My Gardner history here"
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The fields are empty, [January 1986]
Laying in the back seat listening to Little Willie John...."
We knew the great Roger was no Moore.
We'd been denied a Bond novel in 1985.
This was the closest thing to a Bond drought I'd known (since being bitten by a radio-active Bond fan in 1977)
There was no internet.
There were no magazines.
There was no Bond.
There was no Bond novel.
Outer darkness.
Complete.
Nothing.
Like if James Bond was oxygen and you were in outer space....
It was during this time that I took to calling Glidrose's office and having lengthy conversations with the person in charge (whom I'm still friendly with). I was then told the title of the novel in about Spring 1986. I was thrilled. I was given a few titbits as well. I fizzed like an asprin in lemonade.
By this time, I knew about hardback books. My local public library was warned months in advance and as soon as that thing came out, I devoured the wonderfully dust-jacketed book.
I LOVED it.
NOBODY LIVES FOR EVER is my favourite of the John Gardner novels. The extra time allowed for the book shows. Gardner seems to be enjoying himself. He paints wonderful pictures of the locations. There are pithy characters. The listening of an Art Tatum CD in the Bentley was priceless. The return of the ASP 9mm and the addition of the Concealable Operations Baton - waaaay cool! Sukie Tempesta was a minx - yes I did imagine her doing what Gardner suggests in the book. Key West was nicely etched. A thoroughly enjoyable read. I like the departure from structure - this felt a looser, episodic, richer piece. Unrestrained although the plot lost logic (why have a competition if you are only going to rig it yourself?). The twists and double crosses were actually fun after their absence in ROH. I thought Gardner started to make Bond his own here by continuing to use the new elements that he had created for the series - James Boldman, Predator, the Bentley, ASP 9mm, use of tradecraft etc. Hmmmm, still my favourite.
"
Rock and roll just used to be for kicks
And nowadays it's politics
And after 1986 what else could be new..."
Summer 1986.
I think this was the first hardback book I subsequently purchased. We went on a family driving tour of Europe and visited some of the novel's locations. It sealed the deal!
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