Pre ordered my copy of carte blanch, should get it on the 28th of this month.
"Yes,dammit,I said "was".The bitch is dead now."
"It's not difficult to get a double 0 number if your prepared to kill people"
PPK 7.65mmSaratoga Springs NY USAPosts: 1,253MI6 Agent
I read www.commanderbond.net that Deaver has James Bond carring the new Walther PPS pistol in the story. To me it is a fine choice for a new gun. As I have mentioned elsewhere on this site, that if the films were to update Bond's weapon of choice than I feel that the PPS is the way to go. To me it is this generations answer to the PPK.
I sat down and thoroughly read the first extract from The Times, it's good and Flemingesque. Lots of detail in there, and some product names. Perhaps as style that's easier to admire than warm to. Some improvements there, in Garden of Beasts on the first page he refers to a room 'as silent as a morgue' (cliche city) while in this one a setting is 'as silent as an undertaker's chapel of rest' which is better writing. But other stuff either smacks of going back to do unnecessary tightening/editing or stuff that's not quite right. Bond recalls being called away from a dull dinner date with a 'beautiful' woman whose tale of being an 'unappreciated painter' had begun to bore him. Well, that's a bit bland and what - 'painter and decorator' does he mean? What about 'tales of her property investment' or 'successful DIY makeover' that has a bit of an edge to it, immediately the reader would warm to Bond or the writer, rather than what he puts.
But this is nitpicking, it reads well mostly and has an edge of authority, it's better written than his other stuff it seems. It's just, it has you in its grip while you're reading it but not when you've put it down.
"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
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,757Chief of Staff
Well, lucky you! The rest of us in the UK can make do with an excerpt in today's Shortlist freebie magazine for Londoners.
In it, Bond is described as having a mobile, not cell phone so yah boo sucks to the yanks! Otherwise it's good stuff; disconcerting to show his very first meeting with M, it's very much a reboot (though the M is the Bernard Lee one, not Judi). And his housekeeper May is perhaps an annoying anachronism. Deaver packs in the information alright. There are few however of Bond's personal observations, or rather Fleming's observations, and this may be a drawback. He's going through it in a fairly regimented way. And you have Deaver's occasional itallics to emphasise a point, which doesn't seem quite right.
Well I am about a quarter of the way through and so far I am enjoying it.
One thing I will say is it definitely isn't attempting to be a pretend Fleming book. I'm finding this both good and bad as I love Flemings style of writing, but I do feel his style was a product of its time. I cant imagine it being used in conjunction with modern day topics.
I wouldn't suggest starting this book expecting a Fleming masterpiece, read the book for an (hopefully) enjoyable original take on 007. I will leave it there for now as it could still go either way! three quarters left to go!
A tall youngish man in a dark blue suit, white shirt and black tie turned away from the window and came towards him.
"Mr. James?" the man smiled thinly. "I'm Colonel, let's say - er - Johns."
Got my copy in the post this morning. Seems to be quite good at the moment. Describing Bonds razor, food etc. Somewhat reminiscent of the way fleming did, but without trying to sound to much like him. Should be a pretty good read.
"Yes,dammit,I said "was".The bitch is dead now."
"It's not difficult to get a double 0 number if your prepared to kill people"
J Deaver has just been on "front row" on BBC radio 4 explaning why he's made Bond a non smoker, as the smell of smoke can give you away in stealth ops and dna evidence can be taken from them, also ash is alway left.
I was thinking it would be because Bond would always have to be running off to the buildings doorway to light up. )
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
J Deaver has just been on "front row" on BBC radio 4 explaning why he's made Bond a non smoker, as the smell of smoke can give you away in stealth ops and dna evidence can be taken from them, also ash is alway left.
I was thinking it would be because Bond would always have to be running off to the buildings doorway to light up. )
Well at least thank god it's not because he's suddenly become PC! I'd hate Bond to stop being a sexist misogynist dinosaur.
I read in the Guardian review that Bond is wearing Oakley sunglasses in this. I'm in the US and have to wait another few weeks to read it. Could someone tell me what model, or does Deaver get that specific?
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,757Chief of Staff
I picked up my copy today...and got the LE slipcase edition in the post this afternoon too...not I just have to try and buy the signed edition...my local bookstores didn't have this edition when I visited them today...all said they haven't received any Guess it's off to ebay then !
Let's everybody post the links to any book reviews you come across.
Richard
The top 7 Bond films: 1) Dr No. 2) From Russia With Love. 3) Thunderball. 4) On Her Majesty's Secret Service. 5) For Your Eyes Only. 6) The Living Daylights. 7) Licence to Kill.
I received my British 1st Edition in the mail today.
Hefty size with a font large enough for my tired eyes and with generous line spacing.
Will put the reading glasses on tonight and crack this book.
Think I'll listen to John Barry's Enigma soundtrack as I read.
Then I will read chrisno1's review.
Richard
The top 7 Bond films: 1) Dr No. 2) From Russia With Love. 3) Thunderball. 4) On Her Majesty's Secret Service. 5) For Your Eyes Only. 6) The Living Daylights. 7) Licence to Kill.
I absolutely loved the book. I live in the States but was fortunate enough to be on my annual vacation (or holiday, as you all say there) in London on the week the book came out. I therefore was sure to snag a ticket to the opening day Q&A event/signing.
Anyway, long story short, I devoured the book and am on my second reading of it now. Deaver, IMO, completely nails Fleming's style (although his descriptions of places and landscapes are, admittedly, less poetic). Bond's inner monologues and thought processes are great. The requisite elements - Bond girls with delicious names, gadgets, locations, food, wine, etc. - are all there, along with what I can only say is the best 007 plot since Fleming's demise. It twists and turns wonderfully, and is really ingenious when you stop to think about it.
All the stuff about Bond's parents (won't say more than that) is very interesting as well, adding even more layers and depth. I think my only slight disappointment (aside from the aforementioned lack of poetic descriptions) is that Deaver never really explores the "Carte Blanche" theme as much as I hoped he would. I don't think Bond was ever really put into a position where he had to ask the hard questions about his job and how far he would go.
Overall, though, this is a book that begs both to be eaten up and to be savored. I hope and pray Deaver gets another crack at Bond, because Carte Blanche is a delight from start to finish.
I didn't know a new book came out until I read this forum. Im on vacation and just had to have the book after reading about and hearing what people are saying. I already had a list of books I was going to read but this one tops them all. Thank you James Bond for another purchase I wasn't expecting but am ready to enjoy.
"Remarkable, but what does the club secretary have to say? Oh nothing Mr. Bond, I own the club."
Comments
"It's not difficult to get a double 0 number if your prepared to kill people"
But this is nitpicking, it reads well mostly and has an edge of authority, it's better written than his other stuff it seems. It's just, it has you in its grip while you're reading it but not when you've put it down.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/archive/2011/05/20/Oxford+news+%28om_oxfordnews%29/9038206.Science_centre_hosts_launch_of_new_Bond_book/
I am going!
Cheers
SR
http://www.jefferydeaver.com/Novels_/Carte_Blanche/Excerpt/excerpt.html
Sounds good...please report back -{
In it, Bond is described as having a mobile, not cell phone so yah boo sucks to the yanks! Otherwise it's good stuff; disconcerting to show his very first meeting with M, it's very much a reboot (though the M is the Bernard Lee one, not Judi). And his housekeeper May is perhaps an annoying anachronism. Deaver packs in the information alright. There are few however of Bond's personal observations, or rather Fleming's observations, and this may be a drawback. He's going through it in a fairly regimented way. And you have Deaver's occasional itallics to emphasise a point, which doesn't seem quite right.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
One thing I will say is it definitely isn't attempting to be a pretend Fleming book. I'm finding this both good and bad as I love Flemings style of writing, but I do feel his style was a product of its time. I cant imagine it being used in conjunction with modern day topics.
I wouldn't suggest starting this book expecting a Fleming masterpiece, read the book for an (hopefully) enjoyable original take on 007. I will leave it there for now as it could still go either way! three quarters left to go!
The excerpt NP refers to can be found here:
http://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/exclusive-extract-from-new-bond-novel
"Mr. James?" the man smiled thinly. "I'm Colonel, let's say - er - Johns."
"It's not difficult to get a double 0 number if your prepared to kill people"
I was thinking it would be because Bond would always have to be running off to the buildings doorway to light up.
Well at least thank god it's not because he's suddenly become PC! I'd hate Bond to stop being a sexist misogynist dinosaur.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SIGNED-1st-EDITION-JEFFERY-DEAVER-CARTE-BLANCHE-/330569907573?pt=Fiction&hash=item4cf7807d75
I picked my copy up from them yesterday afternoon. They had quite few left and are selling on Ebay for the cover price plus reasonable postage charge.
(I know the postage is reasonable because last week it cost me £2.61 to send a (different) book of the same size that I had sold on Ebay).
Cheers
Steve
I'll be sure to do that...thanks for the tip...I much prefer buying from a recommended source -{
Richard
It's quite long, so I'm only posting it the once.
http://www.ajb007.co.uk/post/490147/#p490147
Hope you all enjoy Carte Blanche.
Hefty size with a font large enough for my tired eyes and with generous line spacing.
Will put the reading glasses on tonight and crack this book.
Think I'll listen to John Barry's Enigma soundtrack as I read.
Then I will read chrisno1's review.
Richard
Roger Moore 1927-2017
You really shouldn't have bought the £5 version Nap
www.scottacademymartialarts.co.uk
"It's not difficult to get a double 0 number if your prepared to kill people"
http://www.gulf-life.com/
Intro's a bit wordy, I should have shoved that third paragraph.
It's under Clive Morris, my name isn't actually Napoleon Plural.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
I absolutely loved the book. I live in the States but was fortunate enough to be on my annual vacation (or holiday, as you all say there) in London on the week the book came out. I therefore was sure to snag a ticket to the opening day Q&A event/signing.
Anyway, long story short, I devoured the book and am on my second reading of it now. Deaver, IMO, completely nails Fleming's style (although his descriptions of places and landscapes are, admittedly, less poetic). Bond's inner monologues and thought processes are great. The requisite elements - Bond girls with delicious names, gadgets, locations, food, wine, etc. - are all there, along with what I can only say is the best 007 plot since Fleming's demise. It twists and turns wonderfully, and is really ingenious when you stop to think about it.
All the stuff about Bond's parents (won't say more than that) is very interesting as well, adding even more layers and depth. I think my only slight disappointment (aside from the aforementioned lack of poetic descriptions) is that Deaver never really explores the "Carte Blanche" theme as much as I hoped he would. I don't think Bond was ever really put into a position where he had to ask the hard questions about his job and how far he would go.
Overall, though, this is a book that begs both to be eaten up and to be savored. I hope and pray Deaver gets another crack at Bond, because Carte Blanche is a delight from start to finish.
~Goldfinger, Sean Connery