13 replies to this topic

[DLibrasnow]

Is there any order that one MUST read the Benson's in? For example - can one read HIGH TIME TO KILL before ZMT and FACTS OF DEATH?

Does one have to read the Union Trilogy in order?

[zencat]

Hight Time to Kill, Doubleshot, and Never Dream of dying should be read in order (The Man With the Red Tattoo sort of connects as well), but there is no problem reading HTTK before TFOD or ZMT. And even if you break up the Union Trilogy it's not such a big deal. All the books stand alone fine.

[DLibrasnow]

Thanks John...the reaason I asked is that I started reading HIGH TIME TO KILL this morning and stopped about six pages in wondering if I could get away with reading that one first.

I still find problems with Bensons prose and the editor in me just wants to start marking up the page, but I found it to be turning out to be a good page turner. Of course there is the mention of the Fleming short story "Quantum of Solace" early on and some grammatical errors. but I think I am going to enjoy reading Benson's books.

[clinkeroo]

That's the appeal of Benson. He may not have the ear for the language that Fleming was blessed with, but he does understand the elements and pace of Fleming's stories, as well as the set characters, so the pages fly by quickly.

[Loomis]

Hight Time to Kill, Doubleshot, and Never Dream of dying should be read in order (The Man With the Red Tattoo sort of connects as well), but there is no problem reading HTTK before TFOD or ZMT. And even if you break up the Union Trilogy it's not such a big deal. All the books stand alone fine.

What zen said. Order's not important. Of course, I'd recommend just reading "Zero Minus Ten", "The Man With the Red Tattoo" and maybe "Never Dream of Dying" and stopping there.

[DLibrasnow]

Hight Time to Kill, Doubleshot, and Never Dream of dying should be read in order (The Man With the Red Tattoo sort of connects as well), but there is no problem reading HTTK before TFOD or ZMT. And even if you break up the Union Trilogy it's not such a big deal. All the books stand alone fine.

What zen said. Order's not important. Of course, I'd recommend just reading "Zero Minus Ten", "The Man With the Red Tattoo" and maybe "Never Dream of Dying" and stopping there.

Ouch! To be honest I find the plot for HTTK much more interesting than the plot for the three you mention.

[Blofeld's Cat]

When I get to them I'll read them in order. I like to think Benson gets better with each book.

I've only read High Time To Kill, but I'm not going to read Doubleshot and Never Dream Of Dying next because it's being a little while since I've read HTTK, so I'll just re-read it after I've read the ones before it.

[Qwerty]

When I get to them I'll read them in order. I like to think Benson gets better with each book.

Wish it was so. Kind of like the Gardner era for me though - a rollercoaster of great and lesser ones. More good ones here than in the Gardner era though personally.

[DLibrasnow]

I'm going to read the Union Trilogy first.

[Qwerty]

That's the appeal of Benson.  He may not have the ear for the language that Fleming was blessed with, but he does understand the elements and pace of Fleming's stories, as well as the set characters, so the pages fly by quickly.

Couldn't agree more. I flew through nearly all of his.

[DLibrasnow]

I'm certainly hoping this is the case.

[Qwerty]

Seems to be for alot of people I know who've read them.

[Tanger]

I don't think it's that big a problem if you don't read them in order. For example, I read TMWTRT without reading any of the prior novels and I had no problems. I think it also helps to have some sort of knowledge of the others (by reading the Bond Files) so that you can get the references though.

[DLibrasnow]

It really seems as if these are books by a fan for the fans. I doubt casual readers would be able to catch many of the references.