43 replies to this topic

[Qwerty]

After you've read the book for the Blades Reading Club...is this book truly one of Fleming's best to you or is it sometimes overrated?

[Genrewriter]

In terms of story construction I think it's close to being the best. The setup is given to us in minute detail allowing the last two thirds of the novel to keep us in suspense as to whether or not Bond will be able to figure out what's happening.

[Qwerty]

Would you call it the best though?

[Genrewriter]

Absolute best? No. I think Thunderball edges it out for best.

[Qwerty]

Ah, I wasn't expecting that one, but fair enough. I too cannot see From Russia With Love as the best with many readings, but we'll see again with this one.

[Brix Bond]

The ending sets it apart from the previous novels though. However the end does not make a novel. It's really well written and there's definatly originality woven throughout it but it's not the best in my opinion as that title goes to OHMSS.

[Qwerty]

I've added a poll.

[CharlieBind]

It's a great book for sure, but the best?

I find it hard to answer that, as I get great enjoyment from it. I guess for sentimental reasons OHMSS just edges it out, while for entertainment values I'd choose Live And Let Die. But I wouldn't say it was over-rated.

[Grubozaboyschikov]

I also had to choose between FRWL and OHMSS. I think, FRWL is a real tough spy novel: Cold War, the Russian Secret Service, Istanbul, the Orient Express, and etc.
Especially, I adore the first chapters, where the SMERSH konspiratsia is being concocted. (the Russian word is used a bit wrongly by Fleming , BTW) Yes, I think I would say it's the best.

[DLibrasnow]

Its definately one of the best James Bond books, but not THE best. Close, but no cigar!

[Loomis]

Fleming's best - by far - is "You Only Live Twice".

"From Russia With Love" is probably his second best.

[ChrisWalken]

At least it's the best I've read.

[Johnboy007]

I would not call it his best, YOLT or LALD for that title.

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

I'd have to rank FRWl pretty high up there in terms of story construction. I think it takes balls to leave your main character out of the story for 90 pages but Fleming pulls it off. The whole plot just seemed so much more ominous and well developed here than it was in a lot of books, not just Fleming. My favorite book is still OHMSS so I don't know if I can vote FRWL the best. Based solely on story construction though, it's a tough call. Like I said, it's definitely up there with the greats.

[Qwerty]

I'll ask now of Fleming's first 'run.' (Casino Royale -- From Russia With Love.) He originally intended it to be the last, of those five, would it be the best?

[DLibrasnow]

Really, its a tough call to name my favorite Fleming novel. I am actually very partial to GOLDFINGER but I also like ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE and YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE.

[DLibrasnow]

Ooops....how could I forget MOONRAKER!!!

[Qwerty]

Indeed. Live And Let Die and Moonraker.

[CharlieBind]

Indeed. Live And Let Die and Moonraker.

I'd say that of the books up to From Russia With Love, those two are my favourites (in fact, add OHMSS to the list and those would be my three favourite Fleming books full stop).

From Russia is still a good book, though.

[Qwerty]

Indeed. Live And Let Die and Moonraker.

I'd say that of the books up to From Russia With Love, those two are my favourites (in fact, add OHMSS to the list and those would be my three favourite Fleming books full stop).

From Russia is still a good book, though.

Indeed. Although all of Fleming's first five were great.

[Turn]

I read FRWL two or three summers ago and it quickly became my favorite of the Flemings I've read. I avoided reading it for a long time due to the long build-up with the planning in SMERSH HQ and all that. But when I read it, I actually enjoyed that section very much and was suprised something without the main character could be that interesting.

This book really plays to Fleming's journalistic strengths. The description of Grant's obsessive tendencies is chilling and unsettling. The scene when he has Bond trapped on the Orient Express had me wondering how Bond could avoid death even though I know how it turns out.

And the section with the rats also rattled me. I have a Winston Smith fear of rats myself and the sections describing them only reinforced it. The cliffhanger ending rounded out everything in the perfect way. Instead of Bond in the hospital recovering the way he usually is at the end of most of the books, this gives a perfect set-up to the next novel. And I love the final line.

Thinking about this is causing me to wonder why I've been taking the time reading the Gardners these last few months.

[Blofeld's Cat]

It's been over 30 years since I've read all the Flemings. so I'll have to pass on the poll until I've re-read them again. But From Russia With Love is turning out to be the best to date for me.

[Sir Charles]

Dr. No is my favorite Fleming. You've gotta love a book where the 'hero'

/spoiler.gif

kills the bad dude with a crane load of bird poop!

/gen_line.gif

[Qwerty]

Dr. No is my favorite Fleming. You've gotta love a book where the 'hero'

/spoiler.gif

kills the bad dude with a crane load of bird poop!

/gen_line.gif

The thing is, that could have been so easily a less than credible finale, but it worked.

[Sir Charles]

I'm sorry about that last post. I keep forgeting that everybody that viisits this site hasn't read all of the books. I'll try to be more concious of this in the future. Thanks for hiding that on my post.

[Qwerty]

I'm sorry about that last post. I keep forgeting that everybody that viisits this site hasn't read all of the books. I'll try to be more concious of this in the future. Thanks for hiding that on my post.

No, not a problem at all. I just thought it might be a good idea to hide that bit since this is right in a thread where people may be reading Doctor No eventually. Don't sweat it.

[freemo]

When I first read From Russia With Love I was quickly hooked right into it. I barely even noticed Bonds absense in the first third of it, so drawn in I was.

Ranking wise I'd probably put it third, behind only Doctor No and You Only Live Twice.

[Judo chop]

Oops. I didn't realize I was in the Literature forums and voted "Yes".

Sorry guys. Good news is that the NO faction is still winning, as they should be.

YOLT is the best novel. As it should be.

[dee-bee-five]

Fleming's best - by far - is "You Only Live Twice".

Absolutely agree. I'm not sure it's my favourite Fleming novel - OHMSS will always be that - but as a piece of literature, YOLT is his masterpiece for my money.

[Loomis]

Funnily enough, YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE is highly regarded only within Bond fandom. It has - sadly - no reputation whatsoever in the wider world. "Civilians" usually cite CASINO ROYALE and FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE as Fleming's best (regardless of whether they've read them).