I've just finished reading Diamonds are Forever (for the first time!) and... I agree: it's a brilliant and action-packed story. However, one does get rather bogged down during all the globe-trotting and long boring bits like the race track and working out casino percentages...
I've just finished reading Diamonds are Forever (for the first time!) and... I agree: it's a brilliant and action-packed story. However, one does get rather bogged down during all the globe-trotting and long boring bits like the race track and working out casino percentages...
I've personally always liked the Race Track Scene -{
1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
I've just finished reading Diamonds are Forever (for the first time!) and... I agree: it's a brilliant and action-packed story. However, one does get rather bogged down during all the globe-trotting and long boring bits like the race track and working out casino percentages...
I've personally always liked the Race Track Scene -{
I liked pretty much all of it apart from Mr Spang and the cowboy town bit, it all just came across as a bit silly.
There are great moments in DAF- the scorpion and dentist scene that opens the story, Bond meeting Tiffany, every time Wint & Kidd crop up, and Felix is arguably at his best here- but overall I think it's the weakest of Fleming's first few novels due to the lack of a major Bond villain. The Spang brothers just don't compare to Le Chiffre, Mr Big, Drax, Klebb, Dr No, and Goldfinger. Tiffany is certainly a more developed character than some (eg Gala Brand), and Wint & Kidd are more fully realised henchmen than Tee Hee or Krebs (though Red Grant beats all of them hands down) but the old cliche that a Bond story is only as good as its villain is true in this case, IMO.
There are great moments in DAF- the scorpion and dentist scene that opens the story, Bond meeting Tiffany, every time Wint & Kidd crop up, and Felix is arguably at his best here- but overall I think it's the weakest of Fleming's first few novels due to the lack of a major Bond villain. The Spang brothers just don't compare to Le Chiffre, Mr Big, Drax, Klebb, Dr No, and Goldfinger. Tiffany is certainly a more developed character than some (eg Gala Brand), and Wint & Kidd are more fully realised henchmen than Tee Hee or Krebs (though Red Grant beats all of them hands down) but the old cliche that a Bond story is only as good as its villain is true in this case, IMO.
Very well put, Barbel - that sums up my point of view exactly. -{ It also felt like a shorter novel than the others for some reason, but it was the turning point: from the next novel, FRWL, onwards, Fleming wrote much more complex stories with rounded characters and some brilliant prose.
Nobody lives Forever:
Gardner is back on form with this on a chase across Europe, with death
Everywhere, Bond is the prize in a death hunt. So much happens, there
Must be a killing a chapter.
The last part of the story I feel is very Fleming, although Gardner's description
Of swimming at night with sharks, pales to the suspense Fleming could achieve.
As usual with Gardner there's someone who's not all they seem, and a truly
Horrific end for one baddie reaching for an " Uzi". , although well deserved.
A great improvement over Role of Honour, -{
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
Nobody lives Forever:
Gardner is back on form with this on a chase across Europe, with death
Everywhere, Bond is the prize in a death hunt. So much happens, there
Must be a killing a chapter.
The last part of the story I feel is very Fleming, although Gardner's description
Of swimming at night with sharks, pales to the suspense Fleming could achieve.
As usual with Gardner there's someone who's not all they seem, and a truly
Horrific end for one baddie reaching for an " Uzi". , although well deserved.
A great improvement over Role of Honour, -{
This ^
Gardner hit his stride with this Novel.
1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
I was thinking last night, as there is a London Bond tour. Would any Irish
Bond fans know the locations mentioned in the Book ?, So for Irish Bind fans
North or South, could be a nice way to pass a weekend touring them ?
I must make a note of them myself, this time.
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
Silhouette ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,845MI6 Agent
I was thinking last night, as there is a London Bond tour. Would any Irish
Bond fans know the locations mentioned in the Book ?, So for Irish Bind fans
North or South, could be a nice way to pass a weekend touring them ?
I must make a note of them myself, this time.
See DAF, FRWL and No Deals, Mr Bond for Irish locations.
I'm currently reading William Boyd's Solo (2013) for the first time. So far, so good.
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
Good idea SM, I'll make a note of them in NDMB, and Red Grant's home area
As for DAF, I don't know if any of the old Cork airport would still be standing from
Fleming's days ?
Then I can hold tours for visiting. Bond fans. must also try and keep a note
Of anything from Ireland Bond eats or drinks, like the Irish Coffee he had at the
Airport. As it might be fun to visit some of the locations over here, could help pass
An afternoon. )
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
Silhouette ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,845MI6 Agent
Good idea SM, I'll make a note of them in NDMB, and Red Grant's home area
As for DAF, I don't know if any of the old Cork airport would still be standing from
Fleming's days ?
Then I can hold tours for visiting. Bond fans. must also try and keep a note
Of anything from Ireland Bond eats or drinks, like the Irish Coffee he had at the
Airport. As it might be fun to visit some of the locations over here, could help pass
An afternoon. )
Yes, you could take some beautiful photos too. -{
I think it was Shannon Airport in DAF which is still going strong:
There is a mention of Celts early on in LALD. I think there are references to Ireland in OHMSS too. Ireland gets a little reference in YOLT too - so look out for that.
I'm going to write an article up on all the links back to Ireland in the books and films for St Patrick's Day 2016 hopefully. I've been meaning to do it for years! Same old story.
And as a fellow NI resident I think a tour of Bond locations North and South would be a very neat idea. -{
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
Currently reading From Russia With Lovefor the first time in many years. Loving it. Again.
Trying to get the missus into the books. FRWL is possibly one to get her hooked. But should she read them in order, starting with Casino Royale? Perplexed...
I recommend that shes reads them in Order. She will see Flemings writing Style improve with each Book -{
I agree that this is the best order in which to read the Bond novels, although I did not do this on starting out reading the Bond novels as a teenager in the summer of 1997. -{
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
Although if she's not in to Bond, perhaps a few of your favourites might help
Ease her in to them, But I do agree for anyone wanting to know Bond should
Read them in order, to see how Fleming developed the character and ideas. -{
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
I've just finished re-reading "The James Bond Dossier" by Kingsley Amis and am currently re-reading "The Bond Affair" by Umberto Eco et al. Whetting my appetite for a read through of the whole of Fleming... again.
Whetting my appetite for a read through of the whole of Fleming... again.
Where do you find the time to read for pleasure? I'm constantly TRYING to fit in a Bond MOVIE here & there, much less re-read the whole Fleming series!! ?:)
Ah Chris, my line of work leaves me plenty of free mornings though not many evenings.
I can only read late at night when everyone else is asleep because I distract so easily and my cat just looked at me funny- I think she's asking for canned food by doing that. What was I saying-?
Here's a question that I don't want to start a whole new topic for:
Which 50's novels do you re-visit most often in non marathons?
To me the 50's Bonds are more pure Fleming creativity, without the eye on the 'film potential'. It's been a while since I read them, but Moonraker & Dr. No stick out as most intoxicatingly memorable.
Comments
Flemings most underrated Novel.
I've just finished reading Diamonds are Forever (for the first time!) and... I agree: it's a brilliant and action-packed story. However, one does get rather bogged down during all the globe-trotting and long boring bits like the race track and working out casino percentages...
I've personally always liked the Race Track Scene -{
I liked pretty much all of it apart from Mr Spang and the cowboy town bit, it all just came across as a bit silly.
Very well put, Barbel - that sums up my point of view exactly. -{ It also felt like a shorter novel than the others for some reason, but it was the turning point: from the next novel, FRWL, onwards, Fleming wrote much more complex stories with rounded characters and some brilliant prose.
Gardner is back on form with this on a chase across Europe, with death
Everywhere, Bond is the prize in a death hunt. So much happens, there
Must be a killing a chapter.
The last part of the story I feel is very Fleming, although Gardner's description
Of swimming at night with sharks, pales to the suspense Fleming could achieve.
As usual with Gardner there's someone who's not all they seem, and a truly
Horrific end for one baddie reaching for an " Uzi".
A great improvement over Role of Honour, -{
Oh, for sure. And I enjoyed both of those novels rather more than I did Moonraker, received fan wisdom be damned...
This ^
Gardner hit his stride with this Novel.
Bond fans know the locations mentioned in the Book ?, So for Irish Bind fans
North or South, could be a nice way to pass a weekend touring them ?
I must make a note of them myself, this time.
See DAF, FRWL and No Deals, Mr Bond for Irish locations.
I'm currently reading William Boyd's Solo (2013) for the first time. So far, so good.
As for DAF, I don't know if any of the old Cork airport would still be standing from
Fleming's days ?
Then I can hold tours for visiting. Bond fans.
Of anything from Ireland Bond eats or drinks, like the Irish Coffee he had at the
Airport. As it might be fun to visit some of the locations over here, could help pass
An afternoon.
Yes, you could take some beautiful photos too.
I think it was Shannon Airport in DAF which is still going strong:
http://www.shannonairport.ie/gns/Passengers/Home.aspx
There is a mention of Celts early on in LALD. I think there are references to Ireland in OHMSS too. Ireland gets a little reference in YOLT too - so look out for that.
I'm going to write an article up on all the links back to Ireland in the books and films for St Patrick's Day 2016 hopefully. I've been meaning to do it for years! Same old story.
And as a fellow NI resident I think a tour of Bond locations North and South would be a very neat idea.
You should. The people are very friendly here despite the media image of bombs and guns.
Trying to get the missus into the books. FRWL is possibly one to get her hooked. But should she read them in order, starting with Casino Royale? Perplexed...
I agree that this is the best order in which to read the Bond novels, although I did not do this on starting out reading the Bond novels as a teenager in the summer of 1997.
Ease her in to them, But I do agree for anyone wanting to know Bond should
Read them in order, to see how Fleming developed the character and ideas. -{
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Here's a question that I don't want to start a whole new topic for:
Which 50's novels do you re-visit most often in non marathons?
To me the 50's Bonds are more pure Fleming creativity, without the eye on the 'film potential'. It's been a while since I read them, but Moonraker & Dr. No stick out as most intoxicatingly memorable.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS