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How many Bond novels have you actually read?

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  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Creasy47 wrote:
    I have read CR and FRWL. I've wanted to finish up the Millennium trilogy, then pick up a random novel I have - perhaps restart/continue the Ted Bell/Alexander Hawke series - and then buy more Fleming novels to read, including the short stories in QoS.

    What book of the Millennium trilogy are you on @Creasy47? I finished TGWTDT a while back and have been itching to get other reading out of the way to get on the other two. Probably summer reading.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,959
    @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7, I'm nearly 100 pages through of TGWPWF, and it's really good. I won't give anything away, but the first 50 pages or so seem to be very different. I'm really enjoying it, piecing all the characters together, trying to get them as familiar with TGWTDT film as I am.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Creasy47 wrote:
    @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7, I'm nearly 100 pages through of TGWPWF, and it's really good. I won't give anything away, but the first 50 pages or so seem to be very different. I'm really enjoying it, piecing all the characters together, trying to get them as familiar with TGWTDT film as I am.
    Is that the third one?
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,959
    Nah, that's the second one, @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7. Took me a while to realize which was which, as well. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, then The Girl Who Played With Fire, and finally, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest.
  • dragonskydragonsky
    Posts: 2,491
    Well I guess i will get FRWL if they don't have CR.
    I think they had like 7 novels.
    I can't remember of them all.I know they had TLD short stories, DN,FRWL and that is all I can remember.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Creasy47 wrote:
    Nah, that's the second one, @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7. Took me a while to realize which was which, as well. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, then The Girl Who Played With Fire, and finally, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest.

    If CR is there, fight for it, I tell you it is amazing with a capital A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,959
    dragonsky wrote:
    Well I guess i will get FRWL if they don't have CR.
    I think they had like 7 novels.
    I can't remember of them all.I know they had TLD short stories, DN,FRWL and that is all I can remember.

    It seems to be hit and miss, if you're talking about a book store. Some of them I enter, they won't have a single Fleming novel in sight. Others, they have at least one copy of each novel. I need to start purchasing them when I see them in stock, so I don't have to go through that.
  • dragonskydragonsky
    Posts: 2,491
    Only 1 Bond book is translated into my language and that is DMC.
    Now there is a book fair and i found some Bond novels in english.I hope they won't be simplyfied books just cause they are on english and that they will have all pages.
    Cause DMC looked like a short book to me 250 pages or so.
  • CipherCipher
    edited April 2012 Posts: 128
    The Fleming books are quite short. CR is only about 130 pages and I think FRWL is the longest at about 250. So don't think they're abridged just because they're not as thick as the Lord of the Rings - after all Fleming was knocking these out on his summer holidays.

    I'd recommend CR, MR and FRWL if you can get them. Probably avoid TSWLM as its written in a different style from the rest so its not a classic Fleming.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Cipher wrote:
    The Fleming books are quite short. CR is only about 130 pages and I think FRWL is the longest at about 250. So don't think they're abridged just because they're not as thick as the Lord of the Rings - after all Fleming was knocking these out on his summer holidays.

    I'd recommend CR, MR and FRWL if you can get them. Probably avoid TSWLM as its written in a different style from the rest so its not a classic Fleming.
    How is TSWLM written different? I'm interested to know.
  • CipherCipher
    edited April 2012 Posts: 128
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    How is TSWLM written different? I'm interested to know.
    Spy's written in the first person from Viv Michel's perspective - so we only get her thoughts, only see what she sees. The rest of the books are written in the third person with an omniscient narrator that allows the reader to see events from the perspective of different characters and get their thoughts. Fleming usually stuck pretty close to Bond's POV (for obvious reasons), and I think one of the strengths of the novels is the that you get to read what Bond is thinking as events unfold. With TSWLM that aspect is missing. So, while you still get some of the Fleming touches like the grotesque villain and the detailed description of food, TSWLM is clearly different from the rest of Fleming's stories and I think it suffers a little because of it.
  • DB5DB5
    Posts: 408
    dragonsky wrote:
    Hey fellas i need quick help. So far i've only read DMC cause that is the only book translated in my language. But there is book fair this week so i found the Ian Flaming novels on english. I plan on buying some books tomorow but i don't have money for all of them. What are the top 3 books that you will recomend to me?

    Casino Royale, On Her Majesty's Secret Service and From Russia With Love.

  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Cipher wrote:
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    How is TSWLM written different? I'm interested to know.
    Spy's written in the first person from Viv Michel's perspective - so we only get her thoughts, only see what she sees. The rest of the books are written in the third person with an omniscient narrator that allows the reader to see events from the perspective of different characters and get their thoughts. Fleming usually stuck pretty close to Bond's POV (for obvious reasons), and I think one of the strengths of the novels is the that you get to read what Bond is thinking as events unfold. With TSWLM that aspect is missing. So, while you still get some of the Fleming touches like the grotesque villain and the detailed description of food, TSWLM is clearly different from the rest of Fleming's stories and I think it suffers a little because of it.
    Wow, I never knew that about TSWLM. Crap...
  • CipherCipher
    Posts: 128
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    Wow, I never knew that about TSWLM. Crap...

    It's not too bad - mainly the first third that is a bit of chore as it deals with Viv's life before she ends up at the hotel. Its a bit soap opera-ish and not something that Fleming excels at.
  • dragonskydragonsky
    Posts: 2,491
    Well they didn't had CR or OHMSS so i ended up getting FRWL,GF and TSWLM
  • CipherCipher
    Posts: 128
    A shame you couldn't get CR, but its good you were able to get your hands on some Fleming novels. Hope you enjoy the books dragonsky!
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    edited April 2012 Posts: 24,158
    Cipher wrote:
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    How is TSWLM written different? I'm interested to know.
    Spy's written in the first person from Viv Michel's perspective - so we only get her thoughts, only see what she sees. The rest of the books are written in the third person with an omniscient narrator that allows the reader to see events from the perspective of different characters and get their thoughts. Fleming usually stuck pretty close to Bond's POV (for obvious reasons), and I think one of the strengths of the novels is the that you get to read what Bond is thinking as events unfold. With TSWLM that aspect is missing. So, while you still get some of the Fleming touches like the grotesque villain and the detailed description of food, TSWLM is clearly different from the rest of Fleming's stories and I think it suffers a little because of it.

    Actually I like the fact that we get a story from a completely different perspective. The idea of an ordinary girl ending up in an extraordinary situation, putting her in fact in a rather tense and dangerous position, with non other than James Bond knocking on the door by sheer happenstance, is one of Fleming's more creative touches IMO. Too bad the master himself wasn't too pleased with the result.
  • CipherCipher
    Posts: 128
    DarthDimi wrote:
    Actually I like the fact that we get a story from a completely different perspective. The idea of an ordinary girl ending up in an extraordinary situation, putting her in fact in a rather tense and dangerous position, with non other than James Bond knocking on the door by sheer happenstance, is one of Fleming's more creative touches IMO. Too bad the master himself wasn't too pleased with the result.
    I'll agree it wasn't a bad idea, and once Horror and Sluggsy show up the novel's an okay read, but not up to the standard of the other Flemings I've read. I found the "Me" section pretty cringeworthy in parts and, although its just 60 pages, it was pretty tedious to get through. I think Spy also suffers from the fact there is no real plot - it's basically a couple of thugs show up, then Bond shows up, stuff happens. I think Spy would have made a great short story, or made a good part of a larger narrative, but as a novel it falls short.
  • ThepastykidThepastykid
    edited September 2012 Posts: 553
    I am reading the Fleming books in order. Previously, I read a couple of the Benson books in the late-90s - Zero Minus Ten and The Facts of Death. I wasn't wild about either. Anyway, I am as far as about halfway through From Russia With Love and it is seriously blowing me away - I started it this morning! Of those I have read over the last few weeks I loved Casino Royale; it really reoriented who I thought James Bond was (though the 2006 film did hint at many of the same characteristics). I did not enjoy Live and Let Die or Diamonds are Forever - the latter of which I finished last night and went straight on to FRWL today to try to get something more positive going, as I had found DAF a chore once Bond got to the US. In between those two I read Moonraker and really enjoyed it. I thought it gave a great insight into Bond's life and routine. Anyway, looking forward to the rest - particularly OHMSS as it is my favourite film and I have heard the film was a faithful adaptation.
  • GrantGrant
    Posts: 140
    Have read them all bar The Spy Who Loved Me and For Your Eyes Only (just can't get my hands on them). Have read the others at least twice (currently picking pieces out of On Her Majesty's Secret Service).

    Some books are stronger than others. My favourites would be Moonraker, Thunderball and On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

    I find Dr No, on the whole, to be underwhelming.

    My favourite would be Moonraker. The game of Bridge, Drax and the ending!
  • DB5DB5
    Posts: 408
    Since I started reading Bond this past March I've read:

    All of the Flemings (including all the short stories)

    Amis' "Colonel Sun"

    Deaver's "Carte Blanche"

    Faulk's "Devil May Care"

    :Gardner's "Nobody Lives Forever"

    Also a little more than half way through Gardner's "Icebreaker"
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    Thepastykid wrote:
    I am reading the Fleming books in order. Previously, I read a couple of the Benson books in the late-90s - Zero Minus Ten and The Facts of Death. I wasn't wild about either. Anyway, I am as far as about halfway through From Russia With Love and it is seriously blowing me away - I started it this morning! Of those I have read over the last few weeks I loved Casino Royale; it really reoriented who I thought James Bond was (though the 2006 film did hint at many of the same characteristics). I did not enjoy Live and Let Die or Diamonds are Forever - the latter of which I finished last night and went straight on to FRWL today to try to get something more positive going, as I had found DAF a chore once Bond got to the US. In between those two I read Moonraker and really enjoyed it. I thought it gave a great insight into Bond's life and routine. Anyway, looking forward to the rest - particularly OHMSS as it is my favourite film and I have heard the film was a faithful adaptation.


    Agree with you on LALD and DAF - I find them pretty dull. In fact I think all novels that are set in the US suffer a bit from this to some degree or other. I'm not being anti American here, I just dont think Bond works as well over there as it does in the cold war theatre of Europe. The films suffer from the same problem whenever they cross the pond.

    MR is one of the best but as youre only half way through FRWL the best is yet to come. Last third is awesome.
    And OHMSS wont disappoint either. The bit with the Rolex is quality and one of my few gripes with OHMSS the film is this moment didnt make the cut.

    CR and MR are superb as is FRWL. Of the latter era books I would say the second half of DN, the first half of GF, all of OHMSS and most of YOLT reach that level.
    TSWLM is probably Flemings DAD - although it doesnt quite plumb those depths - but the last third is perfectly up to snuff.
  • ThepastykidThepastykid
    edited September 2012 Posts: 553
    TheWizardOfIce wrote:
    Thepastykid wrote:
    I am reading tIhe Fleming books in order. Previously, I read a couple of the Benson books in the late-90s - Zero Minus Ten and The Facts of Death. I wasn't wild about either. Anyway, I am as far as about halfway through From Russia With Love and it is seriously blowing me away - I started it this morning! Of those I have read over the last few weeks I loved Casino Royale; it really reoriented who I thought James Bond was (though the 2006 film did hint at many of the same characteristics). I did not enjoy Live and Let Die or Diamonds are Forever - the latter of which I finished last night and went straight on to FRWL today to try to get something more positive going, as I had found DAF a chore once Bond got to the US. In between those two I read Moonraker and really enjoyed it. I thought it gave a great insight into Bond's life and routine. Anyway, looking forward to the rest - particularly OHMSS as it is my favourite film and I have heard the film was a faithful adaptation.


    Agree with you on LALD and DAF - I find them pretty dull. In fact I think all novels that are set in the US suffer a bit from this to some degree or other. I'm not being anti American here, I just dont think Bond works as well over there as it does in the cold war theatre of Europe. The films suffer from the same problem whenever they cross the pond.

    MR is one of the best but as youre only half way through FRWL the best is yet to come. Last third is awesome.
    And OHMSS wont disappoint either. The bit with the Rolex is quality and one of my few gripes with OHMSS the film is this moment didnt make the cut.

    CR and MR are superb as is FRWL. Of the latter era books I would say the second half of DN, the first half of GF, all of OHMSS and most of YOLT reach that level.
    TSWLM is probably Flemings DAD - although it doesnt quite plumb those depths - but the last third is perfectly up to snuff.

    I finished frwl yesterday and you were right what a terrific book. Looking forward to the rest. Can't believe I took so long to get to these. Anyway I do agree on the America thing. I think it is a mixture of the literary Bond not really fitting in and Fleming not having much feel of affection for the US of that era. My take on the books I have read so far broadly matches yours so interested in where it goes next. So far DAF aside I have found Fleming superb at closing his books. Moonraker finished so strongly as did CR and FRWL.
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    edited September 2012 Posts: 9,117
    Thepastykid wrote:
    I finished frwl yesterday and you were right what a terrific book. Looking forward to the rest. Can't believe I took so long to get to these. Anyway I do agree on the America thing. I think it is a mixture of the literary Bond not really fitting in and Fleming not having much feel of affection for the US of that era. My take on the books I have read so far broadly matches yours so interested in where it goes next. So far DAF aside I have found Fleming superb at closing his books. Moonraker finished so strongly as did CR and FRWL.

    DN next for you, the book that provoked this classic review (minor spoilers so read the book first):

    http://www.newstatesman.com/society/2007/02/1958-bond-fleming-girl-sex

    What a histrionic prick - 'Sex, snobbery and sadism!' and he thinks that will put people off? Thats the attraction of Bond you cretin. I think this was one of the reviews that most boosted sales actually.
  • BAIN123BAIN123
    Posts: 11,189
    TheWizardOfIce wrote:
    Thepastykid wrote:
    I finished frwl yesterday and you were right what a terrific book. Looking forward to the rest. Can't believe I took so long to get to these. Anyway I do agree on the America thing. I think it is a mixture of the literary Bond not really fitting in and Fleming not having much feel of affection for the US of that era. My take on the books I have read so far broadly matches yours so interested in where it goes next. So far DAF aside I have found Fleming superb at closing his books. Moonraker finished so strongly as did CR and FRWL.

    DN next for you, the book that provoked this classic review (minor spoilers so read the book first):

    http://www.newstatesman.com/society/2007/02/1958-bond-fleming-girl-sex

    What a histrionic prick - 'Sex, snobbery and sadism!' and he thinks that will put people off? Thats the attraction of Bond you cretin. I think this was one of the reviews that most boosted sales actually.

    Just started re-reading LALD. Good book so far but a tad racist :p
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    BAIN123 wrote:
    TheWizardOfIce wrote:
    Thepastykid wrote:
    I finished frwl yesterday and you were right what a terrific book. Looking forward to the rest. Can't believe I took so long to get to these. Anyway I do agree on the America thing. I think it is a mixture of the literary Bond not really fitting in and Fleming not having much feel of affection for the US of that era. My take on the books I have read so far broadly matches yours so interested in where it goes next. So far DAF aside I have found Fleming superb at closing his books. Moonraker finished so strongly as did CR and FRWL.

    DN next for you, the book that provoked this classic review (minor spoilers so read the book first):

    http://www.newstatesman.com/society/2007/02/1958-bond-fleming-girl-sex

    What a histrionic prick - 'Sex, snobbery and sadism!' and he thinks that will put people off? Thats the attraction of Bond you cretin. I think this was one of the reviews that most boosted sales actually.

    Just started re-reading LALD. Good book so far but a tad racist :p
    A tad? I see we haven't hit chapter seven yet.
    :|
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    BAIN123 wrote:
    TheWizardOfIce wrote:
    Thepastykid wrote:
    I finished frwl yesterday and you were right what a terrific book. Looking forward to the rest. Can't believe I took so long to get to these. Anyway I do agree on the America thing. I think it is a mixture of the literary Bond not really fitting in and Fleming not having much feel of affection for the US of that era. My take on the books I have read so far broadly matches yours so interested in where it goes next. So far DAF aside I have found Fleming superb at closing his books. Moonraker finished so strongly as did CR and FRWL.

    DN next for you, the book that provoked this classic review (minor spoilers so read the book first):

    http://www.newstatesman.com/society/2007/02/1958-bond-fleming-girl-sex

    What a histrionic prick - 'Sex, snobbery and sadism!' and he thinks that will put people off? Thats the attraction of Bond you cretin. I think this was one of the reviews that most boosted sales actually.

    Just started re-reading LALD. Good book so far but a tad racist :p
    A tad? I see we haven't hit chapter seven yet.
    :|

    Or you could say its quite ahead of its time in showing black people in a position of power.

  • JWESTBROOKJWESTBROOK
    Posts: 5,745
    TheWizardOfIce wrote:
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    BAIN123 wrote:
    TheWizardOfIce wrote:
    Thepastykid wrote:
    I finished frwl yesterday and you were right what a terrific book. Looking forward to the rest. Can't believe I took so long to get to these. Anyway I do agree on the America thing. I think it is a mixture of the literary Bond not really fitting in and Fleming not having much feel of affection for the US of that era. My take on the books I have read so far broadly matches yours so interested in where it goes next. So far DAF aside I have found Fleming superb at closing his books. Moonraker finished so strongly as did CR and FRWL.

    DN next for you, the book that provoked this classic review (minor spoilers so read the book first):

    http://www.newstatesman.com/society/2007/02/1958-bond-fleming-girl-sex

    What a histrionic prick - 'Sex, snobbery and sadism!' and he thinks that will put people off? Thats the attraction of Bond you cretin. I think this was one of the reviews that most boosted sales actually.

    Just started re-reading LALD. Good book so far but a tad racist :p
    A tad? I see we haven't hit chapter seven yet.
    :|

    Or you could say its quite ahead of its time in showing black people in a position of power.

    By portraying them as villains. It's a racist book. Final.
  • BAIN123BAIN123
    Posts: 11,189
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    BAIN123 wrote:
    TheWizardOfIce wrote:
    Thepastykid wrote:
    I finished frwl yesterday and you were right what a terrific book. Looking forward to the rest. Can't believe I took so long to get to these. Anyway I do agree on the America thing. I think it is a mixture of the literary Bond not really fitting in and Fleming not having much feel of affection for the US of that era. My take on the books I have read so far broadly matches yours so interested in where it goes next. So far DAF aside I have found Fleming superb at closing his books. Moonraker finished so strongly as did CR and FRWL.

    DN next for you, the book that provoked this classic review (minor spoilers so read the book first):

    http://www.newstatesman.com/society/2007/02/1958-bond-fleming-girl-sex

    What a histrionic prick - 'Sex, snobbery and sadism!' and he thinks that will put people off? Thats the attraction of Bond you cretin. I think this was one of the reviews that most boosted sales actually.

    Just started re-reading LALD. Good book so far but a tad racist :p
    A tad? I see we haven't hit chapter seven yet.
    :|

    I was joking. I have read the book before. I've just got past the bit where Bond and Felix are watching an erotic dance routine at a Harlem bar and the crowd are referred to as "pigs at the trough".

    Another thing. "GG" is often referred to. You reckon this could have been one of the more subtle references in DAD?
  • Mark59Mark59
    Posts: 27
    I have read all of them. The Flemings I have read multiple times.
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