Reading the Ian Fleming books...

[tstone]

I've read them MANY years ago, most of them. But I was organizing my to read list this year, as my goal is to make it through 80 books this year. Among my books I haven't read yet, I found a vintage copy of Moonraker. It's a good time to be a Bond fan, and since I haven't read all the books, or any of them in a very long time, there's only 13 of them and they are quick reads, I'm going through them again. Just ordered a copy of Casino Royale...

[WhiteKnight]

Good call. My personal favorite is FRWL. Moonraker is also very good. Much better than the trainwreck of a film. There are some I haven't been through in a long time, so maybe I can pick them up again and compare notes with you. Just let me know when you're starting on one.

[tstone]

No problem. I expect to begin Casino Royale in about a month. I want to get current on the Honor Harrington series first.

[Daltons Chin Dimple]

Make sure you read the books in order, or else it get's all kinds of confusing with Leiter suddenly re-growing limbs and something called a Spectre making no sense at all ! :smirk:

[LeiterCIA]

I highly recommend reading OHMSS. It's my favorite book, and it might make you a fan of the film (if you aren't already).

[tstone]

OHMSS is one of those I read a long time ago (remembered enjoying it) and we WILL get to it again. DCD is right that we need to take them in order, though.

:)

[WhiteKnight]

I'll agree it helps, but somehow I don't think it's gospel that you've got to do it that way. Sill, I'm just along for the ride and will go along with either decision.

[tstone]

In March, we begin...Casino Royale...unless anyone else has another preference...

[WhiteKnight]

Works for me.

Just to appease my general curiosity, is anyone else is tagging along?

[tstone]

So far, it's just you and me, unless Leiter and DCD are coming along for the ride.

[Jakester]

Oh look! An almost active forum!

[UNCLEagent]

Oh look! An almost active forum!

WHERE??!!!!

btw.... I received a copy of the NEW Fleming book - Quantum of Solace. Which is actually a rerelease of FYEO with a few other Fleming shorts tossed in. It's been thirty years or so since I last read FYEO and I remember being unimpressed at the time. This was the era of my life in which Bond was defined by TSWLM and MR on the big screen.

Over the years, I've heard a lot of negative comments directed against these short stories. I'm halfway through the book and I am very impressed at the storytelling skill exhibited. I find the tales very engaging and very enjoyable to read. I've read some particulariy cruel reviews directed against QoS, but I found it to be one of the more interesting character stories. Obviously, not the Bond adventure we expect, but a wonderfully told tale over a simple dinner one evening at the Governor's House.

It's more like a glimpse of Bond - between the adventures - and the stories told are very interesting on their own.

Still, some very silly outdated slurs and exchanges provide an occassional eyeroll and groan.

[UNCLEagent]

Works for me.

Just to appease my general curiosity, is anyone else is tagging along?

I will look forward to this. I just read OHMSS a year ago (still my fav).

It's been several decades since I last read the Fleming series and I look forward to rediscovering them.

CR it is.

[WhiteKnight]

At what point in March shall we be starting?

I ask only because I've made the very strategic error of picking up Angels & Demons and fear that when I'm finished I'll be tempted to re-read The Da Vinci Code.

[UNCLEagent]

Ready to start.

My biggest question is: do I want to use this as a springboard to begin collecting, one-by-one the newest paperback releases with their glorious retro artwork covers? Drawback: the larger size book isn't all that practical for carrying around (IMHO)

or

the classic Signet paperbacks I was introduced to 35 years ago? They fit perfect into the pockets when doing the Starbucks afternoon getaway.

[tstone]

Early March, my copy of CR is on the way. Exact date coming soon...

[tstone]

Ok gents, ready? Think we can finish the first half of CR by weeks end?

[UNCLEagent]

I gots mine today.

Wrecked the Mustang last weekend, so there's plenty of read time on the bus to work everyday.

BTW - anybody catch Dr. No on cable's Retro-Channel last night?

[WhiteKnight]

Hope you weren't waiting for me. I dug my copy off the shelf this morning and plan to get rolling this afternoon.

[UNCLEagent]

I just finished it this afternoon. I couldn't put it down.

I last read it in the 70's - only once and thought it to be mediocre, at best. Years later, with a far different outlook and perspective on Life, I found the book to be wonderful with so many more layers than originally scratched in my teens.

I had no idea how faithful the 2006 film was to the source - I'm impressed!

[WhiteKnight]

You found the film adaptation to be faithful? Really? I'm afraid I'll have to differ, but I'll at least take the time to finish the book before doing so.

[UNCLEagent]

Finished and waiting.

[WhiteKnight]

Sorry I've been away so long. When the debate didn't heat up immediately I decided I'd take my time until it had or I'd finished the book. I'm on chapter 20 and should easily finish today barring any interuptions.