9 replies to this topic

[JimmyBond]

Just finished Death is Forever, rather liked it. Dont see why its called his worse, curious what I Gardner(and I am intent on reading a Gardner novel again) should I read next. I have all but:

Never Send Flowers
Brokenclaw
Seafire
and "The Man from Barbarosa"

Oh, and I dont have the two novelizations.

[scaramanga]

The novels up to and including Win, Lose or Die are great and IMO, this was Gardner's last decent Bond adventure. His next book, Brokenclaw was severely flawed, it's only strong point is probably that it has Gardner's best villain, Brokenclaw Lee.

[Tanger]

..And if it didn't have this, then we might never have had the outstanding 'Shatterhand'!

[RossMan]

Icebreaker. Many, myself included, consider it to be one Gardner's best, if not his single best. Read Icebreaker, you won't be disapointed.

It's hard for me to suggest what should be read next as I enjoyed all of his books but you should save The Man From Barbarossa for last, I don't think it was that great. (Though I feel the same about Death Is Forever as well...)

Just a few tips, try to read Role of Honor before Nobody Lives Forever, and it would help to have read Seafire before Cold Fall.
Of course not having read all of Gardner's books, you have the advantage of the option of reading them all in order.

[RossMan]

zencat (17 Feb, 2002 06:25 p.m.):
If your plan is to read all the Gardner books, I would recommend starting at the beginning. His first five books are all very readable. They are:

LICENSE RENEWED (still my favorite Gardner book)
FOR SPECIAL SERVICES (strong second book)

I can't explain it but for me those two books feel more like really good Connery Bond movies rather than the book Bond.

Funny, just about everyone'll agree his first five or so were great, but when it cames to Never Send Flowers or Brokenclaw people either love it or hate it.

I lost a little interest in Win Loose or Die during Bond's detective like investigation on the ship.

[Icephoenix]

I've just strated on Scorpius, can anyone tell me what some highlights of the book?
(No spoilers though thanks, but im expecting some double-crosses, triple double crosses and quadriple double crosses )

[rafterman]

I suggest Win, Lose or Die

[RossMan]

Trevelyan (23 Feb, 2002 06:17 a.m.):
I've just strated on Scorpius, can anyone tell me what some highlights of the book?
(No spoilers though thanks, but im expecting some double-crosses, triple double crosses and quadriple double crosses )

Can't really think of anything too memorable about Scorpius. I think there was a car chase early on the book, and the villain is pretty interesting, he has a very painful death.

[zencat]

If your plan is to read all the Gardner books, I would recommend starting at the beginning. His first five books are all very readable. They are:

LICENSE RENEWED (still my favorite Gardner book)
FOR SPECIAL SERVICES (strong second book)
ICEBREAKER (Gardner's classic!)
ROLE OF HONOR (weak, but sets up the next book)
NOBODY LIVES FOREVER (very good)

His books get VERY hit and miss after this...but I do really like BROKENCLAW and NEVER SEND FLOWERS.

Enjoy!

[JimmyBond]

Since I've only read one of his. I think I'll start in order. Licence Renewed it is Thanks guys.