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

chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
in James Bond Literature
Now I have his first five.

SANY6718_zps5ed7977f.jpg

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. -{
Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS

Comments

  • chrisno1chrisno1 LondonPosts: 3,601MI6 Agent
    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...
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    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... :)
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,845MI6 Agent
    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!
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    Thanks, SM! I shall consider it!
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • chrisno1chrisno1 LondonPosts: 3,601MI6 Agent
    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!
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    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! -{
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    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... :#
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • davidelliott101davidelliott101 Posts: 165MI6 Agent
    Cold Fall?
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,845MI6 Agent
    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!
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    Silhouette Man wrote:

    No, not Dubya, but his father George Bush!
    ;%
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,845MI6 Agent
    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!
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,761Chief of Staff
    If I were you...I'd read them all...just don't expect too much from the latter half... :o
    YNWA 97
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    My thoughs are, that I want to see all the Bond films and read all the Bond
    Novels. Good, bad and indifferent. :D
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    Thunderpussy wrote:
    My thoughs are, that I want to see all the Bond films and read all the Bond
    Novels. Good, bad and indifferent. :D
    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. :D
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    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. :#
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    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. :o
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    Are the Gardner Books Cannon to the original Flemming Novels?
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    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... ?:)
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    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?
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    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.
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    Got it!
    SANY6755_zps70e74f79.jpg
    $4.25 with shipping!
    I'm a happy Bond camper.
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
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