24 replies to this topic

[Iceskater101]

I just ordered the first Casino Royale book and I am really excited! I am trying to finish up the other book I have been reading, Game of Thrones, but considering I have 500 or so pages left, I don't think that will happen. I can't wait to start this series!

[DamnCoffee]

After being a Bond fanatic for years, I decided to read the books for the first time last year. You're in for a treat. Beautiful storytelling. Have fun!

Edited by DamnCoffee, 06 November 2012 - 02:52 AM.

[thecasinoroyale]

I only read the Fleming books about 2 years ago and loved them all. Straight to the story, full of real espionage, colourful characters and a great narrative.

Sometimes you find it hard not to picture events of the films that occur in the books, but that's not very often as Fleming grabs you with his style of writing and doesn't let you go.

Hope you enjoy the ride Iceskater!

[Gothamite]

Sometimes you find it hard not to picture events of the films that occur in the books, but that's not very often as Fleming grabs you with his style of writing and doesn't let you go.

Yeah, this certainly happened for me, as well. Sometimes, I enjoyed the similarities to the films (and vice versa); the scenes in M's office always reminded me of the old Connery films for example, and some of the harder action scenes even seemed like elements from the new Craig films. But for the most part, I consider the books to be a distinct, different era of Bond (just like all the actor eras differ from each other). And it's easily the most fully-realised.

The Fleming books are superb.

[Iceskater101]

Oh yeah for sure! I just got the book, but it looks really really short like 200 or so pages. I didn't realize how short it was going to be. I am definitely going to start it today or tomorrow, I am not finishing a Game of Thrones, it is not my kind of book.

[Double-0-Seven]

Most of the Fleming novels are pretty short, but in a good way. He's good a constructing a concise narrative and doesn't tend to bore you with unneeded details. Very tightly written stories for the most part, and it doesn't take long to read them either. My personal favorite is On Her Majesty's Secret Service, but I remember knocking off Casino Royale in one day when I started the books which at the time was the fastest I ever finished a novel. I think I was thirteen when I first read it, as it had just been announced as the next film (even prior to Daniel Craig being cast) so I figured it was a good time to start. Enjoy them!

[Iceskater101]

Yeah I am definitely going to start reading it tonight, I think I decided that I am done trying to read A Game of Thrones, I mean I want to know what happens, that is what the internet is for. I don't like wasting my time reading books that I generally dislike.

[Single-O-Seven]

Have fun delving into Fleming! I'm certain you will enjoy it. Let us know which Bond you picture in your mind while reading...

[Iceskater101]

Ahh! I just finished Casino Royale and I have to say it wasn't bad, it was very enjoyable to read though I wish it would have been a tad longer, but other than that it was good. I also thought Vesper's death was a little anti-clematic and I hope her death isn't dropped, but brought up in the other books even the second one.

[Major Tallon]

Fleming doesn't dwell on it. You won't really encounter Vesper again until you get to Goldfinger, but Bond's antipathy toward SMERSH comes much sooner. In LALD, you'll have a different kind of surprise coming. I'll note in passing that Fleming's Bond isn't the moody, brooding, angst-ridden character that Fleming's detractors make him out to be.

[Iceskater101]

Yeah it's kind of sad that Vesper's death happens and then I also find it weird how in the book it seems that James is going to ask Vesper to marry her, but how long have they really known each other? I mean it seems a little weird to me.

[seawolfnyy]

True, but remember in the film, Bond professes her love for her after only like a month. I never really much had a problem with it. CR was a great way to start the series and you get to see what makes Bond, Bond. I think the film portrayed it well and did a great job updating it. Way until you hit Moonraker, that's really when the differences between the novels and films take off.

[Walecs]

I read my first Bond book, Carte Blanche in november 2011. That's very late, but considering I watched my very first Bond movie in March of the same year, it's not so late. I am currently reading TMWTGG for the first time, and I'm pretty sad because it's the last Fleming book. After that, I'll only have some continuation novels left, but I'm not looking forward them tbh.


By the way, I hope you'll enjoy Ian Fleming books. His way to write is awesome, that's why I consider him the best writer ever lived. I strongly suggest you to read them in the publishing order.

[R. Dittmar]

Ahh! I just finished Casino Royale and I have to say it wasn't bad, it was very enjoyable to read though I wish it would have been a tad longer, but other than that it was good. I also thought Vesper's death was a little anti-clematic and I hope her death isn't dropped, but brought up in the other books even the second one.

Vesper isn't actually mentioned that much until "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". At the start of the book Bond is visiting Casino Royale again and if I recall correctly, it's strongly implied that he's visiting because he's wanting to recall his time with Vesper.

[seawolfnyy]

Ahh! I just finished Casino Royale and I have to say it wasn't bad, it was very enjoyable to read though I wish it would have been a tad longer, but other than that it was good. I also thought Vesper's death was a little anti-clematic and I hope her death isn't dropped, but brought up in the other books even the second one.

Vesper isn't actually mentioned that much until "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". At the start of the book Bond is visiting Casino Royale again and if I recall correctly, it's strongly implied that he's visiting because he's wanting to recall his time with Vesper.

You're right. He also says that he visits Casino Royale once a year on the anniversary of her death I think.

[Iceskater101]

Yeah I mean I am not saying I have a problem with it, I am just saying that I found it weird that Bond all of sudden is like well I love her and I want to marry her. What's the next book after Casino Royale? Is it Moonraker?

[R. Dittmar]

Yeah I mean I am not saying I have a problem with it, I am just saying that I found it weird that Bond all of sudden is like well I love her and I want to marry her. What's the next book after Casino Royale? Is it Moonraker?

Live and Let Die

[Guy Haines]

Yeah I mean I am not saying I have a problem with it, I am just saying that I found it weird that Bond all of sudden is like well I love her and I want to marry her. What's the next book after Casino Royale? Is it Moonraker?

Live And Let Die. Another classic Fleming novel, although readers may well find the racial aspects in it uncomfortable in this day and age. And then we have Moonraker. Features probably my favourite arch villain from the books - most unlike his cinematic incarnation - and a plot which would have made for a very good Bond film in itself. That said, I doubt it could be filmed as it was in our time unless the background of the villain and his associates was altered. Too many decades have gone past.

[seawolfnyy]

Live and Let Die is a good one, the novel is sort of an amalgation of the films LALD and LTK. Very enjoyable, but I could see how the racial components could make somebody uncomfortable.

And then we have Moonraker. Features probably my favourite arch villain from the books - most unlike his cinematic incarnation - and a plot which would have made for a very good Bond film in itself. That said, I doubt it could be filmed as it was in our time unless the background of the villain and his associates was altered. Too many decades have gone past.

Agreed on Drax. The Drax in the novel is far better than the one in the film or even Gustav Graves who is also somewhat based on Sir Hugo Drax. After Moonraker, it goes as such:
Diamonds Are Forever
From Russia With Love
Dr. No
Goldfinger
The For Your Eyes Only short stories
Thunderball
The Spy Who Loved Me (you could honestly skip this one and not miss anything)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
You Only Live Twice
The Man With The Golden Gun
Octopussy and The Living Daylights

[Walecs]

I suggest you to read TSWLM as well, instead. I loved it a lot.

Edited by Walecs, 03 December 2012 - 03:04 PM.

[Iceskater101]

^ I have no idea what that is.. lol

and nice I will read Live and Let Die next and I am pretty fine with reading about racial slurs and stuff, I mean I read IT and they said faggot a lot.

[seawolfnyy]

I suggest you to read TSPWLM as well, instead. I loved it a lot.

I didn't like TSWLM. I just found it odd and it didn't seem like a Bond adventure at all.

[Walecs]

@Iceskater101: TSWLM = The Spy Who Loved Me (excuse my mispelling, I wrote a non-existing P).

Yeah, when I read it, I didn't read it as a James Bond novel. Should Bond's character have been replaced with a brand new spy?

Umm... maybe not.

Edited by Walecs, 03 December 2012 - 03:04 PM.

[Iceskater101]

Oh okay I understand, this book is still by Ian Fleming though right? I am very slow when it comes to acronyms.

[tdalton]

Oh okay I understand, this book is still by Ian Fleming though right? I am very slow when it comes to acronyms.

Yes, The Spy Who Loved Me is by Ian Fleming, although I do believe that he sets it up as being something that Vivienne Michel (the main character) left on his desk rather than something that he himself wrote.