19 replies to this topic

[Qwerty]

Now on the CBn main page...

Looking Back: '003 1/2: The Adventures Of James Bond Junior'

The little-known 1967 James Bond-themed novel by R.D. Mascott

[[dark]]

Good stuff, Qwerty. This is the one continuation novel I don't own - this article tempts me to try to track it down.

Up until Charlie Higson’s official Young Bond series commenced in 2005 with the publication of SilverFin, 003½: The Adventures Of James Bond Junior was the only novel in the literary Bond canon that did not feature James Bond as the primary character.

Forgive me if I misread this, but SilverFin still features James Bond as its primary character. In fact, the first book not to feature James Bond as its primary character was actually Fleming's own The Spy Who Loved Me.

[Mr Twilight]

I tried to read it about two years ago but gave up after a few chapters. I couldn't stand it that time but I shall give it a new chance.

[Donovan Mayne-Nicholls]

One of the finest James Bond continuation novels in spite of not featuring the character of james Bond in it. In essence, a Bond novel in disguise. I really like Higson's efforts but this is is way better, evocative and humorous. Incidentally, there were two Cape reprints, in 1974 and 1978.

[zencat]

Believe it or not, I've never read this.

[Daddy Bond]

Believe it or not, I've never read this.

Do you own a copy?

[K1Bond007]

Believe it or not, I've never read this.

Same (though I've read excerpts). And I don't care to. I'm not even really bothered about trying to collect it.

[zencat]

Believe it or not, I've never read this.

Do you own a copy?

Oh yeah. UK and US firsts.

[DAN LIGHTER]

I can not imagine its anywhere near as good as the Young Bond series. I would like a read of it though. Just to see.

[Qwerty]

Sure, the story absolutely pales in comparison to the Young Bond series. But for me, it's really not all that bad. More interesting to read and compare to the recent Higson novels and well worth checkig out for fans of that series.

Good stuff, Qwerty. This is the one continuation novel I don't own - this article tempts me to try to track it down.

Up until Charlie Higson’s official Young Bond series commenced in 2005 with the publication of SilverFin, 003½: The Adventures Of James Bond Junior was the only novel in the literary Bond canon that did not feature James Bond as the primary character.

Forgive me if I misread this, but SilverFin still features James Bond as its primary character. In fact, the first book not to feature James Bond as its primary character was actually Fleming's own The Spy Who Loved Me.

Ah, right you are, Matt. I've gone ahead and changed around that weird bit of phrasing in the article. Thanks.

One of the finest James Bond continuation novels in spite of not featuring the character of james Bond in it. In essence, a Bond novel in disguise. I really like Higson's efforts but this is is way better, evocative and humorous. Incidentally, there were two Cape reprints, in 1974 and 1978.

Didn't know there was a 1978 reprint also - thanks for this, Donovan.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Richard Harris jokingly called Roger Moore 003½ in THE WILD GEESE because he kept fluffing his lines while shooting the airport control tower scene.

[Donovan Mayne-Nicholls]

Sure, the story absolutely pales in comparison to the Young Bond series. But for me, it's really not all that bad. More interesting to read and compare to the recent Higson novels and well worth checkig out for fans of that series.

Good stuff, Qwerty. This is the one continuation novel I don't own - this article tempts me to try to track it down.

Up until Charlie Higson’s official Young Bond series commenced in 2005 with the publication of SilverFin, 003½: The Adventures Of James Bond Junior was the only novel in the literary Bond canon that did not feature James Bond as the primary character.

Forgive me if I misread this, but SilverFin still features James Bond as its primary character. In fact, the first book not to feature James Bond as its primary character was actually Fleming's own The Spy Who Loved Me.

Ah, right you are, Matt. I've gone ahead and changed around that weird bit of phrasing in the article. Thanks.

One of the finest James Bond continuation novels in spite of not featuring the character of james Bond in it. In essence, a Bond novel in disguise. I really like Higson's efforts but this is is way better, evocative and humorous. Incidentally, there were two Cape reprints, in 1974 and 1978.

Didn't know there was a 1978 reprint also - thanks for this, Donovan.

Cape had a policy of supporting books they thought were special even if these didn't perform financially.
Many posters (not only in these fora) who don't care much about the book are very superficial in their appreciation of it to the point of dismissing without having read it (incredibly mature). The book's not about the plot but about a boy becoming a man. The story is as exciting as it could happen to a real schoolboy without crossing the line of the improbable. That's the basic flaw of the Young Bond concept, which you have to ignore or else find the whole thing ridiculous. The adult Bond is sent to fight evil masterminds. Young Bond "accidentally" runs into them.

[Mr. Blofeld]

That's the basic flaw of the Young Bond concept, which you have to ignore or else find the whole thing ridiculous. The adult Bond is sent to fight evil masterminds. Young Bond "accidentally" runs into them.

Well, adult Bond does "accidentally" run into Count Lippe whilst at Shrublands at the beginning of Thunderball, so I'd say there's established precedent for this...

[Mark_Hazard]

I picked my copies up in the late 70s/early 80s, both UK and US 1sts and read the Cape copy at the time - can't remember much about it now though, although I recall enjoying it at the time.

However my US copy has the added cards and pocket of the "Random House Reading Program" (their spelling, not mine) and although produced for school reading (why couldn't the UK get 003 1/2 in their schools?) I don't think it's ever seen the inside of a library, never mind a school - pristine condition.

[Qwerty]

However my US copy has the added cards and pocket of the "Random House Reading Program" (their spelling, not mine) and although produced for school reading (why couldn't the UK get 003 1/2 in their schools?) I don't think it's ever seen the inside of a library, never mind a school - pristine condition.

Very interesting. Any chance you could post a picture of it, Mark?

[Mark_Hazard]

The cover is the same as already posted. As to the cards, a few weeks ago I would have said "no chance" to posting a picture, however I am just getting used to my new scanner (and have scanned them) but am unsure how to post a picture unless it is already on a web site - if that's possible - and having, searched I can't find how to. Can someone help and tell me in very simple terms.

[[dark]]

You can simply attach it to a post in this forum. When you click "Post reply", there's a box underneath where you type your post called "Attachments". Click "Choose File", select your image, then click "Upload". Voila!

[Mark_Hazard]

Thanks Dark, I was too busy looking at the icons above the reply box, didn't think of looking below.

Anyway, although I had to shrink the original a little, but here are the cards

 Copy_of_scan0002.jpg   18.54KB   23 downloads

Well, I managed to post a link for it, but still can't seem to post the actual picture.

Edited by Mark_Hazard, 03 March 2009 - 10:32 PM.

[Qwerty]

Looks like it worked, Mark.

[Double-Oh Agent]

Well, I just recently broke down and purchased the book. I read it and thought it was a decent enough book, although I much prefer the Charlie Higson novels. Donovan Mayne-Nicholls is pretty much right in talking about the 003 1/2 novel's realism of a boy investigating mysterious goings-on in his neighborhood. Still, I like the higher scale adventure of the Young Bond series (of course in those we're dealing with the real James Bond so that doesn't hurt them at all). Nevertheless, 003 1/2: The Adventures Of James Bond Junior is worth the read--especially for a Bond completist--just don't get your hopes up too high.