136 replies to this topic

[Major Tallon]

Alternatively, there could also be a competition - along the lines of the Bulwer-Lytton contest - to write the worst first line of a James Bond novel; call it the Jim Hatfield Competition.

Given Bond's not infrequent fear of air travel, may I suggest "It was a dark and stormy flight."

[godwulf]

As for "favorite" passages from the Hatfield book, I've just run across this one:

"Bond's armored Chris-Craft speedboat shot toward Doberman's fortress like a throbbing erection."

[DAN LIGHTER]

What a great and interesting thread. One feels compelled to read it.

[zencat]

Interesting development here. Kevin Collette, who runs Our Man From Bond Street, has a copy of The Killing Zone that he found at a flee market in London. This is only the third known copy (apart from mine and Brad Franks), and the only copy to have been found outside of the U.S.

Man, it really stinks that the 007Forever article is gone. I recall I wanted to post it here in its entirety, but the webmaster would only allow me to link it. Now it's lost. Does anyone know who wrote it?

[zencat]

Well, it was great work, guys. Quite a story as I recall.

Yes, Matt was who I talked to back in the day about this. I still know Matt well. Maybe I'll drop him a note.

Thanks.

[Harry Fawkes]

Right.

You’ve all made me thoroughly interested and have, therefore, downloaded The Killing Zone.

I will start reading it as soon as I find the chance.

From what I've seen from the majority of comments nonetheless, it seems that it’ll be a load of e, but, and there is a big but, we all know opinions are personal and every man to his own and all that.

I mean the amount of people who slam John Gardner is amazing, whilst I simply can't get enough of him me’self!

Well, that's the beauty of tastes and opinions, they’re so bloody diverse and colorful and full of… you.

So, having said that I am going to sit back as soon as the chance pops up and dive into this yarn and form my own opinion. Hopefully, I will share my observations with those interested soon.

Regards

[Jim]

No, it really is rampagingly inadequate.

[Harry Fawkes]

Well, so far I think the start of the novel isn't that bad. Not bad at all. The only 'complaint' on my behalf is that I really don't see M as the type of man who would try to make conversation with a chauffeur he's just met. Too 'out of character' if you ask me.

Just a thought of course.

As for:

"Miss Moneypenny sends a loving kiss."

"Pity you didn't bring Penny with you."

"You two would be flirting too bloody much."

Sounds like something out of a Fan-Fic novel. My own stuff in fact

Lame, if you get my drift.

Maybe I'm looking for fault though which isn't fair is it?

[Righty007]

I've yet to read The Killing Zone and I don't have any plans to do it soon even though I should because Leiter is featured.

How come?

"Bond's armored Chris-Craft speedboat shot toward Doberman's fortress like a throbbing erection."

[zencat]

Now that's some gooood writing.

[clinkeroo]

Maybe I'm looking for fault though which isn't fair is it?

No, you're quite right, and I would never insult your fiction by comparing it to Hatfield's twaddle. I despise this thread because it tricks people into reading this Trojan horse-. Hatfield couldn't write well in his mainstream novels and had all the literary and research skills of a tabloid journalist on holiday (We're talking Daily World News here, not something as haughty as The National Enquirer or the Sun.)

I have read better Bond novels written by 13 year-olds over at fanfiction.net.

The only difference between Hatfield's magnum cacāre and bad fan fiction is that he had some private copies printed, which became collectables thanks to discussions like this thread.

You'll see, if you actually make it through it, just make sure you wear an old pair of boots while reading.

[zencat]

I still think the weirdest thing about TKZ is how similar it is to LTK. It can only be a coincidence, of course, but what a coincidence.

[Jim]

I still think the weirdest thing about TKZ is how similar it is to LTK. It can only be a coincidence, of course, but what a coincidence.

In that they are both relentlessly execrable, true.

[zencat]

Yes, that is definitely one of the similarities.

[WesJ]

Does anyone know how much an actual copy of this book would go for? Perhaps one with a handwritten note on a piece of paper that was inside the autographed copy?

[Mr. Blofeld]

Not for much, I'm afraid...

[Sir Godfrey]

Hi,

 

A Bond fan recently made a french translation of Jim Hatfield's "The Killing Zone".

http://www.commander007.net/?p=6318

 

You can download the file here (.pdf)