5 replies to this topic

[Carver]

Yesterday saw me complete NDOD. It is, I have to say, the best Bond bok I have read so far. The whole book is gripping, and the Bond/Tylyn romance is amazing. Benson does wonders in explaining Bond's feelings, and how it hurts to leave the woman he loves. Every page is a different surprise. I could never realise that

Spoiler

Draco would return, only to be Bond's enemy

. The way that Cesari 'feel' with his senses is amazing, and I truely felt saddened when

Spoiler

Bond found out that Mathis had been blinded

. The humour in the book comes from Bond's hapless ally Collette, who also receives some torture, e.g

Spoiler

he gets set on fire

. Benson is so far my fav Bond author, although the majority of books I've read are his. What happens at the beginning excellently fits in at the end of the book, where

Spoiler

Bond kills Draco's wife and daughter

. I must admit, I did feel sorry for Draco, as

Spoiler

he has had two sets of wives and daughters killed, 3 of them as a result of Bond

. Well, thats my review, sort of, on NDOD, and now I'm reading TMWTRT, so expect more praises of Benson to come!

[zencat]

I'm with you, Carver. NDOD is my favortite Benson book. Glad you enjoyed it as much as I did.

[Jim]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm glad to see not everybody's as miserable an old curmudgeon as me. They are written to be enjoyed and it seems to have worked.

[Simon]

Hell, Jim. Have you thrown in the towel?

The only reason I come to these Benson related posts is to see you lambasting every last point to these books.

Is anyone willing to take up the mantle?

[Jim]

Nope, haven't given in.

But my views are my views only, no more or less valid than those who deem Mr Benson's product as worthy gawps. If someone derived pleasure from the book, then that's their business and I'm not here to impose my opinion as correct. Just to impose my opinion.

The towel remains in the corner and I will come out fighting every time. But ultimately, any view is no more consequential than...what's the phrase...sparrows' tears (although sparrows' farts would be more descriptive).

[zencat]

Originally posted by Simon
The only reason I come to these Benson related posts is to see you lambasting every last point to these books.

Is anyone willing to take up the mantle?

You know, it would be nice to have one Benson thread that doesn't turn into a referendum on his writing abilities. Can I ask for that?

I will happily move your post to the appropriate thread where this is being discussed, Simon.