Carte Blanche :
Bond in a modern setting. Now a non smoker and like many teens these days dependent on his
Mobile phone ( He does use it a lot ). I loved the early set up of the villain, with a taste for necrophilia!
I quite liked CB, it's not a great book or story and like many of the continuing writers Boyd tries to be a
bit too clever at times. It has some interesting characters, but with the last big reveal near the end. I
felt a bit disappointed. The ending ( Trying to avoid any spoilers) is almost as if Bond was the secret Services
answer to Harry Potter, the Boy born to be a spy.
So there we have it all the Bond books read through Bond's time line, so what have I learned ?
Best to read the Flemings as published. You can see Fleming grow in confidence as a writer, and Bond
grow in stature as a character. From young agent, to brooding almost burnt out field officer. So many
brilliant characters both good and evil fill those books, I'll certainly be reading them again many times.
As for the continuing authors, Col Sun is almost as good as the Flemings and fits well with the Fleming
novels. The first six or so Gardners are entertaining but the quality soon falls away, almost as a mirror of
Fleming's life John Gardner's later years were filled with ill health.
Benson's Books are basically Movie tie ins for films that were never made, Nothing to do with the Novels,
totally inspired by the Films. and Books that I'll never revisit.
The other Celebrity authors work, Solo. I hated so boring. Devil May Care, gets off to a good start, and I
did quite like it, Good villain and Plan, But the last third of the book lets it down.
It's been fun and it leaves the way open to begin the lates Continuing Book " Trigger Mortis" by Antony
Horowitz, which I happly picked up today and will start this evening. -{
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
Well I hammered through Carte Blanche - enjoyed it since it didn't try to be like Fleming and the actual story was quite enjoyable in the modern setting. It was a bit too long in my opinion and prob a few too many twists (felt like nearly every character ended up as a villain). He appeared to use his mobile for everything which also got a little too tedious but overall I was not bored like Solo.
Well since I finishing Fleming I have read the following continuation novels and prob rank them in the following order:
Trigger Mortis - Highly enjoyable, not all but a huge chunk felt very Fleming. A good villain (though simple plot)
Col Sun - Nice adventure and got off with a bang!! The middle section had a bit of a lull for me but the end picked up well!
Carte Blanche - Not very Fleming at all but I enjoyed the modern take and the twists and turns (though a tad too long)
Devil May Care - Enjoyable but dare I say the writing felt a bit "school-like" and tried far too hard with the Fleming references
Solo - started off quite Bondish but took a dive into a war zone and didn't seem like Bond at all to me - difficult to get through, hated it.
Did toy with starting the Gardners (think it is 30 quid for all 16 digital) but think ive read too many books lately (I normally only read a couple of novels a year)
I'd say only the first six Gardner's are worth reading, the rest
Get a bit repetitive, I really like them. As at the time ( early 80s)
He renewed Bond for the times. Although it's funny reading them
now, as they are set as far back in the past as the Fleming books
when I first started reading them.
No mobile phones, Bond is always looking for a phone box, or
Attaching something to a hotel phone to scramble the call. Which
Was so big he'd have to hide it in the car. How times have changed.
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
Trigger Mortis :
In short, I loved it -{ , I think the time period really suits Bond, Horowitz did
a great job at capturing some of Fleming's writing style, and gives us a good
solid story. With an interesting villian's plot.
He also gives us a sexy leading lady with a cute name, a good villain and
an exciting third act. Although the last fight ? Seems to be a hangover from
the movies.
Still to round off my travels through the Bond books, it was very enjoyable.
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
Trigger Mortis :
In short, I loved it -{ , I think the time period really suits Bond, Horowitz did
a great job at capturing some of Fleming's writing style, and gives us a good
solid story. With an interesting villian's plot.
He also gives us a sexy leading lady with a cute name, a good villain and
an exciting third act. Although the last fight ? Seems to be a hangover from
the movies.
Still to round off my travels through the Bond books, it was very enjoyable.
Well... I'm pleased to hear this: I've been a bit apprehensive about reading this, wondering how much I would like it. Is this the 1950s-set one? If so, I'd also say that I think that this era (and also the 1960s) suits Bond very well...
I think Horowitz has done his homework very well, and certainly better than Deaver etc. TM was very impressive, though a little formula-bound in places (the dinner scene with 007, Sin and Jeopardy was VERY reminiscent of DN's scene with Bond, No and Honey for example) and I'd gladly read more of his work. For what it's worth, I enjoyed "The House Of Silk" as well.
I'm stuck in a Dennis Wheatley right now ("Black August", the first of the Gregory Sallust stories which may or may not have inspired Fleming) and then I'm going to read "Shoot To Kill", the latest Young Bond book).
Oh, definitely! Very much a product of their times. Totally racist, completely class-oriented, and politically embarrassing. He's a good story-teller, though- and yes, the roots of Fleming's Bond stories can be seen.
When I was younger and well into my 20s, I read nothing but Horror books.
From the greats like S King and Dean Koontz, Clive Barker and James Herbert.
To the pulp stuff from Guy N Smith about big crabs taking over Britain etc.
Now though I don't read much at all, as I have too much to do, so it's easier
To play a DVD when I'm working . Although I have read a few James Herbert
Books " The rats trilogy " as they were only 99p each on kindle.
"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
Oh, definitely! Very much a product of their times. Totally racist, completely class-oriented, and politically embarrassing. He's a good story-teller, though- and yes, the roots of Fleming's Bond stories can be seen.
This is a great read by Jeremy Duns on just that subject matter, Barbel:
Funnily enough my Mum was a big fan of Dennis Wheatley. I remember as a kid
Being amazed but scared at some of the paperback covers. Although for years I
thought it was my Dad who was the fan, only found out years later that it was she
who loved a bit of the old Satan stories. )
"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
Funnily enough my Mum was a big fan of Dennis Wheatley. I remember as a kid
Being amazed but scared at some of the paperback covers. Although for years I
thought it was my Dad who was the fan, only found out years later that it was she
who loved a bit of the old Satan stories. )
I collect them myself when I see them! Love the old Wheatley paperbacks. My Dad had one in his bookcase too. -{
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
Oh, definitely! Very much a product of their times. Totally racist, completely class-oriented, and politically embarrassing. He's a good story-teller, though- and yes, the roots of Fleming's Bond stories can be seen.
This is a great read by Jeremy Duns on just that subject matter, Barbel:
Oh, definitely! Very much a product of their times. Totally racist, completely class-oriented, and politically embarrassing. He's a good story-teller, though- and yes, the roots of Fleming's Bond stories can be seen.
This is a great read by Jeremy Duns on just that subject matter, Barbel:
Funnily enough my Mum was a big fan of Dennis Wheatley. I remember as a kid
Being amazed but scared at some of the paperback covers. Although for years I
thought it was my Dad who was the fan, only found out years later that it was she
who loved a bit of the old Satan stories. )
I used to enjoy the Dennis Wheatley books. However, they can be a bit of a mixed bag. I found it tough going through To the Devil a Daughter and couldn't even get past the first couple of chapters of The Ka of Gifford Hillary. However, I really enjoyed The Satanist, in fact it was the Wheatley that had me looking over my shoulder the most.
Actually, I have a whole box full of Wheatleys - perhaps I'll re-read them again...?
The only one of his black magic books I read was The Devil Rides Out, and that was pretty good but didn't make me want to read the others. The Sallust stories are the ones I like from his work.
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,757Chief of Staff
The only one of his black magic books I read was The Devil Rides Out, and that was pretty good but didn't make me want to read the others. The Sallust stories are the ones I like from his work.
I loved that book when I read it...then I saw the film
YNWA 97
Silhouette ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,845MI6 Agent
The only one of his black magic books I read was The Devil Rides Out, and that was pretty good but didn't make me want to read the others. The Sallust stories are the ones I like from his work.
I loved that book when I read it...then I saw the film
You didn't like it? I thought it was good.
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,757Chief of Staff
The only one of his black magic books I read was The Devil Rides Out, and that was pretty good but didn't make me want to read the others. The Sallust stories are the ones I like from his work.
I loved that book when I read it...then I saw the film
You didn't like it? I thought it was good.
It's not that I didn't like it...it was just a total let down after the book...
YNWA 97
Silhouette ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,845MI6 Agent
Comments
Bond in a modern setting. Now a non smoker and like many teens these days dependent on his
Mobile phone ( He does use it a lot ). I loved the early set up of the villain, with a taste for necrophilia!
I quite liked CB, it's not a great book or story and like many of the continuing writers Boyd tries to be a
bit too clever at times. It has some interesting characters, but with the last big reveal near the end. I
felt a bit disappointed. The ending ( Trying to avoid any spoilers) is almost as if Bond was the secret Services
answer to Harry Potter, the Boy born to be a spy.
So there we have it all the Bond books read through Bond's time line, so what have I learned ?
Best to read the Flemings as published. You can see Fleming grow in confidence as a writer, and Bond
grow in stature as a character. From young agent, to brooding almost burnt out field officer. So many
brilliant characters both good and evil fill those books, I'll certainly be reading them again many times.
As for the continuing authors, Col Sun is almost as good as the Flemings and fits well with the Fleming
novels. The first six or so Gardners are entertaining but the quality soon falls away, almost as a mirror of
Fleming's life John Gardner's later years were filled with ill health.
Benson's Books are basically Movie tie ins for films that were never made, Nothing to do with the Novels,
totally inspired by the Films. and Books that I'll never revisit.
The other Celebrity authors work, Solo. I hated so boring. Devil May Care, gets off to a good start, and I
did quite like it, Good villain and Plan, But the last third of the book lets it down.
It's been fun and it leaves the way open to begin the lates Continuing Book " Trigger Mortis" by Antony
Horowitz, which I happly picked up today and will start this evening. -{
Unlike reading Fleming I am kind of seeing DC as Bond when reading this modern version.
Early days
Well since I finishing Fleming I have read the following continuation novels and prob rank them in the following order:
Trigger Mortis - Highly enjoyable, not all but a huge chunk felt very Fleming. A good villain (though simple plot)
Col Sun - Nice adventure and got off with a bang!! The middle section had a bit of a lull for me but the end picked up well!
Carte Blanche - Not very Fleming at all but I enjoyed the modern take and the twists and turns (though a tad too long)
Devil May Care - Enjoyable but dare I say the writing felt a bit "school-like" and tried far too hard with the Fleming references
Solo - started off quite Bondish but took a dive into a war zone and didn't seem like Bond at all to me - difficult to get through, hated it.
Trigger Mortis. ( I'll have to read TM, a couple of more times).
Get a bit repetitive, I really like them. As at the time ( early 80s)
He renewed Bond for the times. Although it's funny reading them
now, as they are set as far back in the past as the Fleming books
when I first started reading them.
No mobile phones, Bond is always looking for a phone box, or
Attaching something to a hotel phone to scramble the call. Which
Was so big he'd have to hide it in the car.
In short, I loved it -{ , I think the time period really suits Bond, Horowitz did
a great job at capturing some of Fleming's writing style, and gives us a good
solid story. With an interesting villian's plot.
He also gives us a sexy leading lady with a cute name, a good villain and
an exciting third act. Although the last fight ? Seems to be a hangover from
the movies.
Still to round off my travels through the Bond books, it was very enjoyable.
Well... I'm pleased to hear this: I've been a bit apprehensive about reading this, wondering how much I would like it. Is this the 1950s-set one? If so, I'd also say that I think that this era (and also the 1960s) suits Bond very well...
Like it.
I could joke that it sucked ........ But I won't.
From the greats like S King and Dean Koontz, Clive Barker and James Herbert.
To the pulp stuff from Guy N Smith about big crabs taking over Britain etc.
Now though I don't read much at all, as I have too much to do, so it's easier
To play a DVD when I'm working . Although I have read a few James Herbert
Books " The rats trilogy " as they were only 99p each on kindle.
This is a great read by Jeremy Duns on just that subject matter, Barbel:
http://www.spywise.net/pdf/March_10/wheatley_declassified.pdf
Being amazed but scared at some of the paperback covers. Although for years I
thought it was my Dad who was the fan, only found out years later that it was she
who loved a bit of the old Satan stories.
I collect them myself when I see them! Love the old Wheatley paperbacks. My Dad had one in his bookcase too.
Very interesting article. Yes, Come Into My Parlour has many similarities to FRWL and Gregory Sallust is a proto-Bond.
Glad you enjoyed it. It's an excellent piece!
I used to enjoy the Dennis Wheatley books. However, they can be a bit of a mixed bag. I found it tough going through To the Devil a Daughter and couldn't even get past the first couple of chapters of The Ka of Gifford Hillary. However, I really enjoyed The Satanist, in fact it was the Wheatley that had me looking over my shoulder the most.
Actually, I have a whole box full of Wheatleys - perhaps I'll re-read them again...?
I loved that book when I read it...then I saw the film
You didn't like it? I thought it was good.
It's not that I didn't like it...it was just a total let down after the book...
I see. Sadly I've not read the book although I have a copy. I really need to, though.