Once you start Gardner, where is a good place to stop?

chrisisall

Now I have his first five.



So what I'm asking is for opinions of where one should stop, in other words, what is his first 'bad' novel, because I want to read up to but not including that.

Thanks in advance. -{

chrisno1

Nice picture.
Honestly, I'd read the first three and stop. -{

You'll get a whole host of different opinions here - just ask Silhouette Man ! - but for my two pennies Role Of Honour is a big drop in standard from Icebreaker; it is a slap-dash workmanlike piece with little character development and even less action.
FSS is probably the most Fleming-esque and Icebreaker is the most Gardner-esque. You might find some sections of Licence Renewed a drag but stick with it. It's a good set up for the rest of the series.
If you want to read more, tread carefully...

chrisisall

chrisno1 wrote:

Nice picture.

Thanks; the gun's just an airsoft. ;%

Honestly, I'd read the first three and stop. -{
for my two pennies Role Of Honour is a big drop in standard from Icebreaker; it is a slap-dash workmanlike piece with little character development and even less action.

As a fan of John Glen's work, 'workmanlike' doesn't sound altogether bad...

FSS is probably the most Fleming-esque and Icebreaker is the most Gardner-esque. You might find some sections of Licence Renewed a drag but stick with it. It's a good set up for the rest of the series.

I will! Thanks!

If you want to read more, tread carefully...

Based on what you so eloquently posted in http://www.ajb007.co.uk/topic/34464/bond-continuation-novel-reviews/ as well as what Sir Miles posted in another thread

Licence Renewed = good
For Special Services = okay
Icebreaker = very good
Role of Honour = generally gets a poor deal - but it's one I really like
Nobody Lives For Ever = very good
No Deals, Mr. Bond = good

, I decided to give at least the first five a try, and if I like them all, I'll go for No Deals, Mr. Bond as you BOTH seem to like it (you gave it a 7/10; Sir Miles rates it 'good' ).

Anyway, I was wanting to see what other readers had to say where to stop as well...

Silhouette Man

Probably read up until Win, Lose or Die (1989), in the 1990s Gardner begins to experiment after that, with mixed results and that's coming from a Gardner fan!

chrisisall

Thanks, SM! I shall consider it!

chrisno1

chrisisall wrote:

if I like them all, I'll go for No Deals, Mr. Bond as you BOTH seem to like it (you gave it a 7/10; Sir Miles rates it 'good' ).

NDMB is certainly worth a look. If I recall, it was the atmosphere as much as the characters which made that one great. Some real skulduggery and violent nastiness for Bond to endure and the wonderful Big Thumb Chang - a great literary cameo!

chrisisall

chrisno1 wrote:

NDMB is certainly worth a look.

I'm pretty certain based on what you, Silhouette Man & Sir Miles suggest that I will read at least up 'till there, thanks! -{

chrisisall

Silhouette Man wrote:

Probably read up until Win, Lose or Die (1989)

Research shows that George Dubya Bush is featured/mentioned in that one, I may have to pass on that basis alone...

davidelliott101

Cold Fall?

Silhouette Man

chrisisall wrote:

Silhouette Man wrote:

Probably read up until Win, Lose or Die (1989)

Research shows that George Dubya Bush is featured/mentioned in that one, I may have to pass on that basis alone...

No, not Dubya, but his father George Bush!

chrisisall

Silhouette Man wrote:

No, not Dubya, but his father George Bush!

;%

Silhouette Man

davidelliott101 wrote:

Cold Fall?

This would be my alternative recommendation too - plus read the UK editions instead - they are much more complete from an editorial point of view!

Sir Miles

If I were you...I'd read them all...just don't expect too much from the latter half...

Thunderpussy

My thoughs are, that I want to see all the Bond films and read all the Bond
Novels. Good, bad and indifferent.

chrisisall

Thunderpussy wrote:

My thoughs are, that I want to see all the Bond films and read all the Bond
Novels. Good, bad and indifferent.

But the time investment in a questionable novel is far greater than the measly 2 hrs it takes to watch DAD...

I just ordered No Deals. Mr. Bond.

Thunderpussy

Luckily I'm a fast reader, Devil May Care. I read over a few Hours.
I tend to speed read them first ( as I'm usually so excited as it's a new story ) )
then later I take my time re-reading it.
I'd much rather of read a Bad Bond Novel Than worry for years that I was missing
something.

chrisisall

Thunderpussy wrote:

I'd much rather of read a Bad Bond Novel Than worry for years that I was missing
something.

That makes sense. B-)
I'm a slow reader for pleasure, and if I'm rushing, it's still three sittings.

AlphaOmegaSin

Are the Gardner Books Cannon to the original Flemming Novels?

chrisisall

AlphaOmegaSin wrote:

Are the Gardner Books Cannon to the original Flemming Novels?

Canon, as in the works of a writer that have been accepted as authentic?
I don't know... ?:)

AlphaOmegaSin

chrisisall wrote:

AlphaOmegaSin wrote:

Are the Gardner Books Cannon to the original Flemming Novels?

Canon, as in the works of a writer that have been accepted as authentic?
I don't know... ?:)

I mean, do they take place right after the Flemming Novels, or Years after?

chrisisall

AlphaOmegaSin wrote:

I mean, do they take place right after the Fleming Novels, or Years after?

Gardner's books are set some years after the Fleming ones, and Bond is also a bit older as well, late fourties I think.

chrisisall

Got it!

$4.25 with shipping!
I'm a happy Bond camper.