John Gardener - RIP

[Daltons Chin Dimple]

He passed away today apparently.

I always pictured Dalton in my head when I read his Bond novels.

[LeiterCIA]

Shame.

I've actually never read any of the Gardner novels. Maybe this is an opportunity to try one.

[tstone]

I haven't, either. Can anyone comment on the quality of them?

[Archangel972]

I've read quite a few of them. I'll be honest, they weren't that great. In fact, the only one that I truly enjoyed was Icebreaker, it actually felt a bit similar to the movies. Granted, I'm commenting more as a fan of the films than as a fan of the Fleming novels.

[Daltons Chin Dimple]

I found them in turns very enjoyable or awful. Still, it would be good to read them all from the beginning and read them in order.

[WhiteKnight]

This is a shame. Gardener's "For Special Services" was actually the first full length novel I read when I was about 12, and I've enjoyed reading ever since. In retrospect I'd have to say his contributions to the Bond series were probably inferior to the contributions of Fleming, Benson and Amis, but this is sad news nonetheless.

[Daltons Chin Dimple]

Some of his late 80's elements found there way, however slightly, into the movies. Moneypenny being more active, M in the field and in danger, Q less prominent with a subordinate taking his place. There were also some interesting points regarding lack of adequate funding for the Secret Service, and Bond's very place and purpose being questioned in these new and supposedly enlightened times.

[Martini97]

John Gardner - I liked Licensed Renewed, For special services, and Seafire. I really didn't care that much for COLD.

[Outsydr]

"Licensed Renewed" was the only one I read. I do recall having liked it, but that was over 20 years ago. I liked A Flock of Seaguls then, too. So what does that tell you?

[conman]

Are you implying there is something wrong with Flock of Seagulls?

[tstone]

Thank you. I STILL dig AFOS.