80 replies to this topic

[FLEMINGFAN]

The book is spectacular, and one of the most finely researched publications to ever address the Fleming novels. IFF should include Mr. Griswold's corresponding chapters to the end of each 007 book so that the reader will fully appreciate what Ian Fleming had written.

Also, I am glad that Mr. Griswold has also addressed the correct way that the "Royale" in CASINO ROYALE should be pronounced (something that harks back to the day when Fleming was having the book published in the States and was told to drop the 'e' as the 'great unwashed' would mispronounce it....as they have, and still do, for years).

[zencat]

Just got my shipping notice. Should get it early in the week.

[Qwerty]

Don't get too optimistic - I ordered form Amazon.com last Monday on 24 hour delivery and mine still hasn't shipped yet!

Odd.

Mine's shipped though, so everything looks good. Mid-next week.

[zencat]

Just got mine and, ho baby!, this looks major. It's huge. With index, 449 pages. Glad to see it's illustrated as well. Can't wait to get into it.

[[dark]]

So to clarify, it should be pronounced "Casino Royal" and not "Casino Royarle"?

Wonder how they'll handle this in the film. Frankly, I find the mispronounced version far more exotic-sounding.

[spynovelfan]

Haven't read the annotated thing, but presumably it rhymes with 'corral' and 'morale', because that's how it's pronounced in French. Never heard the 'Royarle' thing, and pronouncing it the English way sounds all wrong anyway, and brings back horrid memories of the American remake of Fawlty Towers. But it is an odd title, because 'Casino' sounds so unfrancophone, with that italianate 'o' ending, and 'royale' sounds like it's trying very hard to be French - the 'oy' is quite rare in that language so it sounds a bit forced. It is the French word for royal, but you'd somehow expect it to be 'regale' or something. 'Oy' is very anglosaxon-sounding, I think.

Are there any cunning linguists here?

Sorry.

[Qwerty]

Just got mine and, ho baby!, this looks major. It's huge. With index, 449 pages. Glad to see it's illustrated as well. Can't wait to get into it.

NICE!

[Melanie]

My order is still pending.

I don't think it's legally possible to include some selected illustrations and a sample page in a review is it?

How to pronounce Casino Royale?

The letter R is arguably the most difficult sound in the French language.
Try not to think of this letter as an R. The French R is nothing like the English R. The French R sounds a lot like the ch in 'Loch Ness' and the kh in Arabic transcription (e.g., Khalid).

Think French "Roi" [king] + al - e.

Same goes for Royale-Les-Eaux. Drop the e and the x. It sounds as if it is one word Royaleseau and not three diffrent words.

royal, ale, aux (adj.)
Palais royal. Ce cadeau est royal.

Ian Fleming could have dropped the e and it would have still been French.

I know how to pronounce it, because I learned French as a second, foreign language, I just don't know how to explain it any better.

Edited by Melanie, 17 May 2005 - 05:38 PM.

[ianfleming1]

Fleming pronounced the word

[Melanie]

That's what I was trying to explain.
You phrased it way better.

[Qwerty]

Finally got mine today.

[FLEMINGFAN]

Just to distance the new film from the old versions, EON should adopt the correct pronuncation to keep it unique (like the LICENCE in LTK....keeping the "C" version across the globe).

But that is just my opinion (which I seldom respect).

[mccartney007]

Got my copy of this book a few weeks ago and I have nothing but the highest praise for it. I've literally not gone anywhere without it since I received it in the mail. Excellent!

[Qwerty]

This is quite good so far, kind of like the James Bond Movie Encyclopedia - but definitely not for the movie section. The overviews and money amount updates are great additions.

[Qwerty]

Also love all of the unused chapter titles. Some really good ones in there that I definitely did not know about previously.

[IanFleming.de.vu]

Can anybody tell me which sizes the book has, please?

And: Is it a paperback?

Thanks for your help!

[mccartney007]

Can anybody tell me which sizes the book has, please?

And: Is it a paperback?

Thanks for your help!

You bet. It's an 8 1/4in x 11in paperback.

[Blofeld's Cat]

In Australia I was able to order the book through Angus & Robertson.

I tried Dymocks first (my preferred book supplier) but they couldn't get get it in.

[Kara Milovy]

Well, I received my copy and did the first read-through. Really extraordinary work. It will certainly become dog-eared in short order.

The explanations of the chronological inconsistencies does become tiresome, except that I suspect that this was what sparked the author to write the book. It is the sort of thing that can get under your skin and just make you take notes. And I appreciate that sort of passion even after I began skipping over those parts.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Tried to order this book through two large book sellers in Sydney (Dymocks and Angus & Robertsons), but they both said it is out of print.

So, this book has become the first thing I've ever ordered from Amazon.

[Qwerty]

And I appreciate that sort of passion even after I began skipping over those parts.

Couldn't agree more.

[David Schofield]

And I appreciate that sort of passion even after I began skipping over those parts.

Couldn't agree more.

While I consider this to be a marvellously put together and researched piece - the sort of thing which perhaps most of us world like to do but wouldn't have the discipline to see through - I suspect it will cause more arguments than it resolves - not necessarily a bad thing - rather than being the final word on Bond chronology.

The notes, however, succeed in giving a tremendous contempory background to the novels - whenever you accept they took place.

[Kara Milovy]

While I consider this to be a marvellously put together and researched piece - the sort of thing which perhaps most of us world like to do but wouldn't have the discipline to see through - I suspect it will cause more arguments than it resolves - not necessarily a bad thing - rather than being the final word on Bond chronology.

The notes, however, succeed in giving a tremendous contempory background to the novels - whenever you accept they took place.

My favorite part is the maps and diagrams, and the photos of real places (like Xanadu, the model for Palmyra). I also love having all the chapter titles in one place. Plus, Griswold is often quite funny in his chapter summaries. "Bond and Grant have a dispute over mission." Heh.

Edited by Kara Milovy, 31 May 2005 - 02:25 PM.

[ianfleming1]

The reason the book was written, after twenty years of research, is for people to read, comprehend, and enjoy Ian

Edited by ianfleming1, 01 June 2005 - 12:17 AM.

[Trempo]

Got mine today. And all I can say is WOW!!!!!!

It is such a great book. Now I can start to read the Fleming books again. And will understand every little hint and clue. This book will in any case enlarge the enjoyment to read the Bond books.

Very well done Mr. Griswold

[mccartney007]

Week three and I still carry it with me wherever I go. I think people are starting to wonder about me.

[Kara Milovy]

Week three and I still carry it with me wherever I go.  I think people are starting to wonder about me.

I'm sorry...starting?

[mccartney007]

[quote name='Kara Milovy' date='1 June 2005 - 11:23'][quote name='mccartney007' date='1 June 2005 - 11:52']Week three and I still carry it with me wherever I go.

[Byron]

When is the official review going to appear on CBN?

Would anyone else care to provide a mini review?

I am considering a purchase but am also afraid that it may take away some of the mystery and romance of the novels. Has this been the case with anyone?

[David Schofield]

When is the official review going to appear on CBN?

Would anyone else care to provide a mini review?

I am considering a purchase but am also afraid that it may take away some of the mystery and romance of the novels. Has this been the case with anyone?

Byron, you want a mini review, OK - I just hope it doesn't sound too critical.

As I've said in my earlier post in this threat, what John Griswold has done is a major work, lovingly put together. The glossary notes help put the stories into their historical context, info about Soviet Russia and the KGB is excellent, and the maps are wonderful.

The downside. First, let me say because of Fleming's lack of thoroughness, the novels to Thunderball (where a date is stated) were always going to pose a problem. However, IMO, John Griswold compounds this by stating that CR took place in 1951 just because Mr Dupont in Goldfinger says so. However, there is no info in CR to confirm this: LALD has to be the year after CR and in this there is clear info that the year is 1954. Ditto Moonraker, which John ties himself in knots in trying to establish it took place in 1952 when clearly it couldn't possibly. This then throws the timeline out for other stories.

To qualify, of course, John does try justify his conclusions. However, for me, the alternatives that can be applied hold more water. That said, John has convinced me TSWLM took place in 1961 (not 1960) and overlaps OHMSS (as does 007 in New York).

Other quibbles, well re-intrepting Bond's date of birth to 1921 is a bit of a liberty (watch out, Mr Higson) not evidenced by any novel, and using Pearson's date of birth of 11 November ... well, IMO if you accept any of Pearson you have to accept it all because it contradicts much of Fleming and you can't do that. Also, the book is entitled Ian Fleming's James Bond... and yet John Pearson is credited with giving him his birthday. I think not.

I hope I have not been too critical. I have dreaded writing these comments on such a marvellous work. It is not the final word on Bond: it is the start of many new debates, however. And we can't have too little discussion about James Bond, can we?