) Yes, it's a favourite of mine too. -{ great story and villain.
"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
Indeed. Moonraker was the first Bond novel I read aged 12 and 3/4 during the summer of 1997. I still think that it's the best of the lot (check my username if further proof were needed!) Happy days. -{
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
As I have a stunning Fleming box for a while (incl. Colonel Sun) I started to read the books. Not very quick, but I started Moonraker last week. CR and LALD were both great. Before I started MR I saw the film, I did really like it, but as I heard the book is way different, I'm getting very excited!
I love that box. Brilliant. I am a little jealous because my own Fleming novels are looking a bit shabby. I might look for something similar to your set of novels. As Christmas is just round the corner I may have to drop some subtle hints to my family or more realistically buy it myself. I hope you enjoy Moonraker, it was one of my favourites. Completely different to the film. -{
I really enjoyed CR and LALD so I'm sure I will. Hope you'll find a nice set, Wicker Man.
Don't confuse me with the other DutchBondFan, but be sure to follow his YouTube account. You can read my articles on James Bond Nederland: www.jamesbond.nl/author/gosse/
I think I need a smaller Fleming book set. Room wise mainly. The books I have are large print editions. I just thought the covers were fantastic.
You should post some pics of the covers -{
I don't have Casino Royale or Live and Let Die in this format. Though I've just typed them in on eBay and I can get the both of them for under £10.
Very nice set, it somehow reminds me of the earlier Bond poster which were al drawn. Looks very cool.
Don't confuse me with the other DutchBondFan, but be sure to follow his YouTube account. You can read my articles on James Bond Nederland: www.jamesbond.nl/author/gosse/
As I have a stunning Fleming box for a while (incl. Colonel Sun) I started to read the books. Not very quick, but I started Moonraker last week. CR and LALD were both great. Before I started MR I saw the film, I did really like it, but as I heard the book is way different, I'm getting very excited!
I actually own the exact same set, have owned it for over a decade now!
I am thinking about one day buying the English ones though! I do enjoy it in Dutch but I think English is even more authentic!
And i'm currently reading For Your Eyes Only, only need to read the Hildebrand Rarity and then I've finished all short stories in there.
Have to say I really enjoyed all of Fleming's short stories in this one !
Yes, I enjoy the short stories too- there's a nice touch of variety to them.
FAVTAK was really intresting as it so much elements that was never really used in the films. Also like how Bond was rescued by a girl. The girls became more modern in this story too. (I'm reading them in order)
FYEO, also very strong! Loved how the whole Canada sequence in the mountains. I was fully picturing Bond with his sniper and camouflage right up there! Loved how they used the way they killed Gonzales in the the movie too!
Risico was one of my favorites from this one, as soon as Kristatos was introduced I could already predict the whole thing because of the movie but it was still a blast to read!
QoS was another intresting one! Also very unexpected to have Bond basicly hear about the background of some person during dinner, but it had the basic moral of never judging a book by it's cover. Great! (No clue how some people say any of this really links to the movie though)
Looking forward to finishing this and moving on to TB
I re-read the Fleming books every few years. I'm currently reading FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE and recently finished GOLDFINGER and LIVE AND LET DIE. Love them all. Next on the list is DR. NO (I'm not reading them in order this time around).
As I have a stunning Fleming box for a while (incl. Colonel Sun) I started to read the books. Not very quick, but I started Moonraker last week. CR and LALD were both great. Before I started MR I saw the film, I did really like it, but as I heard the book is way different, I'm getting very excited!
Oh, man . . . I wish they'd release a set like this in English. I'd snap it up in a heartbeat!
Currently re-reading Raymond Chandler's "Killer in The Rain"- early versions of what would later be his classic "The Big Sleep", "Farewell, My Lovely", etc. Wonderful stuff.
It was raining in Los Angeles that night, the kind of rain that washes away old sins. I took a sip from my Bourbon and contemplated calling an old friend for some company. Footsteps heading to my door changed that idea. She sashayed in, high heels click-clicking on the cold floor. "Are you Philip Marlowe?" she breathed, smelling of bougainvillea and sour gin. "That's what they tell me", I said, "what of it?"
Currently re-reading Raymond Chandler's "Killer in The Rain"- early versions of what would later be his classic "The Big Sleep", "Farewell, My Lovely", etc. Wonderful stuff.
It was raining in Los Angeles that night, the kind of rain that washes away old sins. I took a sip from my Bourbon and contemplated calling an old friend for some company. Footsteps heading to my door changed that idea. She sashayed in, high heels click-clicking on the cold floor. "Are you Philip Marlowe?" she breathed, smelling of bougainvillea and sour gin. "That's what they tell me", I said, "what of it?"
As a big Chandler fan I had read all of his novels before I found a copy of Killer in the Rain in a used bookstore. It was fascinating to read these short stories that would later be filled out to become some of the finest crime fiction of the century. -{
Currently re-reading Raymond Chandler's "Killer in The Rain"- early versions of what would later be his classic "The Big Sleep", "Farewell, My Lovely", etc. Wonderful stuff.
It was raining in Los Angeles that night, the kind of rain that washes away old sins. I took a sip from my Bourbon and contemplated calling an old friend for some company. Footsteps heading to my door changed that idea. She sashayed in, high heels click-clicking on the cold floor. "Are you Philip Marlowe?" she breathed, smelling of bougainvillea and sour gin. "That's what they tell me", I said, "what of it?"
Sounds like my cup of tea.
"Sic Parvis Magna"
"Greatness From Small Beginnings."
It's great stuff, I thoroughly recommend reading Chandler (though don't start with that one, please read the novels first). He was a favourite of Fleming's. I have to admit though, that the bit in italics isn't a quote, that was me doing a pastiche.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
It's great stuff, I thoroughly recommend reading Chandler (though don't start with that one, please read the novels first). He was a favourite of Fleming's. I have to admit though, that the bit in italics isn't a quote, that was me doing a pastiche.
Nice
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
Just started Blood and Ashes by M Loeffelholz. Just the first chapter so far
but very impressive, good plot outlay and how a certain character is dealt with
is funny and effective. -{
Just looked in on this thread...I do hope you enjoyed it, TP -{
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Oh yes, -{ I'm only about halfway through it, as it seems
to be one of those times, were I don't have muct time for
reading.
I did like your little nod to a certain Actor's tattoo, in
One of the minor villains.
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Blood and Ashes:
Is an old fashioned private eye thriller, set in the 1940s. It moves along at a
cracking pace, with every chapter ending on an exciting event. Making you
want to quickly move on to the next chapter.
On the character side, Oscar Jade is a brilliant concept, a flawed hero. I
found the female characters to be very strong, it was obviously a very
different time, and women were treated very differently than today.
The action flows naturally from scene to scene, with a multitude of fights,
Car chases and shootouts. With a few bits of dark humour. How Jade gets
Information out of a couple of goons, is brutal yet amusing at the same time.
The climax of the story, is violent but fully sensible. All brutal but believable
Sorry about the rambling nature of this post, but I'm making it up as I go.
The book finishes on a nice set up of Characters for another story ( And a bit
better done than the end of Skyfall).
So I'd happily recommend it to all AJBers. -{
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
Guilty admission; I'd only ever read Casino Royale until recently............so started reading the Fleming books in sequence only a couple of weeks ago; currently on Diamonds Are Forever.
How did I miss reading them?!? Whilst some of the language and references are dated (it took me some time to get used to the nowadays not at all pc references in Live and Let Die) they are absolutely fantastic stories. Loved Moonraker. I already know I will be bereft when I've finished them all!
My name has changed! I’m no longer dufus......now I’m DB6
I just started reading The Man With The Golden Typewriter. It's good so far.
"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
Just started reading "The Man With The Golden Typewriter". The intro summarized Fleming's career and life. The chapter on Casino Royale has some interesting letters that gave insights in to how Fleming negotiated with the publishers and his deep involvement with publishing the book including designing its cover. In b/w business letters, there are some hilarious personal letters included as well.
Every chapter deals with a series of letters exchanged during / after the publication of a particular book. As such, I believe that they can be read independently like short stories w/o worrying about having to catch up on the story.
One of the best ways to use the book would be to read relevant chapters with the book you are reading. And that would provide additional insights in to what went on in the background when the particular book was written.
At times, when I go back to what I have written (including posts on this forum), I am surprised by some of the errors that I may have made (whether in spelling, grammar or tone). At times that can be attributed to typing on hand held devices. It is good to know that Fleming made a lot of those mistakes despite being involved with writing professionally - whether as a journalist or an author.
...how Fleming negotiated with the publishers and his deep involvement with publishing the book [Casino Royale] including designing its cover...
"The Man With The Golden Typewriter" sounds like an essential supplement to the Fleming canon, abit different to the usual bio
I didn't realize Fleming designed the cover of Casino Royale... those original hardcovers all have a consistent look, did he also design the others?
if they were actually designed or at least approved by the author, then why hasn't there been a paperback reissue of the series using the original artwork? out of all the dozens of variations we've had over the years, I don't think its ever been done ... the original, author-approved artwork should be part of a definitive edition
Comments
Yes ,I was sort of leaning in that direction ,and im sure TP will back you up too
I really enjoyed CR and LALD so I'm sure I will. Hope you'll find a nice set, Wicker Man.
Very nice set, it somehow reminds me of the earlier Bond poster which were al drawn. Looks very cool.
I actually own the exact same set, have owned it for over a decade now!
I am thinking about one day buying the English ones though! I do enjoy it in Dutch but I think English is even more authentic!
And i'm currently reading For Your Eyes Only, only need to read the Hildebrand Rarity and then I've finished all short stories in there.
Have to say I really enjoyed all of Fleming's short stories in this one !
YouTube channel Support my channel on Patreon Twitter Facebook fanpage
FAVTAK was really intresting as it so much elements that was never really used in the films. Also like how Bond was rescued by a girl. The girls became more modern in this story too. (I'm reading them in order)
FYEO, also very strong! Loved how the whole Canada sequence in the mountains. I was fully picturing Bond with his sniper and camouflage right up there! Loved how they used the way they killed Gonzales in the the movie too!
Risico was one of my favorites from this one, as soon as Kristatos was introduced I could already predict the whole thing because of the movie but it was still a blast to read!
QoS was another intresting one! Also very unexpected to have Bond basicly hear about the background of some person during dinner, but it had the basic moral of never judging a book by it's cover. Great! (No clue how some people say any of this really links to the movie though)
Looking forward to finishing this and moving on to TB
YouTube channel Support my channel on Patreon Twitter Facebook fanpage
Oh, man . . . I wish they'd release a set like this in English. I'd snap it up in a heartbeat!
It was raining in Los Angeles that night, the kind of rain that washes away old sins. I took a sip from my Bourbon and contemplated calling an old friend for some company. Footsteps heading to my door changed that idea. She sashayed in, high heels click-clicking on the cold floor. "Are you Philip Marlowe?" she breathed, smelling of bougainvillea and sour gin. "That's what they tell me", I said, "what of it?"
As a big Chandler fan I had read all of his novels before I found a copy of Killer in the Rain in a used bookstore. It was fascinating to read these short stories that would later be filled out to become some of the finest crime fiction of the century. -{
Sounds like my cup of tea.
"Greatness From Small Beginnings."
Nice
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Just looked in on this thread...I do hope you enjoyed it, TP -{
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
to be one of those times, were I don't have muct time for
reading.
I did like your little nod to a certain Actor's tattoo,
One of the minor villains.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Is an old fashioned private eye thriller, set in the 1940s. It moves along at a
cracking pace, with every chapter ending on an exciting event. Making you
want to quickly move on to the next chapter.
On the character side, Oscar Jade is a brilliant concept, a flawed hero. I
found the female characters to be very strong, it was obviously a very
different time, and women were treated very differently than today.
The action flows naturally from scene to scene, with a multitude of fights,
Car chases and shootouts. With a few bits of dark humour. How Jade gets
Information out of a couple of goons, is brutal yet amusing at the same time.
The climax of the story, is violent but fully sensible. All brutal but believable
Sorry about the rambling nature of this post, but I'm making it up as I go.
The book finishes on a nice set up of Characters for another story ( And a bit
better done than the end of Skyfall).
So I'd happily recommend it to all AJBers. -{
But basically it's a fun read. {[]
- Troy
How did I miss reading them?!? Whilst some of the language and references are dated (it took me some time to get used to the nowadays not at all pc references in Live and Let Die) they are absolutely fantastic stories. Loved Moonraker. I already know I will be bereft when I've finished them all!
over Christmas.
I just got the man with the golden typewriter on kindle, along with trigger mortis. hopefully, they will be good reads -{
I still have to go through many of the Fleming 007 novels so there is a lot on my plate now
Every chapter deals with a series of letters exchanged during / after the publication of a particular book. As such, I believe that they can be read independently like short stories w/o worrying about having to catch up on the story.
One of the best ways to use the book would be to read relevant chapters with the book you are reading. And that would provide additional insights in to what went on in the background when the particular book was written.
At times, when I go back to what I have written (including posts on this forum), I am surprised by some of the errors that I may have made (whether in spelling, grammar or tone). At times that can be attributed to typing on hand held devices. It is good to know that Fleming made a lot of those mistakes despite being involved with writing professionally - whether as a journalist or an author.
I didn't realize Fleming designed the cover of Casino Royale... those original hardcovers all have a consistent look, did he also design the others?
if they were actually designed or at least approved by the author, then why hasn't there been a paperback reissue of the series using the original artwork? out of all the dozens of variations we've had over the years, I don't think its ever been done ... the original, author-approved artwork should be part of a definitive edition