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MI6 Community Novel Bondathon - Reborn!

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  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,270
    Quantum of Solace sure was an interesting read. I liked the story; it has a lot to say about human nature and has several unpleasantly relatable aspects.

    I don’t think I can rank the short stories along with the full-length novels. Too different, but just as excellent. I may do a separate ranking of all the short stories though.
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,270
    Birdleson wrote: »
    I like Bond's change n perspective by the end of the short story QOS. Suddenly his life and occupation seem childish and small.

    That was a really nice touch - the last line stuck with me. It’s funny how the Governor didn’t think he could make Bond interested, but went as far as to make Bond so interested he became uninterested with what he already knew. Didn’t really expect the story I got with QoS, especially with Bond not in the spotlight, but it was great nonetheless!
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    edited May 2019 Posts: 13,034
    In a different but still similar way, for the film Quantum of Solace Bond and Camille walking through the desert to momentarily mingle with the locals getting onto the bus and riding out of there was a rare moment. A sobering pause for effect, then he's back to pursuing his mission. Energized by humanity.

    Can I add: 'Surround yourself with human beings... They are easier to fight for than principles.'
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,270
    Risico was another excellent short story. Lots of action and interesting characters! The FYEO film did a great job implementing stuff from the FYEO and Risico stories. Hoping I’ll have time to finish the FYEO collection later tonight with The Hildebrand Rarity.
  • RevelatorRevelator
    Posts: 2,896
    FoxRox wrote: »
    The FYEO film did a great job implementing stuff from the FYEO and Risico stories.

    It did, and it strikes me that Michael G. Wilson's career as a screenwriter began and ended with films that deftly integrated large parts of Fleming's work into contemporary stories: For Your Eyes Only and Licence to Kill. It's also fitting that Richard Maibaum, who often spoke about getting back to Fleming's work, co-wrote those films.
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,270
    Revelator wrote: »
    FoxRox wrote: »
    The FYEO film did a great job implementing stuff from the FYEO and Risico stories.

    It did, and it strikes me that Michael G. Wilson's career as a screenwriter began and ended with films that deftly integrated large parts of Fleming's work into contemporary stories: For Your Eyes Only and Licence to Kill. It's also fitting that Richard Maibaum, who often spoke about getting back to Fleming's work, co-wrote those films.

    That is pretty interesting. Did not know that before!

    Finished the FYEO collection. The Hildebrand Rarity was once again a really great short story! Really interesting conclusion especially! On average I enjoyed these shorter tales at least as much as the full-length novels. Just awesome stuff! I’ll read the OP + TLD collection next before returning to the full-length novels with TB.

    Novel Ranking:
    1. Dr. No
    2. Moonraker
    3. Live and Let Die
    4. From Russia with Love
    5. Casino Royale
    6. Goldfinger
    7. Diamonds Are Forever

    Short Story Ranking:
    1. For Your Eyes Only
    2. Risico
    3. The Hildebrand Rarity
    4. Quantum of Solace
    5. From a View to a Kill
  • Agent_99Agent_99 enjoys a spirited ride as much as the next girl
    Posts: 3,108
    I look forward to seeing what you think of OP and TLD, @FoxRox!

    View to a Kill is one of my favourites, but I seem to be in a minority there.
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,270
    Read through Octopussy and The Property of a Lady. Both good, but so far I prefer the stories in the FYEO collection. I’ll finish up the last two short stories sometime tonight.

    Novel Ranking:
    1. Dr. No
    2. Moonraker
    3. Live and Let Die
    4. From Russia with Love
    5. Casino Royale
    6. Goldfinger
    7. Diamonds Are Forever

    Short Story Ranking:
    1. For Your Eyes Only
    2. Risico
    3. The Hildebrand Rarity
    4. Quantum of Solace
    5. From a View to a Kill
    6. Octopussy
    7. The Property of a Lady
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,270
    Finished the OP + TLD collection (all the short stories). Enjoyed TLD a ton! 007 in New York was amusing but not fleshed out enough for me to rank it higher than last of the short stories. Overall I found the Bond short stories really awesome, and on par if not even better than the novels on average. Still have 5 full length ones to enjoy left!

    Novel Ranking:
    1. Dr. No
    2. Moonraker
    3. Live and Let Die
    4. From Russia with Love
    5. Casino Royale
    6. Goldfinger
    7. Diamonds Are Forever

    Short Story Ranking:
    1. For Your Eyes Only
    2. Risico
    3. The Hildebrand Rarity
    4. The Living Daylights
    5. Quantum of Solace
    6. From a View to a Kill
    7. Octopussy
    8. The Property of a Lady
    9. 007 in New York
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,474
    No, being sick was just really rough, didn't do much of anything. On the mend, though, I'll finish it up eventually.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,474
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Herpes?

    You psychic!
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,270
    Took a break after the short stories. I should be back to start TB soon though.
  • PropertyOfALadyPropertyOfALady Colders Federation CEO
    Posts: 3,675
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Anybody caught up to me yet?

    Where are you?
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,474
    Sounds good to me. I'm going to make a conscious effort to finish them up sooner rather than later. Bought some other new books recently that I'd like to get around to, but I want to finish up this novel Bondathon before I do.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,459
    Fine with me as I own that one now.
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,270
    I’m way behind at TB, and not sure when I’ll be ready, but I’d be up for that whenever I can. I’ll try to start TB in the next day or two.
  • Agent_99Agent_99 enjoys a spirited ride as much as the next girl
    Posts: 3,108
    I'll do Colonel Sun! I haven't read it for yonks. (If we started it at the start of June I could take it on holiday?)
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,270
    You guys can start without me if you want. I’m not sure how long I’ll be.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    edited May 2019 Posts: 40,474
    If everyone is waiting for me, feel free to press on. I'm not sure when I'll get around to it and I don't want everyone pumping the brakes again for me. I'll get to them eventually. Sorry everyone. I think 99 and 4Ever aren't doing the whole series.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited May 2019 Posts: 17,809
    Coming late to the party but I wouldn't mind giving Colonel Sun a reread again myself. I've a few pieces to write on it and it would serve to refresh my memory. It's my personal favourite Bond continuation novel.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,809
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Cool. We'll wait for everyone.

    Sounds like a plan! :)
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,270
    5 chapters into TB. So far so good.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,459
    Ok be sure to let me know when to start talking about Col. Sun. Thanks.
  • RevelatorRevelator
    Posts: 2,896
    On a related note, here's a BBC recording of Kingsley Amis discussing Licence to Kill. Unfortunately his opinion is rather disappointing.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited May 2019 Posts: 17,809
    Revelator wrote: »
    On a related note, here's a BBC recording of Kingsley Amis discussing Licence to Kill. Unfortunately his opinion is rather disappointing.

    Wow, that's quite a find, @Revelator! Like most stuff you turn up, I'd no idea that existed, but I'm glad it does. I've never really heard Amis comment on Moore (whom he met on the set of TSWLM in September 1976) or Dalton as Bond before (he mentions Connery in the Dossier and elsewhere).

    As you say though, ultimately it's rather disappointing in nature with Amis not seeming to like Dalton as Bond very much or recognising the increasing use of Fleming in his films. It was encouraging (and surprising!) to hear Amis say he's going to go and see LTK multiple times at the cinema though.

    I always got the impression from his writings on Bond that he never cared for the films very much, when compared with the Bond novels. It reminds me that I must complete an article on Kingsley Amis' views on the Bond films that I've been working on for some time and this will be an important source! Its title came to me recently: 'Kingsley Amis considers the James Bond Films'.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited May 2019 Posts: 17,809
    Birdleson wrote: »
    I don't know @Dragonpol , I just don't feel that title is adequately descriptive.

    Yes, I had another title that was more specific to one particular film and then I decided I wanted to expand it to other Bond films he commented on so that title sums it up best.

    I hope that it conveys a certain amount of studied detachment, hearty disdain, elitism and condescension on the part of Amis, as most of his comments on the films were negative in nature! It's kind of like he's putting on white gloves to "consider" the Bond films. I wanted to convey the sense that he's above that sort of thing.

    I concede that it's not the greatest title in the world but I think it sums up Amis' take on the Bond films well enough. That said, if I can come up with anything better it may only turn out to be a working title.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited May 2019 Posts: 17,809
    Birdleson wrote: »
    I was being facetious, it's fine title.

    Yes, I did think so a little! :)

    It's a simpler title than the earlier iteration!
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    edited May 2019 Posts: 12,270
    Finished up TB. Another very enjoyable read - the second half was particularly thrilling! One thing I really loved that the movie version added was Fiona's character, which I missed a bit while reading, but still the rest made up for it. Blofeld's introduction was great, Largo was a good villain, Domino was a good Bond girl, and we got a lot of Felix which is always appreciated by me! I hate to rank it so low, but that's just a testament to how great all the stories are. FRWL, CR, and TB are all pretty neck-and-neck(-and-neck) in my estimation.

    Novel Ranking:
    1. Dr. No
    2. Moonraker
    3. Live and Let Die
    4. From Russia with Love
    5. Casino Royale
    6. Thunderball
    7. Goldfinger
    8. Diamonds Are Forever

    Short Story Ranking:
    1. For Your Eyes Only
    2. Risico
    3. The Hildebrand Rarity
    4. The Living Daylights
    5. Quantum of Solace
    6. From a View to a Kill
    7. Octopussy
    8. The Property of a Lady
    9. 007 in New York
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,270
    It’s a good one for sure, but there were a couple chapters that dragged a bit that kept it from reaching the upper tier for me. I think I prefer the film a little. Already started a couple chapters of TSWLM, which is looking to be one of the most unique ones!
  • PropertyOfALadyPropertyOfALady Colders Federation CEO
    Posts: 3,675
    Sorry to break in, but I've just finished The Man With the Golden Gun.
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