682 replies to this topic

[Qwerty]

Read Casino Royale not too long ago and I'll confess...only because of the upcoming movie. It's the first Bond book I've read...and sorry, but most likely the last....the story was good, but I'm afraid I found Fleming's style a bit...tedious. I'll stick to the movies!

Oh, do try some of his other novels at least. Live and Let Die is a bit quicker in terms of pace.

[Double-O Eleven]

Read Casino Royale not too long ago and I'll confess...only because of the upcoming movie. It's the first Bond book I've read...and sorry, but most likely the last....the story was good, but I'm afraid I found Fleming's style a bit...tedious. I'll stick to the movies!

Oh, do try some of his other novels at least. Live and Let Die is a bit quicker in terms of pace.

I didn't much like the first Fleming novel I read, Goldfinger, but to think what I might have missed if I hadn't gone on! I would have missed one of the greatest popular stylists on the English language.

db077, if you read either Live Let and Let Die or Doctor No, you will be hooked for life.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service is my favorite of the novels, but you shouldn't read that one until later; at least until after reading Thunderball, which is its direct lead-in, and also an awesome novel. But Live and Let Die and Doctor No are great intro books; most Fleming fans pretty much agree on this. Casino Royale is a brilliant novel, but it's a bit unusual and stylistically different from the others. From Russia, with Love is another one of the greats, but it has a unique structure that makes it less straightforward than some of the others.

Edited by Double-O Eleven, 02 October 2006 - 08:25 PM.

[Qwerty]

Indeed. Doctor No is a good one! My favourite.

It's funny how some of the more generally loved films (Goldfinger) are lesser books (Goldfinger) compared to some of the others (again, my opinion).

[AgentPB]

I liked Live and Let Die alot more then Casino Royale. I'm glad i started reading the bokks because Bonds charcter is much more flushed out. He seems to have alot more sides to him.

[dinovelvet]

I agree, try Dr.No, that was one of my favorites.

Myself, I'm currently reading the last Bond book on my checklist - John Pearson's James Bond authorized biography.

[Qwerty]

I agree, try Dr.No, that was one of my favorites.

Myself, I'm currently reading the last Bond book on my checklist - John Pearson's James Bond authorized biography.

A good one. Hope you enjoy it.

[Double-O Eleven]

It's funny how some of the more generally loved films (Goldfinger) are lesser books (Goldfinger) compared to some of the others (again, my opinion).

An opinion I agree with: my favorite Bond movie, Goldfinger, comes from one of my least favorite books. It's the only movie script I think improves upon its Fleming original. It hurts me to say that, but there it is.

[Qwerty]

It's funny how some of the more generally loved films (Goldfinger) are lesser books (Goldfinger) compared to some of the others (again, my opinion).

An opinion I agree with: my favorite Bond movie, Goldfinger, comes from one of my least favorite books. It's the only movie script I think improves upon its Fleming original. It hurts me to say that, but there it is.

I think that is the opinion shared by alot of fans.

[Matt_13]

Moonraker...again.

[Double-O Eleven]

Moonraker...again.

Can't go wrong with that one. It's always been a personal favorite.

[Garth007]

I am rereading Casino Royale again and then going to read Licence Renewed.

[AgentZ]

'Never Send Flowers'. Which is a big improvement over some of the other Gardner books I've read recently. Knock on wood....

[Double-0-7]

I am re-reading Live And Let Die. Writing about different races sure has changed over the last 50 years!

I agree, try Dr.No, that was one of my favorites.

Myself, I'm currently reading the last Bond book on my checklist - John Pearson's James Bond authorized biography.

I finally tracked down an old paperback version of the Pearson book and read it last month. I really thought it read like a number of Bond short stories and enjoyed how it filled in the blanks leading up to getting his double-0 status.

Let me know what you thought of the book when you're done!

[Qwerty]

'Never Send Flowers'. Which is a big improvement over some of the other Gardner books I've read recently. Knock on wood....

Definitely one of the highlights of the second half of the Gardner era, in my opinion.

[Double-O Eleven]

'Never Send Flowers'. Which is a big improvement over some of the other Gardner books I've read recently. Knock on wood....

Definitely one of the highlights of the second half of the Gardner era, in my opinion.

I rather liked Never Send Flowers, which surprised me a bit. I think I appreciated the "Bond vs. Serial Killer" angle, which is different from usual formula but not so far changed as The Man from Barabrossa.

[Qwerty]

I think I appreciated the "Bond vs. Serial Killer" angle

I liked it because Gardner maintained it all the way through. It was such a simple idea compared to the double-triple crosses that seem to go hand-in-hand with some of his books, yet he made it work here very well.

And while EuroDisney doesn't pop to my mind as a typical Bond book location, Flicka is one of the strongest Gardner Bond girls and David Dragonpol is also a solid villain.

I must reread this again soon.

[Blonde Bond]

I started reading For Your Eyes Only - short stories collection thingamazig... The first story (From A View to a Kill) was exellent for a short story.

Edited by Blonde Bond, 13 October 2006 - 01:24 AM.

[Qwerty]

I started reading For Your Eyes Only - short stories collection thingamazig... The first story (From A View to a Kill) was exellent for a short story.

Be sure to add your reviews here: http://debrief.comma...showtopic=26772

[Navy007Fan]

I just finished "Dr. No" earlier this week, and now I'm starting on Pearson's "James Bond, the Authorized Biography of 007."

[Blonde Bond]

Ok, now it's Thunderball time!
So far I've read a couple of chapters.

From the "For Your Eyes Only" I most liked the story "Quantum of Solace", because the story wasn't about Bond and it was really interesting.

[00Twelve]

Yep. Live And Let Die.

[darthbond]

I am reading Thunderball. Later this week, I will read Never send Flowers.

darthbond

[Bwanito]

I'm reading "Diamonds are forever" for the second time. Sure, it's not the best Fleming's novel but it's been a long time that i didn't read it (and it's always better than "The Man with the Golden Gun" and even better than one of the gardner's novels)

[Blonde Bond]

I'm currently reading "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"

[Mr Woodpigeon]

Readng Diamonds Are Forever. 1st time round, reading the books in order.

[Double-Oh Agent]

I'm currently reading The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant by Samantha Weinberg.

[Qwerty]

I'm currently reading The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant by Samantha Weinberg.

How do you like it so far?

[capungo]

I'm just about to start reading From Russia With Love again, as someone stole my 1963 film tie in version when I was 1/2 way through it It's the only Fleming Bond I haven't finished reading, and I can't wait to have another go at it.

Having said that, I'm also considering picking up Colonel Sun and making the plunge into the non-fleming novels, something I admit I've been reluctant to do for a long time. Wish me luck

[Qwerty]

Having said that, I'm also considering picking up Colonel Sun and making the plunge into the non-fleming novels, something I admit I've been reluctant to do for a long time. Wish me luck

Many of the non-Fleming novels are very good. Enjoy!

[Double-Oh Agent]

I'm currently reading The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant by Samantha Weinberg.

How do you like it so far?

So far so good. I'm at the point prior to The Man With The Golden Gun mission. I have to say I liked The Moneypenny Diaries: Guardian Angel better than I thought I might--and certainly better than I thought I would when the subject was first announced. I liked all the little historical (factual and Bond-related) tidbits Weinberg put in the novel and she's continuing in that vein in Secret Servant.