10 replies to this topic

[Blofeld's Cat]

Well, I've finally done it. Based on various glowing recommendations in these forums, I went out today and bought the paperback.

Have just read the first chapter, "Holidays Are Hell".....

The barracuda surprised them by opening its jaws to an angle of ninety degrees, revealing the sharp rows of teeth that were capable of tearing out chunks of flesh in an instant. It closed its snarling mouth just as quickly, leaving a gap of a half an inch.

While not on a par with Peter Benchley's Jaws, which I consider has the best opening paragraph of any novel I have ever read, it certainly tells you straight up that Bond's world, no matter where it is, is fraught with danger. So far so good.

Within a space of five pages Benson makes references to the now ex-Governor of Bahamas and his "quantum of solace" theory, the Harvey Millers from the same episode, Mary Goodnight and the "Scaramanga case", and Sir Miles Messervy and his residence Quarterdeck.

While I appreciate these remembrances from days of old, I hope I don't read about them in every chapter. The narrative flows along and isn't heavy laden as the Fleming style. Mind you, it is only the first chapter.

Anyway, it ends on a devilish note that is certainly making me think of big and evil deeds yet to come from The Union, and the efforts Bond will need to make to overcome them.

BTW, is there a collectors market for 1st edition paperbacks. The copy I bought for around US$10 seems to be the original 1999 Coronet print in England. And yes, it has the 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1.

[zencat]

Blofeld's Cat (31 Dec, 2001 12:34 p.m.):
BTW, is there a collectors market for 1st edition paperbacks. The copy I bought for around US$10 seems to be the original 1999 Coronet print in England. And yes, it has the 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1.

Sure, there's a market for 1st Bond paperbacks. It's not as lucrative as the hardcovers, but there are collectors (like me) who seek out all the paperbacks in 1st.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Sorry about the lack of follow-up, and I did promise Mr* a review.

But the fact of the matter is that I couldn't really think of anything worth putting into a review of sorts.

HTTK is a nice little yarn.

Four major factors may have clouded any appreciation I could have had for this novel:

1 - It's been over 20 years since I've read a Bond novel.

2 - During the last 20 years I have come to appreciate long techno-type thrillers by the likes of Clancy and Dale Brown, and just plain thrillers by Ludlum and Cussler. I really enjoy them.

3 - During that same time I have come to appreciate the style of Adam Hall and his Quiller novels.

4 - It's my first Benson, and if this is considered his best to date, then I can't appreciate how much better it is compared to the other Benson's I could have already read.

I liked HTTK enough to try out another Benson, say NDOD or TMWTRT. I may read one of his movie novelisations to compare what he wrote to what I saw on the screen.

Sorry I couldn't be any more enthusiastic than that. It started out so, maybe due to the excitement of finally making the time to read a Bond novel after so long a period. Maybe I expected too much of Mr. Benson.

[Blue Eyes]

Maybe you do!

Blofeld's Cat (14 Apr, 2002 10:16 a.m.):
I liked HTTK enough to try out another Benson, say NDOD or TMWTRT. I may read one of his movie novelisations to compare what he wrote to what I saw on the screen.

I suggest one of two things (some other people may have other suggestions)

1) Get your hands on the Tomorrow Never Dies novelisation. It's slightly different to the film but Benson has create a huge backstory to main players such as Carver and Stamper. It makes the novelisation really interesting and the film more enjoyable.

2) Get your hands on The Man With The Red Tattoo. Having read it I must say I quite liked it. It still may not be on par to your expectations. But to quote Zencat "it moves like a bullet" or something along those lines.

[Jacques Nexus]

Blofeld's Cat...I'm very surprised you've resisted the temptation to read Benson for so long now. You must have exceptional willpower .

[Icephoenix]

The only Benson I've read so far has been TND.
I've been into the fleming's and Gardener's so far.

[Blue Eyes]

Well done Blofelds Cat. Let us know how it all goes!

[RossMan]

Don't waste more time talking to us, Blofeld's cat, you still have twenty some more chapters to go! And I am looking forward to your thoughts and comments on what you think of the post Fleming world of Bond. Hopefully when your finished you'll be hooked and will have to read the next installments of the Union Trilogy.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Jacques Nexus (01 Jan, 2002 12:05 p.m.):
Blofeld's Cat...I'm very surprised you've resisted the temptation to read Benson for so long now. You must have exceptional willpower .

Not so much willpower, but a lack of interest really.

Upon hearing that Gardner was going to update Bond to the eighties, ie: cut down on the smokes and be more "female friendly", I imagined him becoming something of a SNAG (Sensitive New age Guy). Not my idea of what Bond should be.

As for Benson, I wasn't going to invest time in a first-time novelist and hope that he would capture the Fleming feel like Amis, a well established novelist by that time, so admirably did.

While I'm still not ready to read Gardner, I'm willing to now read a Benson based on what I've read in these forums.

Blue Eyes (01 Jan, 2002 10:35 p.m.):
Well done Blofelds Cat. Let us know how it all goes!

Will do, Daniel

I'm not going to post a chapter-by-chapter review, but I will do a couple before finishing, and then a final one with my overall impressions on the novel.

[Blofeld's Cat]

I've just got up to the part where the team is about to start their trek up the mountain.

So far so good. Sort of. I'll elaborate when I finish.

Unfortunately, some "external forces" are hindering my reading time and it's taking longer than usual to read.

[RossMan]

Hope I'm not being annoying but have you finished HTTK, if so did ya like it?

Sorry but I always love hearing what new readers of any Bond author have to say.