I just finished Icebreaker by John Gardner. It was an OK book. I rate it a 6 out of 10. It lost a little something towards the end and Gardner threw in a couple too many twists and turns for my tastes. Gardner is definitely writing books about the movie Bond not the literary Bond. Next up, Role of Honor. I hope it is a little better novel than Icebreaker.
"A blunt instrument wielded by a Government department. Hard, ruthless, sardonic, fatalistic. He likes gambling, golf, fast motor cars. All his movements are relaxed and economical". Ian Fleming
Just finished R Benson's Union Trilogy,Very lack luster writing and little pace with any of these stories make me feel I might not bother with his last novel.Just get back to reading the Fleming books.
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
I'm a new member and this is my first post, so apologies if I say anything silly
I've just finished reading "You Only Live Twice" - I'm working my way through all of the books, in order, for the first time since I was a teenager (more years ago than I care to remember!).
I had originally been introduced to the books by my dad when I was about 13 and had finally, and reluctantly, left Enid Blyton behind and was looking for something new and exciting to read. He gave me Dr No and also something called "Modesty Blaise"which he thought, as a girl, I might identify with. Ms Blaise was abandoned very early on, but I stuck with Bond.
Now, after all these years, I am rediscovering them all, and realising how much went over my head as a teenager! But I am also having great fun realising how thrilling, nerve wracking and interesting these books are. Nothing like the films of course, and by today's politically correct standards maybe a tad dated, but I can live with that, I can even forgive Bond's attitude to women drivers!
Ian Fleming's writing is just brilliant, I still keep smiling to myself at a sentence from OHMSS when he describes "two golden girls in exciting bikinis" - which just conveys so much in so few words.
When I've finished the books I shall re-read Devil May Care and then I think I may have a bash at some of the other Bond fiction out there and see how it compares:)
There is only one Fleming.
Just finished Cold/Coldfall-WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?
I thought The Man From Barbossa was bad enough. Every other Gardner has at least some interesting hook or part. I stick up for JG and like his 007 generally-definitely not this one. I had to track a copy down in a different library in order to read (struggle) through. Even Colonel Sun was not this strange.
Am going to cleanse the palate with some thoughts in a D.B. III (Goldfinger).
BTW: How exactly is High Time To Kill boring? I always thought Benson infused 007 with some much needed energy.
superadoRegent's Park West (CaliforniaPosts: 2,656MI6 Agent
I'm reading By Royal Command, which I've saved as my vacation novel and I'm still at the Kitzbuhel part, but I'm loving it! It's been a while since I experienced a "reading pleasure!"
"...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
j.bladesCurrently? You must be joking?Posts: 530MI6 Agent
just finished frwl , pretty much the best book i have ever had the pleasure of reading and going to read dr. no, and on the side i just finished, no deals mr. bond which was also pretty good.
"I take a ridiculous pleasure in what I eat and drink."
Just finished Devil May Care. I really liked it. I know it has taken somewhat of a beating here but I enjoyed it. Maybe ten pages too long but the book had a good pace to it.
I am going to take a break and check out the Harry Potter books. When I return, going to start Moonraker.
j.bladesCurrently? You must be joking?Posts: 530MI6 Agent
just finished thunderball, very good book, and know going to bny the spy who loved me.
"I take a ridiculous pleasure in what I eat and drink."
Finished Licence Renewed. Now I'm going on to For Special Services.
I think John Gardner was a splendid writer; judging by this book alone, of course. He had a silky smooth narrative which was a joy to read. I very much enjoyed it.
Got the Penguin box set of Fleming's today from eBay. It includes 10 of the - ? - 14 novels he did, but it's a start.
j.bladesCurrently? You must be joking?Posts: 530MI6 Agent
having finished liscence renewed last week im now on the last chapter of the spy who loved, suprisingly its really good. and will read ohmss after looking forward to it. and some h how going to squeeze in hurricane gold and by royale command.
"I take a ridiculous pleasure in what I eat and drink."
Just finished Win, Lose, or Die. (Why does late Gardner make absolutely no sense??) Am now reading a couple of the Hardy Boys Casefiles. (always a nice little refresher-plus I like the idea of the Hardys in more of a real world setting.) Then will move on to Man from Barbarossa. Also recently read Silverfin.
j.bladesCurrently? You must be joking?Posts: 530MI6 Agent
just finished hurricane gold which was a nice read and ohmss , the latter is definetly in my top 5 :007) i'm sure i dont have to say how good the novel is you porbably already know , and going to start yolt.
"I take a ridiculous pleasure in what I eat and drink."
Just started Colonel Sun by Robert Markham (AKA Kingsley Amis) - it was recommended as one of the better 'non fleming' novels, and I have to say it's really good so far.
She's worth whatever chaos she brings to the table and you know it. ~ Mark Anthony
Colonel Sun is really the hidden gem of literary 007.
The Goldeneye novelization is average-and really short. Nowhere near as good as Gardner's earlier Licence to Kill.
Just got a copy of Christopher Wood's novelization of TSWLM-so I'm diving straight in.
Comments
enjoying it !
~ Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
I've just finished reading "You Only Live Twice" - I'm working my way through all of the books, in order, for the first time since I was a teenager (more years ago than I care to remember!).
I had originally been introduced to the books by my dad when I was about 13 and had finally, and reluctantly, left Enid Blyton behind and was looking for something new and exciting to read. He gave me Dr No and also something called "Modesty Blaise"which he thought, as a girl, I might identify with. Ms Blaise was abandoned very early on, but I stuck with Bond.
Now, after all these years, I am rediscovering them all, and realising how much went over my head as a teenager! But I am also having great fun realising how thrilling, nerve wracking and interesting these books are. Nothing like the films of course, and by today's politically correct standards maybe a tad dated, but I can live with that, I can even forgive Bond's attitude to women drivers!
Ian Fleming's writing is just brilliant, I still keep smiling to myself at a sentence from OHMSS when he describes "two golden girls in exciting bikinis" - which just conveys so much in so few words.
When I've finished the books I shall re-read Devil May Care and then I think I may have a bash at some of the other Bond fiction out there and see how it compares:)
Just finished Cold/Coldfall-WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?
I thought The Man From Barbossa was bad enough. Every other Gardner has at least some interesting hook or part. I stick up for JG and like his 007 generally-definitely not this one. I had to track a copy down in a different library in order to read (struggle) through. Even Colonel Sun was not this strange.
Am going to cleanse the palate with some thoughts in a D.B. III (Goldfinger).
BTW: How exactly is High Time To Kill boring? I always thought Benson infused 007 with some much needed energy.
~ Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
~ Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
finished CR but couldn't find LALD so I skipped
just found it so i'm doing a little jumpin round
I am going to take a break and check out the Harry Potter books. When I return, going to start Moonraker.
~ Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
I think John Gardner was a splendid writer; judging by this book alone, of course. He had a silky smooth narrative which was a joy to read. I very much enjoyed it.
Got the Penguin box set of Fleming's today from eBay. It includes 10 of the - ? - 14 novels he did, but it's a start.
~ Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
~ Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
The Goldeneye novelization is average-and really short. Nowhere near as good as Gardner's earlier Licence to Kill.
Just got a copy of Christopher Wood's novelization of TSWLM-so I'm diving straight in.