The Licence To Read Series Discussion Topic.

scaramanga1 · April 2003

Discuss this Series that is available in the Feature Articles section.

Through the Feature Articles section members can enjoy lively debates thrown up by the articles. This topic is for discussing the Licence to Read Series which you can go straight to by clicking on this link:

http://www.ajb007.co.uk/articles/series/licencetoread

let's hear what you have to say!

scaramanga1 · April 2003

Thought I'd let you all know that the Moonraker article will be posted in just over a week, so if anyone wants to say anything about the articles so far and insights about Casino Royale and Live And Let Die, please feel free. After all this is what the Literature forum is about.

Moonraker 5 · May 2003

First of all, I have to hold my hand up to never having picked up a Bond novel in my life. I've gazed at some in Waterstone's shop window wondering whether or not to buy them, but that's about as far as I've got. What I know about the novels I've learned from you guys on here. However, on reading the thoughts on Live And Let Die, I picked up on the fact that LALD is "not only racist but rather hackneyed, and cliched" in it's view towards the black characters in the book. I do not doubt for a second that colonial views influenced such writing, particularly from someone from such an affluent background, but in 1972 attitudes had changed considerably, though it could be argued that the representation of the black community in New York and the voodoo practices on San Monique are rather cliched and can be racially construed.

I know this is the literature forum, but I'm intrigued as to how much of Fleming's views filtered into the cinematic Live And Let Die, intentionally or unintentionally. Did LALD the film still bare the evidence of Fleming's original colonial influences?

Willie Garvin · May 2003

The style and tone of the Live and Let Die movie was greatly influenced by the popular "Blaxploitation" movies being made around the same time-Shaft,Cotton Comes to Harlem,Superfly, etc.

Moonie-If you're really curious about the James Bond books-but not interested in buying any of them,why not use your local library?It's an efficient and thrifty way to become knowledgable about Ian Fleming's novels.:007)

W.G.

scaramanga1 · May 2003

W.G. is right, LALD certainly jumped on the blaxploitation band wagon - or to be more truthful - Pimp Mobile.

with the likes of Shaft, Superfly, and Black Caesar doing well, a whole host of films that became known as blaxploitation flicks hit the big screens. Not all were cool and happening though - try and find a copy of Blackula the Afro-American Dracula, to see what I mean. It made sense to those making the Bond movies to do LALD at this time, so they could profit from the blaxploitation successes. Maybe there is a hangover of the colonial attitudes in the making of LALD, its hard to be sure. But choosing Jane Seymour as Solitaire certainly smacks of those making the movies a certain lets say almost wary if not intentional racism. Solitaire in the book was a Haitian, and there is no way, as gorgeous as she is, that she looks Haitian.

Alex · May 2003

Well, the film is drastically different from the book storywise. Not to ruin it for you M5, but the the movies incorporated odds and ends from literature LALD, which were used in (movie) FYEO, LTK, DN and any other I'm forgetting.

Not to change subjects but Quarrell in the first movie is more of a colonial attitude towards blacks (like the shoe fetching) then the movie LALD's characters. They seemed to be more influenced by the genre at the time. Which after all was black is equal. On a side note Quarrell and Mr. Big in the novel are the only blacks that are compared as Bond's equals. Fleming's words were something along the lines that even though Quarrell called Bond "captain", he didn't speak it as a subserviant would, but with pride as an equal. Right after that we are told that Bond instantly liked him.

All the other minor characters like TeeHee and Baron Samedi were given larger and more powerful parts in the movie. I'll let the more scholarly types try to answer the interesting but hard to answer question of Colonialism influences.

Moonraker 5 · May 2003

Quoting Willie Garvin:
Moonie-If you're really curious about the James Bond books-but not interested in buying any of them,why not use your local library?It's an efficient and thrifty way to become knowledgable about Ian Fleming's novels.

Sadly it's not the cost nor efficient way of getting them that has stopped me from reading them. It's the thought of reading them. I haven't read a novel in it's entirity in over 10 years. I've started several since then, but I just don't have the patience or the attention span.

So in a way then, although LALD the book was dipped in racism and colonial superiority, LALD the film was more of an exploitation. I'm aware that many scenes from the LALD novel ended up elsewhere and that the cinematic version differed greatly, but I was just curious as to whether the attitudes of the characters had remained in place.

Alex · May 2003

Jane Seymour had Solitaire's attitude down pat in my opinion. Mr. Big of the book had an entirely more mysterious attitude then the one at the film's climax who smiles and laughs at Whisper.

MrZsasz · May 2003

Quoting Moonraker 5:
I know this is the literature forum, but I'm intrigued as to how much of Fleming's views filtered into the cinematic Live And Let Die, intentionally or unintentionally. Did LALD the film still bare the evidence of Fleming's original colonial influences?

Well, the voodoo is toned down, Felix is still intact, and we get some rather interesting deviations. (Boat chase, for example.)

I think the element of racism, comes into play during Moore's performance. He is SUPER smug and arrogant. I know he was refining his style, but when watching it seems like Bond doesn't consider the black gangsters to be much of a threat.

MrZsasz · May 2003

If I may offer a suggestion about the series...

It seems you're writing in order of publication, but I'd rather see you do it in random order. Here's why:

The original Fleming novels are masterpieces and for the most part, we all love them. But people's opinions on Amis, Gardner, and Benson are varied and I'd love to not only see your thoughts, but also debate with others.

It can be a "Bond Book Of The Month" club.

scaramanga1 · May 2003

I've actually been asked to do the articles in order of publication for continuity's sake. But by all means start threads about some of the other books, as you don't have to wait for each article before you can discuss them. The articles are just a way to introduce some insights that can give rise to discussion, and are an added feature to the site. This Literature forum has become very much a fan fiction forum recently, and it will be nice if some threads appeared about Gardner's or Bensons books etc so that this particular forum can become a greater literary experience.

Sir Miles · May 2003

Quoting Moonraker 5:Sadly it's not the cost nor efficient way of getting them that has stopped me from reading them. It's the thought of reading them. I haven't read a novel in it's entirity in over 10 years. I've started several since then, but I just don't have the patience or the attention span.

Why don't you read the short stories Moonie ? Surley your attention span could ................ eh, what ?

scaramanga1 · May 2003

Just want you all to know that the Moonraker article is now online.

Feel free to comment onanything to do with Moonraker, the original reviews, or the different bookcovers.

scaramanga1 · June 2003

The Diamonds Are Forever article is now online. If you are interested in the various bookcovers that are portrayed throughout this series , ie the bookcover gallery in the new article or any of the bookcovers from previous articles, feel free to comment on them here, and also your views on the novels written in the series so far. Remember the articles are just to give you an insight into the novels and are not proper reviews. They chiefly mention elements of the plot, little pieces about the author that happened whilst writing the tales and of course some of the original reviews that the books received. It is upto you to read the books yourselves and if you so wish to write your own reviews, feel free to do so.

anyway the article is at: http://www.ajb007.co.uk/articles/007/diamondsareforevernovel

Please let the other members see your views on the novels chosen for each article.

superado · June 2003

Quoting scaramanga1:
But choosing Jane Seymour as Solitaire certainly smacks of those making the movies a certain lets say almost wary if not intentional racism. Solitaire in the book was a Haitian, and there is no way, as gorgeous as she is, that she looks Haitian.

Wasn't the literary Solitaire Haitian but from French descent? Her father I think was a plantation owner, and the book described her has having really pale skin.

Hardyboy · June 2003

You're right, Superado. Fleming's Solitaire (real name: Simone Latrelle) is a white woman who was born and reared in Haiti. Tom Mankiewicz wanted to make the film Solitaire black and Rosie Carver white, but Broccoli and Saltzman got cold feet and instead cast Seymour.

Sir Miles · June 2003

Excellent piece - again - SC1. Your Diamonds Are Forever introduction is the best of the bunch so far. It's nice to read some original reviews and the various bookcovers are great to see - especially the Perma bookcovers, I'll have to have a look round for those. Roll on the next one.

scaramanga1 · June 2003

thanks Sir Miles, you'd be surprised at how much research goes into those articles.

Sir Miles · June 2003

Quoting scaramanga1:
thanks Sir Miles, you'd be surprised at how much research goes into those articles.

Having seen just how much research you put into your on-line novels, I wouldn't be surprised at all

scaramanga1 · July 2003

Just letting you know that my From Russia with Love Article is now online. complete with an interesting array of different bookcovers in the book cover gallery.

Sir Miles · July 2003

Once again a fine piece and a great addition to the series, SC1. You have found some really good book covers there, a couple of which I hadn't seen before. On with the next

scaramanga1 · July 2003

The Dr No article is now available for your perusal.

Willie Garvin · July 2003

Excellent article,SC1--quite informative.As we all know,Dr.No was-among other things-Ian Fleming's tribute to Sax Rohmer's Dr.Fu Manchu.
I'm particularly fascinated with the wide array of cover art for
Dr.No--especially on that Russian edition.Fine work,SC1!

W.G.

scaramanga1 · September 2003

The Goldfinger article is now up - goto:

http://www.ajb007.co.uk/articles/007/goldfingerarticle

Comments would be appreciated.

scaramanga1 · September 2003

BTW I forgot to mention -take a look at the Russian omnibus edition of Goldfinger book cover. It it me -or have they based the image of 007 on Timothy Dalton?

scaramanga1 · November 2003

The For Your Eyes Only article is now up. Feel free to make any comments you like -especially on the range of covers available.

scaramanga1 · November 2003

I'm sorry I am about to unleash a frustrated statement about this series:
Consdering that people do actually read this series - the amount of feedback one gets is quite dissapointing.
Surely some of you have something to say - I mean even if there is nothing new that can be brought to my attention -i.e - stuff I've missed out etc. There is always room for comment on the content of the articles and the array of bookcovers I provide.
I mean for example - Goldfinger is probably one of most well read books and most watched films - yet there is little feedback if any at all on that particular article nor has it been read as mny times as some of the others. It seems some of the articles have proved more popular than others, and I really do hope they are a useful reference for those interested in reading the books. But what puzzles me is why there is no enthusiasm for the series. Am I missing something?

yours frustrated,

Scaramanga1

Sir Miles · November 2003

I hear what you're saying SC1 but don't despair ! Your pieces get read by most here - as you know - and thats the real barometer, not the fact that the members here don't wish to respond to them. My pieces on the Aston Martin DB5 toys have over 1000 views apiece but only two or three people responded to them, which is fine by me. Keep up the good work !

Alex · November 2003

The novels articles are great references. I love perusing the different covers, etc. The Licence To Read Series has been a great source of information for collectors who want to obtain all artwork associated with said novels and I fall in that category. As well as the history I've learned quite a bit.

Keep up the great(and hard) work.

scaramanga1 · November 2003

Quoting Alex:
The novels articles are great references. I love perusing the different covers, etc. The Licence To Read Series has been a great source of information for collectors who want to obtain all artwork associated with said novels and I fall in that category. As well as the history I've learned quite a bit.

Keep up the great(and hard) work.

Thanks Alex, it's feeback like this that makes me feel like its worth all the hard work. I must admit that now I'm in the latter half of the Fleming books -I'm beginning to wonder how things will be when I eventually move onto Gardner's books -as some of the informatin will not be so readily available. However I will endeavour to continue as best I can, and will always provide as many bookcovers as possible.

Bill Tanner · November 2003

I just wanted to add a note about how much I'm enjoying your series of articles. I read most of the Fleming novels over twenty years ago then moved onto the first four Gardner books, by which time I'd discovered 'so-called' serious literature. Over the last couple of years I've rediscovered the simple raw pleasures of Fleming and have come to appreciate the unique qualities and charm of his writing. I've decided to re-read them all in order, though this time I'm doing it properly: I've bought the whole of the FEL hardcover library. It's amazing how much this adds to the tactile joy of the novels, to read them as they were originally released in the fifties and sixties and not have to be too precious about damaging a valuable first edition.

I'm digressing slightly but wanted to thank you for the enormous amount of work you're putting into your articles. I've trawled through a number of other sites to refresh my memory on the content of each novel and the various covers available but having a whole series available within the same site complete with reviews and covers has proved invaluable. Your introductory page listing publication dates for all of the novels has been a very useful guide and has saved me having to look up the dates on numerous occasions when replying to postings.

I believe you're moving on to the Gardner novels when you've completed the Fleming - though I'm not a great fan I have just bought the first 5 of his first edition hardbacks as they each have a Chopping-esque cover which neatly matches the originals. I couldn't turn them down as the were so cheap! I'd be interested to hear your views on Gardner because, as you mentioned, there seems to be very little information available. I have a couple of reviews and an interview which were all published in 007 magazine if these are any help, though I imagine you already have them.

You seem to have a thankless task in cataloguing and reviewing the books but I'm sure that this will be the series of articles most often referred to on this site, especially by those who have neither the time or inclination to read the books. Let's hope that you inspire a few of them to take a closer look at the source material; maybe some of them will then go on to work in the industry and make better Bond films.