guessing the description is a bit misleading, "how he got it" is probably just the old one dying, him being promoted).

    The way I've always taken the two kills idea is that two assassinations make you eligable but you're not automatically made a 00. The comment about Bond being prepared is probably talking about the two kills CR describes; they were preparing him and in the process of that he'd gotten his two kills, but things had to be bought forward when the old 007 was killed. Horowitz is a fan of the books and I doubt IFP would sign off on a massive retcon so I don't think we need to worry about CR being contradicted.

    I'm still not 100% sure about the idea, I don't think we really needed to read about any of his missions before CR. But Trigger Mortis was great so I have faith in him.
    That's actually a very good analysis, @thelivingroyale. I haven't thought of it that way before. Bond passing the K Protocol and instead of being promoted to 00-status instantly, got into the waiting list until there's a vacancy. Makes sense, to be honest.

    I wonder how Fleming would've set up the history of the 00-section, because I can't recall reading in the novels how and when it was initiated. It would've been interesting had he left notes previously unearthed.

    well, we haven't even discussed the possibility of whether that was actually in his unreleased treatment which was used for this book. Will be most interesting to see what it was about.
    Definitely. Looking forward to this book.
  • Posts: 2,917
    Very interesting concept, but why do all the post-Gardner Bonds have such bland titles? Forever and a Day sounds like a romance novel or a Jackie Wilson song (which it is actually).
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384
    I'm just happy it doesn't have Death, Die or Kill in the title.
  • Posts: 632
    And with Bond replacing 007, hopefully this will put to rest the whole "James Bond" is a code name nonsense once and for all
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    JET007 wrote: »
    And with Bond replacing 007, hopefully this will put to rest the whole "James Bond" is a code name nonsense once and for all
    Hear hear!
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384
    Given how many films had him in them. I'm surprised no one has claimed
    That Tarzan is a code name.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    Given how many films had him in them. I'm surprised no one has claimed
    That Tarzan is a code name.
    Don't worry. His day will come. ;)

    The only alternate spin on Tarzan and many other fictitious characters related that I appreciate is the Wold Newton interpretation of them, constructed beautifully by Philip José Farmer. Love that author, rest his soul.
  • Revelator wrote: »
    Very interesting concept, but why do all the post-Gardner Bonds have such bland titles? Forever and a Day sounds like a romance novel or a Jackie Wilson song (which it is actually).

    It is true that Fleming's titles - with the exception of TMWTGG - were pure genius and in PussyNoMore's not so humble opinion, amongst the strongest, if not the strongest in thriller history. He clearly had a bit of a Midas touch when it came to the naming game.

    PNM quite liked 'Solo' as a title but also liked the idea of Boyd writing a Bond novel. That turned out to be a double faux pas on Pussy's behalf.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 13,790
    Could have gone with a combination of old and new. Forever and a Die.

    Next stop: Down Under.
  • edited February 2018 Posts: 3,327
    Remington wrote: »
    Not a bad title. Although it made me think of Don't Go Away by Oasis. Lol love that song. Back in high school I actually wrote a prequel to the film version of Dr. No so I actually kind of dig this.

    That's where I've heard the phrase before - Oasis! I should have known that easily, seeing as it is my favourite album.

    Not overly keen on the title though. `Forever' and `Day' in the same title really is Bond by numbers. Stick a `Die' in their too and he would have hit the jackpot!

    It sounds like a title from the Brosnan era.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,271
    I never thought that there was a 007 before Bond. I guess it’s possible

    Yes, though it does sound disconcertingly like the Codename Theory, although I know it's not exactly the same thing of course!
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited February 2018 Posts: 18,271
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Not crazy about the title myself, but better than TRIGGER MORTIS (hate that title).

    Yes, it sounded a bit parody-like and daft. You get used to any of them with time apart from maybe No Deals, Mr Bond.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    edited February 2018 Posts: 15,423
    It'd make a great sixties-inspired spy fantasy title, though. Trigger Mortis, that is. Our Man Flint style of a spy flick. Kind of imagine a title sequence seen in The Liquidator.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited February 2018 Posts: 18,271
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Not crazy about the title myself, but better than TRIGGER MORTIS (hate that title).

    Yes, it sounded a bit parody-like and daft. You get used to any if them with time apart from maybe No Deals, Mr Bond.


    I actually like the title NO DEALS, MR. BOND simply because it's so unexpected and odd. Yet it sets a firm picture in the mind.

    Yes, it certainly has a direct quality and stands out because of it, for better or for worse!
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384
    I think by that stage a committee was coming up with the book titles not so
    Much John Gardner himself.
  • Beyond the title, the setting looks interesting.
    The French Riviera circa 1950 - a very chic epoch. PussyNoMore wonders if this is the only setting ?
  • 00Agent00Agent Any man who drinks Dom Perignon '52 can't be all bad.
    Posts: 5,185
    Beyond the title, the setting looks interesting.
    The French Riviera circa 1950 - a very chic epoch. PussyNoMore wonders if this is the only setting ?

    It's a great setting, i like it very much (going there for the first time this summer myself)
    but i am sure it won't be the only setting.
  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    Posts: 13,355
    I'm looking forward to getting here after reading the other 29 I have to first.
  • mybudgetbondmybudgetbond The World
    Posts: 189
    I recently finished every single available Bond novel (apart from Young Bond which I recently started). I have actually started to read some fan fiction novels (and very good they are too), so I am quite ready for a new Bond book!
  • WalecsWalecs On Her Majesty's Secret Service
    edited February 2018 Posts: 3,157
    Don't he have aquired his licence to kill by killing a Japonese in NY and a Norvegian ? What do they mean by "with the extraordinary story of how he got his licence to kill" and "It’s time for James Bond to earn his licence to kill" ?
    Perhaps it's about that.

    I think this is his first mission as a 00 (I'm guessing the description is a bit misleading, "how he got it" is probably just the old one dying, him being promoted).

    The way I've always taken the two kills idea is that two assassinations make you eligable but you're not automatically made a 00. The comment about Bond being prepared is probably talking about the two kills CR describes; they were preparing him and in the process of that he'd gotten his two kills, but things had to be bought forward when the old 007 was killed. Horowitz is a fan of the books and I doubt IFP would sign off on a massive retcon so I don't think we need to worry about CR being contradicted.

    I'm still not 100% sure about the idea, I don't think we really needed to read about any of his missions before CR. But Trigger Mortis was great so I have faith in him.

    I would have preferred an ending to an origin story to be honest, if they wanted to do something different. I think Fleming probably would have given him one eventually and I like the idea of a book about his last mission, set in the late 60s/early 70s.

    Well, we had that with Solo.
  • SeanCraigSeanCraig Germany
    Posts: 732
    I think I would not have hoped for a book where the story is set before Casino Royale but I am looking forward to it. I enjoyed reading Trigger Mortis (way way better than those previous continuation novels we got) so I will be more than happy reading it.
  • edited February 2018 Posts: 17,756
    Looking at it some more after the announcement; the Forever and a Day teaser cover is actually better than many recent (actual) book covers I've seen. Hopefully we'll get a really good book cover for this one!
  • Lancaster007Lancaster007 Shrublands Health Clinic, England
    Posts: 1,874
    Up for this, really enjoyed TR, hope this is as good…or even better.
  • PussyNoMore wonders if 'Forever And A Day' will bleed in to 'Casino Royale' in some way?
    Literary aficionados will remember that Le Chiffre was active in France, running a criminal empire, prior to the confrontation at Royale-Las-Eaux.
    Maybe Horowitz's epistle will feature a confrontation with Le Chiffre's No.2 in the way that Emilio Largo was centre stage with Blofeld lurking in the background.
    After all, the 'double villain' was one of Fleming's oft used tropes.
    PussyNoMore's imagination is running riot since his supposition that the new one would be a prequel to CR has proved to be an inspired guess.
    The cote d'azur in 1951, bring it on - this is the first Bond novel that will be set before PussyNoMore's birth - another first!
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    Brilliant idea! I hope it plays out in that manner.
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