Did Flemings Talent Drop as the Series went on?
Smoke_13
Kitchener Ont CanadaPosts: 285MI6 Agent
Yeah, I know this is perhaps a slightly unpopular topic to post.
I've been reading my way through the novels. I just finished up "The Spy Who Loved Me." This was in my opinion one of the shortest and most difficult Bonds to read. It was more a chore than a pleasure for me to read this book. The whole second character perspective did nothing for me.
I found when I read Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, and Moonraker they were all page turners and I couldn't wait to see what came next. But lately its been a struggle to get through Flemings works. I didn't enjoy Thunderball much either -maybe because the film spoiled it for me.
Has anyone else noticed this? Do the books near the end of the series somehow recapture some of that original magic? Did Fleming begin to "mail it in" near the end of the series? Is it just me?
I've been reading my way through the novels. I just finished up "The Spy Who Loved Me." This was in my opinion one of the shortest and most difficult Bonds to read. It was more a chore than a pleasure for me to read this book. The whole second character perspective did nothing for me.
I found when I read Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, and Moonraker they were all page turners and I couldn't wait to see what came next. But lately its been a struggle to get through Flemings works. I didn't enjoy Thunderball much either -maybe because the film spoiled it for me.
Has anyone else noticed this? Do the books near the end of the series somehow recapture some of that original magic? Did Fleming begin to "mail it in" near the end of the series? Is it just me?
Comments
So to answer your particular question, I would say that Fleming does recapture the original magic, although it is a slightly different guise - a little darker and more serious at times. However, the quality is undeniable and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
I have always had trouble with his US Gangsters, and if there is any stereotypes in IF's canon - they are the victims. But if one considers the novels are from the 1950's, I'll give Fleming the benefit of the doubt.
As for TSWLM, even IF turned a cold shoulder to this novel. But of all his novels, it was this one with which he took the most risks. And is worthy of some study.
For a fellow with Fleming's background, writing as a 20+ year old Canadian female - living on a Vespa Scooter - that's a stretch!!! I think on whole it is an interesting treatment, and would have made a great screenplay - even though Fleming specifically declared only the title could be used by EON. I just purchased it on CD and am looking forward to hearing it read with a female voice, I think it will be fun!
On whole, some Bond novels shine better than others. While IF may have mis-stepped now and again, his talent and imagination was there until the end.The only novel I have always been suspicious of is TMWTGG, since it was unfinished when IF passed and was "adjusted" by others.
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
Then again, I love the least of his Bond novels---Yes, I still enjoy TSWLM every time I read it! :007) And I like DAF more than anyone else I know.
* Obviously not including the also-posthumous OP collection of shorts,
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
I agree, seeing that HB beat me in posting exactly what I was going to post, word-by-word...chilling. Anyway, Fleming did seem highly self aware earlier on and had an emphasis on craft and the step by step on thrillers. He really relaxes later on and occasionally with great relief like unbuttoning one's pants at the buffet restaurant. In my teens, I got bored by the later novels and only now did I discover the true gems of Fleming's thoughts and reflections peeking through the lines.
Dont judge the end of the novels based on The Spy who loved, in fact - I'd list On her majesty's Secret Service as one of the strongest of the entire series.
I re-read the Fleming novels about once every 2 - 3 years. Reading them in order does raise questions about Fleming's life, ability and ambition.
For instance, the short stories in FYEO were tentative treatments for a proposed 007 TV series. While FRWL and TSWLM are Fleming experiments. Regarding the latter, the early part of the novel, where the gives flesh to his heroine, and to the gangsters, is excellent. But once Bond turns up, it gets quite comic strip and at times I find the action repetitive and dull. It is a difficult read.
I often feel Fleming lost interest in his novels (TB is a good example as it tails off to a very unsatisfactory climax) but his writing style gets better. The punchyness of CR and LALD, while with it's merits, isn't a patch on the descriptions and dialouge in YOLT and OHMSS.
TMWTGG is a poor novel (unrefined and reading like a 2-bit western) which isn't a fitting end to Fleming's career.
Better to celebrate his high points: FRWL, OHMSS & YOLT, all three novels have well etched characters, great storylines and taut action scenes. IMO the Best of Bond in Print.
I understand Fleming had writer's block half way through, hence his struggle around the Thunderball era and why he nicked the film treatment for his next novel, it made things easier for him. Of course, TB kickstarted the whole SPECTRE thing as Blofeld was not held to justice at the end of it and could return again and again; there may be some justice in McClory's claim that this treatment added much to the film series, esp as Spectre featured so heavily in the defining 60s era, even popping up in Dr No, FRWL and DAF where it had no right to be.
I think broadly speaking his writing got more travelogue later on but the broad concepts were more vivid. Bond was less the gumshoe of LALD and DAF, more a real bloke rather than a blunt instrument.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
That's an amusing statement from a fellow whose own imitation of Fleming is about 80 degrees off! Fleming's "worst" is infinitely better than anything in DMC.
I would hazard that what gives rise to this notion of diminished talent was the fact that TMWTGG was unfinished when IF passed. Had IF the chance to finish that novel, I think it would be much more highly regarded - it certainly has elements that are quite unique - the brainwashing of Bond, and M sending Bond on what he knows to be almost certain death by squaring oo7 off with the deadliest killer in the Western Hemisphere!
Fleming may have become a bit bored with Bond, and after 10 years prehaps the "juices" didn't flow as quickly as they did in 1953 - but he was far from "diminished". Had IF lived I am sure he would have turned his writing talents in other areas and would have recaptured his "zest". God knows he passed way too soon!
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
For me You Only Live Twice is quite significantly above most of Fleming's other output, although Casino Royale and From Russia with Love also point to a far more thoughtful writer than he his detractors would allow. YOLT does indeed have some wonderful themes woven into it, especially the haunting ruminations on death and re-birth. I do not think Fleming's talent dropped off -- in my opinion his 'off' novels are dotted throughout his output, from Live and Let Die and Diamonds Are Forever amongst his earlier stuff, to The Spy Who Loved Me and The Man with the Golden Gun (albeit unfinished) amongst his later works. Fleming was a thriller writer par excellence, although there were several creative misfires.
While Fleming may have modestly proclaimed his writing as less than stellar, his overall impact transends that of "serious" ... artsy authors like Hemingway and Fitzgerald whose works today are worshiped by the academic community - but pretty under the radar as far as the public is concerned.
So while meaning of the term "serious" may be debated, I submit that Ian Fleming is certainly one of the most influental and enduring authors of the 20th Century!
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Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
Since that time, I have read the two highly praised books by Fleming "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" and "You Only Live Twice."
I felt that Fleming certainly recaptured his Bondian magic in OHMSS. I kept wanted to read more. The ski chase scene was written so well I could see every detail of it in my mind's eye. In fact, the whole book was great. I will even confess to getting a little teary eyed at the end of it, and I've known the outcome of that story for a good 25 years now.
"You Only Live Twice" left me a little hot and cold. On the cold side, I didn't really care about any of the characters in that book at all. Dikko and Tiger meant nothing to me and Bond's whole acclimation to the Oriental lifestyle left me only moderately interested -the live lobster was a nice touch.
However, the final 3 or 4 chapters of that book were in my opinion once again Fleming at his best. I could not put it down.
So, since I started this thread I think I'll attempt to close it by answering my own question. Fleming's talent did not drop as the series went on. He like most authors, experienced high points and low points in his career. I bet there were times when Fleming submitted material for his Bond books that he personally felt were "good enough" at the time.
But when Fleming was on his A game, and he showed that his A game was still there near the end of the series, I believe only a scant few could actually tell a story better.
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
I wouldn't say Fleming's talent suffers in any aspect throughout the series. Sure, some books are better than others, some flow faster, some are less serious and more enjoyable. I certainly believe Fleming altered his style at points, and obviously some of these alterations don't suit some people's reading tastes.
My personal favourite is From Russia With Love; which for me has the perfect blend of detail, action, intensity and escapism. FRWL is one of the 'middle' books, but two other populars appear at either end of the series: Casino Royale and On Her Majesty's Secret Service, so I think Fleming's longevity as a great writer shows !
Recently I purchased it on CD, I figured that listening to the novel, read by a female would enhance the expierence. I have found it did not!
Miss Michel's exploits, have a slightly pornographic quality that I don't like. It's not that they are graphic, but the words don't ring true for the "female" voice of the charecter. Prehaps by being "male" I am at a disadvantage in making this accessment, and should defer to a female reader.
When Bond arrives the book improves. So it is by no means a total loss. It's just .... a bit wierd for my taste.
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
Moonraker has always been one of my favourites and Gala my favourite Bond girl. I liked the strangeness of having Bond in Englandand & Drax is one of the best villains. I would love Moonraker to be filmed 'properly' one day.
A very morbid and unpatriotic finale for a British icon. It would affect the whole way he's viewed ever since.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
I find The Man with the Golden Gun an interesting novel for a variety of reasons, although I think there is little doubt that it is nothing compared to YOLT. In this respect I think Kingsley Amis's criticisms of it were pretty much accurate.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Fleming wrote to his editor more than once that he wished to kill Bond off. FRWL ends the way it does because he wasn't sure if he wanted to continue the series.