Anthony Horowitz's Bond novel - Forever and a Day

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Comments

  • Posts: 17,241
    Agent_99 wrote: »
    On a side note: I see some previous comments calling Horowitz' prose weak. Given my own enjoyment of this novel, I almost find myself questioning my own literary tastes. I didn't find the inclusion of any of the tropes jarring or annoying. English is not my first language, so that might have been small factor too.

    IMHO he's an excellent writer, and I like to think of myself as a reasonably literary and literate person.

    Same here. I guess as far as continuation novels go, it's difficult to please everyone. Some will like the tropes, some will feel they're forced.

    I really hope Horowitz will get the chance to do another continuation novel.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    edited August 2019 Posts: 4,053
    Reading people's opinions on https://quarterdeck.commanderbond.net/ (in a thread that I created), I have seen Trigger Mortis and Forever and a Day get mentioned most, as Bond books to be adapted for the cinema. Maybe film them back to back for Bond 7, first FAAD and then TM. Come on EON, please take note!
  • Posts: 2,887
    It won't happen though. Adapting a period piece would be bad for box office, and updating and adapting it would take almost as much work as crafting an entirely new story.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 12,916
    Even so there likely will come a time for it. It's an eventuality that the modern world will overcome an agent's actions and recalling an earlier time will get its due.

    Horowitz and other sources can be waiting in the wings. And the possibilities for a focused two film execution (period or otherwise but one Bond actor) then taking another contemporary direction (different actor) surely isn't off the table.

    The new story may otherwise carry the day, sure. Playing to pop culture suits the success of the franchise and it can mine gold just as good.

  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,518
    Revelator wrote: »
    It won't happen though. Adapting a period piece would be bad for box office, and updating and adapting it would take almost as much work as crafting an entirely new story.
    Casino Royale springs to mind (not a period piece obviously, but for arguments sake, we’re talking about books set in the 50s/60s).
    I feel they could update and adapt FAAD or TM.
  • Posts: 2,887
    From the perspective of the producers, it wouldn't be worthwhile. Fleming's books were originally adapted because they were blockbuster bestsellers, with name recognition. Horowitz's Bond books weren't. When Fleming's books became dated the films stopped closely adapting them, but since EON had already paid for the books it retained the titles and some of the characters. True, Casino Royale was semi-faithfully adapted, but it was an extremely important Bond story--more so than FAAD or TM--and was suited to the producers' need for a serious reboot. But it's been 13 years since the film of Casino Royale and the public wouldn't care about a film prequel. Meanwhile, adapting TM would probably be pointless--why pay extra for a pastiche Bond story that would have to be heavily reworked by a screenwriter, especially since that screenwriter could instead come up with an entirely new story just as "authentic"?
  • DoctorNoDoctorNo USA-Maryland
    Posts: 754
    I get the perspective and cost for EON to stay with original screenplays over continuation novelist work, but movies based on books usually have more depth and rich storytelling than original screenplays. Certainly true in Bond movie history. But again that’s from Fleming’s work. Horowitz stuff I think is good... but not greatness... so I’m not sure it’s worth working either, but I’d take it over some of second generation EONs filmography for sure.
  • edited August 2019 Posts: 3,564
    Bounine wrote: »

    I’ve tried reading comics in the past and haven’t really enjoyed them partly because I don’t know in what order to read the speech bubbles. I might order this book that’s a collection of the Dynamite Bond comics and give it one more go though. I’ve never read a Bond comic, so...

    I suppose the skill set involved in "reading" comics is like any other skill. You get better with repeated practice. If you're willing to take suggestions from someone who's had way too much practice over the decades:

    It's basically pretty much like reading anything else in English, only you look at the artwork first to get a sense of what's happening. Then read the balloons, starting at the top of the panel and moving from left to right. Panel to panel and page to page you're still following the standard rules: page 1 to page 2 to page 3 until the end, start at the top of each page and move from left to right and then down. Give it another try -- and if you enjoy the Fleming novels then maybe you'll enjoy the hardcover comics adaptations of those. Casino Royale is out now, Live And Let Die is coming soon.
  • Posts: 1,314
    I couldn’t finish Forever and a Day. The early chapters were great but by the time we had the protracted back and forth about the female spy’s former love interest, I was finished with it
  • edited August 2019 Posts: 2,594
    Bounine wrote: »

    I’ve tried reading comics in the past and haven’t really enjoyed them partly because I don’t know in what order to read the speech bubbles. I might order this book that’s a collection of the Dynamite Bond comics and give it one more go though. I’ve never read a Bond comic, so...

    I suppose the skill set involved in "reading" comics is like any other skill. You get better with repeated practice. If you're willing to take suggestions from someone who's had way too much practice over the decades:

    It's basically pretty much like reading anything else in English, only you look at the artwork first to get a sense of what's happening. Then read the balloons, starting at the top of the panel and moving from left to right. Panel to panel and page to page you're still following the standard rules: page 1 to page 2 to page 3 until the end, start at the top of each page and move from left to right and then down. Give it another try -- and if you enjoy the Fleming novels then maybe you'll enjoy the hardcover comics adaptations of those. Casino Royale is out now, Live And Let Die is coming soon.

    Thanks for the advice.

    I still haven't read FAAD. I'm really excited about it but I keep putting it off and reading something else in order to savour my excitement as we only get a new Bond book every three years. Well, I did read the first chapter which read wonderfully but it felt a little rushed.


    Seems, unlikely that the continuations will ever be adapted but I wish Eon would use some of the excellent book titles we've had. I don't know how this side of the business all works though...
  • I just finished FAAD & greatly enjoyed it. I don't see Eon using anybody else's titles (they'd have to pay for the privilege, for one thing) but I wish they'd come up with some better ones for sure...
  • Posts: 17,241
    https://www.radiotimes.com/news/film/2019-09-27/james-bond-author-anthony-horowitz-says-the-character-belongs-in-a-certain-timeline/
    Speaking to RadioTimes.com, Horowitz revealed that he is “in discussions” to potentially write a third 007 book, if he can fit it into his packed schedule. “I would certainly consider it,” he said. “I don’t know when [it’ll happen], because I’m pretty busy at the moment.

    “I’ve got a sequel to [2016 book] Magpie Murders I’ve just finished, literally last week, and I’ve got two more Hawthorne novels [featuring private investigator Daniel Hawthorne] to write, another Alex Rider… but if I can, and if the estate – the Ian Fleming family – and the publishers are happy for me to do it, then I’m certainly game.

    “I would love to. I think there’s one more in me at least.”
  • 00Agent00Agent Any man who drinks Dom Perignon '52 can't be all bad.
    Posts: 5,185
    Nice!
    I thought Trigger Mortis was ok, but FAAD was outstanding, so i would be glad if he returns.
  • Posts: 17,241
    00Agent wrote: »
    Nice!
    I thought Trigger Mortis was ok, but FAAD was outstanding, so i would be glad if he returns.

    Horowitz is one of my favourite writers, so I'm naturally thrilled by this. Just hope he'll find the time to do another!
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited September 2019 Posts: 17,729
    00Agent wrote: »
    Nice!
    I thought Trigger Mortis was ok, but FAAD was outstanding, so i would be glad if he returns.

    Horowitz is one of my favourite writers, so I'm naturally thrilled by this. Just hope he'll find the time to do another!

    According to someone I follow on Twitter Horowitz has said that his next Bond novel would be set at the end of the Fleming Bond novel timeline. This would be something I would greatly welcome, continuing on where Fleming left off in 1964. I suppose that Sebastian Faulks first used that approach with his centenary Bond novel Devil May Care (2008).
  • Agent_99Agent_99 enjoys a spirited ride as much as the next girl
    Posts: 3,099
    00Agent wrote: »
    Nice!
    I thought Trigger Mortis was ok, but FAAD was outstanding, so i would be glad if he returns.

    Horowitz is one of my favourite writers, so I'm naturally thrilled by this. Just hope he'll find the time to do another!

    He's a huge Bond fan so you can bet if he's asked he will MAKE that time.
  • ggl007ggl007 www.archivo007.com Spain, España
    Posts: 2,535
    Can't say much, of course, but he always tries to answer on twitter...

    9ZboTpB.jpg
  • Posts: 17,241
    Agent_99 wrote: »
    00Agent wrote: »
    Nice!
    I thought Trigger Mortis was ok, but FAAD was outstanding, so i would be glad if he returns.

    Horowitz is one of my favourite writers, so I'm naturally thrilled by this. Just hope he'll find the time to do another!

    He's a huge Bond fan so you can bet if he's asked he will MAKE that time.

    Good point!
    ggl007 wrote: »
    Can't say much, of course, but he always tries to answer on twitter...

    9ZboTpB.jpg

    Guess we can read from this that IFP are positive with him doing another.
    _______

  • 00Agent00Agent Any man who drinks Dom Perignon '52 can't be all bad.
    Posts: 5,185
    Well if Anthony is hoping to do a third one, and has an idea ready, then let the man do it.

    Does anyone have sales numbers of his two books? Especially compared to his predecessors?
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,729
    ggl007 wrote: »
    Can't say much, of course, but he always tries to answer on twitter...

    9ZboTpB.jpg

    Yes, he's kindly replied to me too when I made a charitable donation to a friend of his for the publication of Forever and A Day.

    Come to think of it, No More, No Less might even make a good Bond novel title!
  • Posts: 17,241
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    ggl007 wrote: »
    Can't say much, of course, but he always tries to answer on twitter...

    9ZboTpB.jpg

    Yes, he's kindly replied to me too when I made a charitable donation to a friend of his for the publication of Forever and A Day.

    Come to think of it, No More, No Less might even make a good Bond novel title!

    Keep this screenshot in case he uses it! :-D
  • edited September 2019 Posts: 623
    I'd love another Bond from Horowitz, and I think there's a good chance we'll get one. FAAD bucked the trend of 'famous writers doing one Bond', and I'm all for that, because he was the most successful of the four - in terms of readability and fun. Don't know about sales.

    I know the bookend and DB5 in the photo are part of the cinematic Bond, but let me indulge, my picture here of TM Regular 1st, TM Waterstones special edition, FAAD Waterstones signed, and a Goldsboro limited edition signed.

    20190929-014053.jpg

  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 12,916
    Okay, okay, @shamanimal. Very, very, very well done.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,729
    Agent_99 wrote: »
    00Agent wrote: »
    Nice!
    I thought Trigger Mortis was ok, but FAAD was outstanding, so i would be glad if he returns.

    Horowitz is one of my favourite writers, so I'm naturally thrilled by this. Just hope he'll find the time to do another!

    He's a huge Bond fan so you can bet if he's asked he will MAKE that time.

    Good point!
    ggl007 wrote: »
    Can't say much, of course, but he always tries to answer on twitter...

    9ZboTpB.jpg

    Guess we can read from this that IFP are positive with him doing another.
    _______


    Thsts great they got to meet. It'd have been nice to have a picture of Roger Moore or Timothy Dalton meeting then Bond author John Gardner at the time. I dont believe it ever happened though. The two worlds of Bond colliding.
  • edited September 2019 Posts: 17,241
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    Agent_99 wrote: »
    00Agent wrote: »
    Nice!
    I thought Trigger Mortis was ok, but FAAD was outstanding, so i would be glad if he returns.

    Horowitz is one of my favourite writers, so I'm naturally thrilled by this. Just hope he'll find the time to do another!

    He's a huge Bond fan so you can bet if he's asked he will MAKE that time.

    Good point!
    ggl007 wrote: »
    Can't say much, of course, but he always tries to answer on twitter...

    9ZboTpB.jpg

    Guess we can read from this that IFP are positive with him doing another.
    _______


    Thsts great they got to meet. It'd have been nice to have a picture of Roger Moore or Timothy Dalton meeting then Bond author John Gardner at the time. I dont believe it ever happened though. The two worlds of Bond colliding.

    Agree, it would have been cool to see Gardner and Moore/Dalton meeting up!
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited September 2019 Posts: 17,729
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    Agent_99 wrote: »
    00Agent wrote: »
    Nice!
    I thought Trigger Mortis was ok, but FAAD was outstanding, so i would be glad if he returns.

    Horowitz is one of my favourite writers, so I'm naturally thrilled by this. Just hope he'll find the time to do another!

    He's a huge Bond fan so you can bet if he's asked he will MAKE that time.

    Good point!
    ggl007 wrote: »
    Can't say much, of course, but he always tries to answer on twitter...

    9ZboTpB.jpg

    Guess we can read from this that IFP are positive with him doing another.
    _______


    Thsts great they got to meet. It'd have been nice to have a picture of Roger Moore or Timothy Dalton meeting then Bond author John Gardner at the time. I dont believe it ever happened though. The two worlds of Bond colliding.

    Agree, it would have been cool to see Gardner and Moore/Dalton meeting up!

    Indeed it would have. I've never really thought about it until now strangely. Gardner is on record as saying he didn't watch a Bond film after 1979 so that he could focus solely on the Bond books and not be distracted by the on going film series. Such a meeting with one of the Bond actors of the day might have been slightly awkward as a result! :)
  • Posts: 17,241
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    Agent_99 wrote: »
    00Agent wrote: »
    Nice!
    I thought Trigger Mortis was ok, but FAAD was outstanding, so i would be glad if he returns.

    Horowitz is one of my favourite writers, so I'm naturally thrilled by this. Just hope he'll find the time to do another!

    He's a huge Bond fan so you can bet if he's asked he will MAKE that time.

    Good point!
    ggl007 wrote: »
    Can't say much, of course, but he always tries to answer on twitter...

    9ZboTpB.jpg

    Guess we can read from this that IFP are positive with him doing another.
    _______


    Thsts great they got to meet. It'd have been nice to have a picture of Roger Moore or Timothy Dalton meeting then Bond author John Gardner at the time. I dont believe it ever happened though. The two worlds of Bond colliding.

    Agree, it would have been cool to see Gardner and Moore/Dalton meeting up!

    Indeed it would have. I've never really thought about it until now strangely. Gardner is on record as saying he didn't watch a Bond film after 1979 so that he could focus solely on the Bond books and not be distracted by the on going film series. Such a meeting with one of the Bond actors of the day might have been slightly awkward as a result! :)

    It certainly could have been awkward, haha!

    Interesting approach though, not watching the films. I haven't read the Gardner novels, so I don't know how close to the cinematic Bond they were.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,729
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    Agent_99 wrote: »
    00Agent wrote: »
    Nice!
    I thought Trigger Mortis was ok, but FAAD was outstanding, so i would be glad if he returns.

    Horowitz is one of my favourite writers, so I'm naturally thrilled by this. Just hope he'll find the time to do another!

    He's a huge Bond fan so you can bet if he's asked he will MAKE that time.

    Good point!
    ggl007 wrote: »
    Can't say much, of course, but he always tries to answer on twitter...

    9ZboTpB.jpg

    Guess we can read from this that IFP are positive with him doing another.
    _______


    Thsts great they got to meet. It'd have been nice to have a picture of Roger Moore or Timothy Dalton meeting then Bond author John Gardner at the time. I dont believe it ever happened though. The two worlds of Bond colliding.

    Agree, it would have been cool to see Gardner and Moore/Dalton meeting up!

    Indeed it would have. I've never really thought about it until now strangely. Gardner is on record as saying he didn't watch a Bond film after 1979 so that he could focus solely on the Bond books and not be distracted by the on going film series. Such a meeting with one of the Bond actors of the day might have been slightly awkward as a result! :)

    It certainly could have been awkward, haha!

    Interesting approach though, not watching the films. I haven't read the Gardner novels, so I don't know how close to the cinematic Bond they were.

    Some would say that they're as influenced by the films as they are by the books in places. I think it's perhaps inevitable that the films have some sort of influence over the continuation novels. It all depends on the author I suppose and the briefing they're given by Glidrose/IFP.
  • edited September 2019 Posts: 17,241
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    Agent_99 wrote: »
    00Agent wrote: »
    Nice!
    I thought Trigger Mortis was ok, but FAAD was outstanding, so i would be glad if he returns.

    Horowitz is one of my favourite writers, so I'm naturally thrilled by this. Just hope he'll find the time to do another!

    He's a huge Bond fan so you can bet if he's asked he will MAKE that time.

    Good point!
    ggl007 wrote: »
    Can't say much, of course, but he always tries to answer on twitter...

    9ZboTpB.jpg

    Guess we can read from this that IFP are positive with him doing another.
    _______


    Thsts great they got to meet. It'd have been nice to have a picture of Roger Moore or Timothy Dalton meeting then Bond author John Gardner at the time. I dont believe it ever happened though. The two worlds of Bond colliding.

    Agree, it would have been cool to see Gardner and Moore/Dalton meeting up!

    Indeed it would have. I've never really thought about it until now strangely. Gardner is on record as saying he didn't watch a Bond film after 1979 so that he could focus solely on the Bond books and not be distracted by the on going film series. Such a meeting with one of the Bond actors of the day might have been slightly awkward as a result! :)

    It certainly could have been awkward, haha!

    Interesting approach though, not watching the films. I haven't read the Gardner novels, so I don't know how close to the cinematic Bond they were.

    Some would say that they're as influenced by the films as they are by the books in places. I think it's perhaps inevitable that the films have some sort of influence over the continuation novels. It all depends on the author I suppose and the briefing they're given by Glidrose/IFP.

    Interesting. I certainly need to get around to reading the Gardner novels at some point. As far as continuation novels go, I've only read the two by Horowitz, and Solo by William Boyd.

    Re. briefings; I wonder, was IFP particularly on the lookout for an an author willing to keep his novel(s) within the Fleming timeline, or was it just a requirement/wish from Horowitz?
  • edited September 2019 Posts: 623
    I seem to remember Benson was told to write his books with the current movie Bond (Brosnan) in mind. Horowitz is obviously writing 'as Fleming'.
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