I would recommend any and all Bond literature; have fun with the stories, enjoy them, regardless of the author. While I am a huge fan of Fleming (who isnt), I have thoroughly enjoyed the Gardner novels and a few from Benson. Devil May Care and Carte Blanche were a welcome read as I simply enjoy anything that carries on the Bond literary tradition. Dont limit your enjoyment; please read them all. BTW, Colonel Sun is amazing and so is Gardner's Ice Breaker.
Strange as it may seem but what got me into James Bond was Licence Renewed. Read it, love it and then went to the local book exchange and bought all of the Flemings - grand total of £3.25. Loved the Flemings immensely, each one was a discovery and a new experience.
I've re-read them all several times but nothing beats the first time reading. Went back to John Gardener after I had done the Flemings, then Kingsley Amis and then into Benson's tenure and so on.
Well these aren't truly Bond-centric novels but I did enjoy the Moneypenny Diaries. This is a trilogy based on the "diaries" of the famous secretrary. They follow the chronology of the Fleming novels and you see some of the background headquarters activities. Moneypenny does go to the field a few times. The first novel is the best. The next two seemed to wander a bit with a mystery to be solved. I would definity recommend reading the first one and then continuing with the others if you enjoyed it.
Bond: "But who would want to kill me, sir?"
M: "Jealous husbands, outraged chefs, humiliated tailors . . . the list is endless."
I just finished reading Nobody Lives Forever by John Gardner. I liked it. It wasn't Fleming, and I kept thinking this was written for Connery or Moore in mind..but it was fun and I think it would make a great movie.
Now, on to something else,,,,Maybe Colonel sun.
"I don't know if the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or imbeciles who mean it."-Mark Twain
'Just because nobody complains doesn't mean all parachutes are perfect.'- Benny Hill (1924-1992)
Comments
I've re-read them all several times but nothing beats the first time reading. Went back to John Gardener after I had done the Flemings, then Kingsley Amis and then into Benson's tenure and so on.
My favourites are (in order):
1. Casino Royale
2. OHMSS
3. High Time To Kill
4. Licence Renewed
5. Icebreaker
M: "Jealous husbands, outraged chefs, humiliated tailors . . . the list is endless."
Now, on to something else,,,,Maybe Colonel sun.
'Just because nobody complains doesn't mean all parachutes are perfect.'- Benny Hill (1924-1992)