22 replies to this topic

[TGO]

Well, I'm planning to read my first James Bond book. I havent started with the Gardner's or the Benson's because of some of the bad reviews. So which?

[Mourning Becomes Electra]

Start out at the beginning with Casino Royale. Bond as a charqcter actually evolves, or rather Fleming expands upon him and fleshes him out as the series continues, so I think it makes it more enjoyable to read them as much in sequence as possible. For a first time book though if order wasn't important I'd probably recommend Moonraker or Thunderball, my favorites.

[Hardyboy]

I agree with MBE--if you plan to read the whole series, start at the beginning and go in order. However, I think that if you just want to read one book to see if you'll like the Fleming series, Dr. No should be your starting point. The new Penguin edition is now available in bookstores nationwide, so run out and get your copy!

[General Koskov]

Personally, I like things in order, but if you want nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat suspense, aren't I the critic) read Moonraker. The story takes place over one week, and if you've seen the film, nothing has been spoilt.

Goldfinger is a gripping book also, and one of the longest (which I like).

[Spectre001]

I would also recommend reading them in order. I am up to Goldfinger which I am about to start tonight. The books do tend to refer to previous missions so if you read them in order you will be able to follow along.

[rafterman]

in order is the best, Casino Royale is very cool...

[Mister Asterix]

I would also recommend starting with Casino Royale, however I would put a warning on that. Casino Royale can be a difficult read for fans who are entrenched in the world of the movies' Bond. The James Bond in Casino Royale is the farthest from the films' James Bond of any of the books (save [@]twslm[/@]). That said reading the first book first would definitely give you the flavour of the literary Bond and help you establish in your head what this James Bond looks and acts like, rather than just picturing one of the actors.

Moonraker too me would also be a tough read for the novice Bond reader. In fact it was the first Bond Book I attempted to read, and not being familiar at the time with the literary Bond, I found it hard to deal with the how dated the book seemed. I instead read Licence Renewed first and then the following two Gardners and after I was familiar with the literary Bond I went back and read all of the Flemings and had no problems with anything feeling dated.

I still however would recomend starting with Fleming's novels, if you find it difficult to get into Casino Royale first then I would say start with From Russia, With Love, Thunderball, or On Her Majesty's Secret Service. All of these books are closer to cinematic Bond and should make an easy transistion.

So in other words, try Casino Royale and if you find it difficult don't give up on the books, try another book instead.

[Double-0 Six]

I've read all of Bensons novels as they were released (they're pretty good, IMHO) and a few weeks ago I splashed out and bought all of the Fleming novels.

I'm reading them in order and have just finished Live and Let Die, and I'd definitely recommend starting with Casino Royale and going through them in order. Just between CR and LALD, the character has evolved nicely, I can't wait to read the rest.

[Roebuck]

I always found myself skimming the rather lengthy card games in both Moonraker and Casino Royale. I'd start with Dr. No. It's close enough to the movie for you to feel your on familiar territory but with enough differences that It isn't like reading a film tie-in. It's also got a great sense of pace, with enough action to put many modern thrillers to shame.

[zencat]

With these 3 books in hand, I'd start with Casino, then Dr. No, then Goldfinger. The next 3, Moonraker, FRWL and DAF are coming Dec 17 FYI.

[mi6spy005]

I wouldn't read Goldfinger first. It's very similar to the book and would provide a better transition than say Casino Royale, yes, but I think the plot holes might leave a bad taste in your mouth. It's the only Fleming book (I've read 8) that I couldn't totally suspend my disbelief while reading it.

So I say, flip a coin. Casino Royale if it's heads. Dr. No if it's tails.

[Jeff007]

Casino Royale was my first and I only chose it because it was the first book anyway.

[C. Tounes]

I've only read 1 Bond book - Dr No, and I couldn't see myself recommending any other book to start with than that when I've read them all. It's an absolutely excellent book, after the first 2 chapters it's like a whirlwind to read, it's so satisfying when you've finished... Read Dr.No first !!!

[Bondpurist]

Whatever you do DON'T read YOLT first like I did. It confused the hell out of me - Casino Royale is definately the best book to read first, as it allows you to appreciate the development of Bond and his 'world.'

[Mister Asterix]

Originally posted by Bondpurist
Whatever you do DON'T read YOLT first like I did. It confused the hell out of me - Casino Royale is definately the best book to read first, as it allows you to appreciate the development of Bond and his 'world.'

YIKES! That would confuse anyone. I read You Only Live Twice after two Flemings and four Gardners and it confused me. I didn't have a true appretiation for the book until I re-read it after reading all of the Flemings, Colonel Sun, all the Gardners, and Zero Minus Ten. Now I'd rank it in the top two or three novels where until the re-read it was in the middle to lower part of the pack. You Only Live Twice is not a beginners book.

[Thunderbird]

My first Bond book was Goldfinger when I was about 14, and I re-read it about 3 times before I read my next one, From Russia With Love. In fact those two never quite made it back to the school library as I recall. *Blush*

I think then I read Thunderball, followed by John Pearson's 'authorised biography' of 007, which read, to me, very much like Fleming.

By then I'd seen quite a few Bond films (the Roger Moore films were still being made then, shows how old I am!) and in fact Casino Royale I read quite late on.

I didn't know then how much of a fan I would become, and if I could do it again I would probably read them in order. Imagine that! All the Flemings stretching out in front of you, unread....drool.

They're all pretty easy reading, and you can finish most in a day or so. The 'Fleming Sweep,' at work, you see...

[Dr Shatterhand]

I'd go with MBE's suggestion, start with Casino Royale and work your way through. After Fleming, you simply MUST get hold of "Colonel Sun" by Kingsley Amis written under the pseudonym of Robert Markham. The Gardner Bond is simply unrecognisable as Fleming's creation, unlike Benson's Bond. Anyone know how to get hold of "Blast From the Past" without having to track down the January 1997 issue of Playboy?

[Neil S. Bulk]

Read them in order. It will be more satisfying that way.

Neil

[Thunderbird]

*Confession time* I still haven't taken the plunge into Gardner OR Benson yet...still pondering...

[WC]

I'd recommend trying to read them in the order of the movies just to see how confused you get! Then you can progress onto the Benson novels. That way, Bond will go from being Commander to Captain then possibly demoted again, and Felix Leiter will be fed to the sharks twice and there will be some debate over the authenticity of his leg. Also Bond's personality will seem completely illogical and haphazard!

So how about it?

[Thunderbird]

Bond will go from being Commander to Captain

...jeez, when did that happen? He's not in the navy any more? Is he? I am so out of the loop...!!

[WC]

I'd also add that you should throw in a few novelisations of the movies for good measure - then many events such as those of Moonraker will seem completely inconsistent, and villains might even come back to life!

[Tehuti 004]

Well, I just read my first Bond book, and that was Casino Royale. I thought I'd better start at the beggining.

I have started to read Zero Minus Ten, and it seems to be a good read.