SOLO - 'The Mystery Of The Incompetent Marketing Campaign'

Dragonpol

doubleoego wrote:

EoN also invented Nabutu or whatever it's called in CR.

Interesting detail I had somehow missed as it kind of sounds like a real African country.

Villiers53

Interesting if somewhat disingenuous article in today's Daily Telegraph regarding Boyle's book featuring an "imaginary" African country.
The journalist suggested the technique was only appropriate for complete fantasy or very camp novels.
I little harsh and I'm not sure if he's actually read the book but given all the African wars in process during 1969 I'm not sure I understand the need to create another but we will see. Perhaps the story demanded a fictional dictator and key inures within a government?

007InVT

Here it is:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/jamesbond/10272392/William-Boyds-James-Bond-is-all-at-sea.html

Bounine

I'm not keen on the idea of a false country but Boyd is being sensible I guess and avoiding potential litigation as said and maybe controversy. That writer is being unjustifiably hard on him I reckon.

Perdogg

Frederick Forsythe invented Zangaro, a fictional west African country similar to Equatorial Guinea.

It almost sounds like Biafra.

Dragonpol

Perdogg wrote:

Frederick Forsythe invented Zangaro, a fictional west African country similar to Equatorial Guinea.

It almost sounds like Biafra.

Yes, and of course he wrote a book on the Biafran war and was critical of the BBC's coverage thereof, so he left them at that point.

Dragonpol

On Solo's plot from The Book Bond blog by John Cox (zencat):
"It’s 1969, and, having just celebrated his forty-fifth birthday, James Bond—British special agent 007—is summoned to headquarters to receive an unusual assignment. Zanzarim, a troubled West African nation, is being ravaged by a bitter civil war, and M directs Bond to quash the rebels threatening the established regime.

Bond’s arrival in Africa marks the start of a feverish mission to discover the forces behind this brutal war—and he soon realizes the situation is far from straightforward. Piece by piece, Bond uncovers the real cause of the violence in Zanzarim, revealing a twisting conspiracy that extends further than he ever imagined.

Moving from rebel battlefields in West Africa to the closed doors of intelligence offices in London and Washington, this novel is at once a gripping thriller, a tensely plotted story full of memorable characters and breathtaking twists, and a masterful study of power and how it is wielded—a brilliant addition to the James Bond canon."


http://www.thebookbond.com/2013/08/first-official-solo-plot-description.html

SaintMark

As usual about as exclusive as Amazon a few days earlier, really a pretentious laugh goes towards the exclusives on CBn.net :-q

Perdogg

@Dragonpol

Here is the description of "the Biafra Story" from [url=http://books.google.com/books/about/Biafra_Story.html?id=fp1xAAAAMAAJ"Google Books"]Google Books[/url]

The Nigerian civil war of the late 1960s was one of the first occassions when Western consciences were awakened and deeply affronted by the level of the suffering and the scale of the atrocity being played out in the African Continent. This book which marked Frederick Forsyth's transition from journalist to author is a record of one of the most brutal conflicts the Third World has ever suffered, it has become a classic of modern war reporting. But it is more than that. It voices one man's outrage not only at the extremes of human violence, but also at the duplicity and self-interest of the Western Governments - most notably, the British, who tacitly accepted or actively aided that violence. The combination of the dramatic events and the shocking exposures combined with the author's forthright and perceptive style makes The Biafra Story as compelling a read today as when it was first written.

Dragonpol

SaintMark wrote:

As usual about as exclusive as Amazon a few days earlier, really a pretentious laugh goes towards the exclusives on CBn.net :-q

Yes, indeed. Awful site I'm glad not to be sullied with through association any more. I've changed the citation accordingly.

Dragonpol

Perdogg wrote:

@Dragonpol

Here is the description of "the Biafra Story" from [url=http://books.google.com/books/about/Biafra_Story.html?id=fp1xAAAAMAAJ"Google Books"]Google Books[/url]

The Nigerian civil war of the late 1960s was one of the first occassions when Western consciences were awakened and deeply affronted by the level of the suffering and the scale of the atrocity being played out in the African Continent. This book which marked Frederick Forsyth's transition from journalist to author is a record of one of the most brutal conflicts the Third World has ever suffered, it has become a classic of modern war reporting. But it is more than that. It voices one man's outrage not only at the extremes of human violence, but also at the duplicity and self-interest of the Western Governments - most notably, the British, who tacitly accepted or actively aided that violence. The combination of the dramatic events and the shocking exposures combined with the author's forthright and perceptive style makes The Biafra Story as compelling a read today as when it was first written.

Yes, some interesting parallels there. Thanks for that, @Perdogg. Jeremy Duns' first novel Free Agent (2009) had some Biafra War background I believe, if you are interested.

Cameron_Mott

I don't want to prejudge but [I do anyway] I am a little bothered by an imaginary country. Not very Fleming. Maybe it is my problem for expecting Fleming when it is Boyd. I'm still all in.

Dragonpol

Cameron_Mott wrote:

I don't want to prejudge but [I do anyway] I am a little bothered by an imaginary country. Not very Fleming. Maybe it is my problem for expecting Fleming when it is Boyd. I'm still all in.

Well, I think it's probably to avoid any political difficulties that might arise with a real country as the continent of Africa was a hotbed of revolution and revolt at that time. Still, as you say, not something Fleming ever did with Bond.

0BradyM0Bondfanatic7

Dragonpol wrote:

Cameron_Mott wrote:

I don't want to prejudge but [I do anyway] I am a little bothered by an imaginary country. Not very Fleming. Maybe it is my problem for expecting Fleming when it is Boyd. I'm still all in.

Well, I think it's probably to avoid any political difficulties that might arise with a real country as the continent of Africa was a hotbed of revolution and revolt at that time. Still, as you say, not something Fleming ever did with Bond.

While I can understand why the decision may seem rather disappointing, we have seen films make up locations before (LTK), and the origins of characters in the films have been changed depending on where they are released (Silva isn't tortured by the Chinese in that country's release of the film, and AVTAK's Dr. Mortner is a Polish communist in the German release instead of a Nazi scientist).

But as @Dragonpol stated, at least this way Boyd doesn't have to worry about upsetting a particular region of the area full on, and it also gives him more creative freedom where not as much research has to go into the study and writing of the setting since he can more or less create a political system, terrain and other aspects of the country on his own.

Bounine

Cameron_Mott wrote:

I don't want to prejudge but [I do anyway] I am a little bothered by an imaginary country. Not very Fleming. Maybe it is my problem for expecting Fleming when it is Boyd. I'm still all in.

Fleming made up Royale-Les-Eaux in Casino Royale. Although it is a town, not a country. I would have preferred it though if Fleming had have used a real town and in the case of Boyd, a real country.

Bentley

Bounine wrote:

Cameron_Mott wrote:

I don't want to prejudge but [I do anyway] I am a little bothered by an imaginary country. Not very Fleming. Maybe it is my problem for expecting Fleming when it is Boyd. I'm still all in.

Fleming made up Royale-Les-Eaux in Casino Royale. Although it is a town, not a country. I would have preferred it though if Fleming had have used a real town and in the case of Boyd, a real country.

Maybe it's going to be the big JC/IFP marketing idea; "Win An All Expenses Payed Trip With James Bond To Zanzarim"!
Seriously, I think it's ok to create a country. As was said by @Perdogg, Forsyth did it - I think for "The Dogs Of War" so we should allow Boyd a little licence to thrill!

Dragonpol

0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:

Dragonpol wrote:

Cameron_Mott wrote:

I don't want to prejudge but [I do anyway] I am a little bothered by an imaginary country. Not very Fleming. Maybe it is my problem for expecting Fleming when it is Boyd. I'm still all in.

Well, I think it's probably to avoid any political difficulties that might arise with a real country as the continent of Africa was a hotbed of revolution and revolt at that time. Still, as you say, not something Fleming ever did with Bond.

While I can understand why the decision may seem rather disappointing, we have seen films make up locations before (LTK), and the origins of characters in the films have been changed depending on where they are released (Silva isn't tortured by the Chinese in that country's release of the film, and AVTAK's Dr. Mortner is a Polish communist in the German release instead of a Nazi scientist).

But as @Dragonpol stated, at least this way Boyd doesn't have to worry about upsetting a particular region of the area full on, and it also gives him more creative freedom where not as much research has to go into the study and writing of the setting since he can more or less create a political system, terrain and other aspects of the country on his own.

Very interesting points on SF and AVTAK release differences depending on the countries. Very odd indeed. Where did you get this information, Brady - @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 ?

Cameron_Mott

Ironic about R-L-E but otherwise everything is a real place though Crab Key is dislocated and mirrored. Mapping those real places is part of my nerd. Small point with Zanzarim but my minor qualm is null after expectations from the new Washington DC teaser.

Seems we are in it to win it now.

Bentley

It would appear that Bond's every move in Washington DC is thwarted by a man with two faces.
My God SOLO is looking more and more unclesque by the minute. Maybe we are in for a remake of "The Spy With My Face"?

Dragonpol

Bentley wrote:

It would appear that Bond's every move in Washington DC is thwarted by a man with two faces.
My God SOLO is looking more and more unclesque by the minute. Maybe we are in for a remake of "The Spy With My Face"?

Or Raymond Benson's Doubleshot?

Perdogg

Dragonpol wrote:

Bentley wrote:

It would appear that Bond's every move in Washington DC is thwarted by a man with two faces.
My God SOLO is looking more and more unclesque by the minute. Maybe we are in for a remake of "The Spy With My Face"?

Or Raymond Benson's Doubleshot?

I hope the author doesn't slime Nixon. I am wondering if Felix Leiter will make an appearance.

Dragonpol

Perdogg wrote:

Dragonpol wrote:

Bentley wrote:

It would appear that Bond's every move in Washington DC is thwarted by a man with two faces.
My God SOLO is looking more and more unclesque by the minute. Maybe we are in for a remake of "The Spy With My Face"?

Or Raymond Benson's Doubleshot?

I hope the author doesn't slime Nixon. I am wondering if Felix Leiter will make an appearance.

Quite probably, although perhaps on an unofficial capacity as it's that type of mission - a literary version of LTK if you will.

Perdogg

Dragonpol wrote:

Perdogg wrote:

Dragonpol wrote:

Bentley wrote:

It would appear that Bond's every move in Washington DC is thwarted by a man with two faces.
My God SOLO is looking more and more unclesque by the minute. Maybe we are in for a remake of "The Spy With My Face"?

Or Raymond Benson's Doubleshot?

I hope the author doesn't slime Nixon. I am wondering if Felix Leiter will make an appearance.

Quite probably, although perhaps on an unofficial capacity as it's that type of mission - a literary version of LTK if you will.

The DEA wasn't established until June of 1973, although Leiter could work for another government agency.

Dragonpol

Perdogg wrote:

Dragonpol wrote:

Perdogg wrote:

Dragonpol wrote:

Bentley wrote:

It would appear that Bond's every move in Washington DC is thwarted by a man with two faces.
My God SOLO is looking more and more unclesque by the minute. Maybe we are in for a remake of "The Spy With My Face"?

Or Raymond Benson's Doubleshot?

I hope the author doesn't slime Nixon. I am wondering if Felix Leiter will make an appearance.

Quite probably, although perhaps on an unofficial capacity as it's that type of mission - a literary version of LTK if you will.

The DEA wasn't established until June of 1973, although Leiter could work for another government agency.

Or maybe just out on his own on a sabbatical?

Bentley

Dragonpol wrote:

Bentley wrote:

It would appear that Bond's every move in Washington DC is thwarted by a man with two faces.
My God SOLO is looking more and more unclesque by the minute. Maybe we are in for a remake of "The Spy With My Face"?

Or Raymond Benson's Doubleshot?

Oh no! Don't bring him into it - I am trying to feel positive about the whole project!

webside80

I'm not going to pre-judge this book, but why are the latest films, and now the books, always based on revenge or solo missions. I miss the stories where Bond was given a mission by M, then did all he could to spy on people an infiltrate organisations to get the information to bring down the "baddie's" plot.

Bounine

Interesting new synopsis. A man with two faces? Let's hope they don't mean literally.

webside80 wrote:

I'm not going to pre-judge this book, but why are the latest films, and now the books, always based on revenge or solo missions. I miss the stories where Bond was given a mission by M, then did all he could to spy on people an infiltrate organisations to get the information to bring down the "baddie's" plot.

Yeah, same. A lot of the stories have become too personal. It's like they think that they can't have character movement without a personal story.

Dragonpol

I think the next Bond film should move back into this area, though. Well, I hope so at least.

0BradyM0Bondfanatic7

Dragonpol wrote:

0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:

Dragonpol wrote:

Cameron_Mott wrote:

I don't want to prejudge but [I do anyway] I am a little bothered by an imaginary country. Not very Fleming. Maybe it is my problem for expecting Fleming when it is Boyd. I'm still all in.

Well, I think it's probably to avoid any political difficulties that might arise with a real country as the continent of Africa was a hotbed of revolution and revolt at that time. Still, as you say, not something Fleming ever did with Bond.

While I can understand why the decision may seem rather disappointing, we have seen films make up locations before (LTK), and the origins of characters in the films have been changed depending on where they are released (Silva isn't tortured by the Chinese in that country's release of the film, and AVTAK's Dr. Mortner is a Polish communist in the German release instead of a Nazi scientist).

But as @Dragonpol stated, at least this way Boyd doesn't have to worry about upsetting a particular region of the area full on, and it also gives him more creative freedom where not as much research has to go into the study and writing of the setting since he can more or less create a political system, terrain and other aspects of the country on his own.

Very interesting points on SF and AVTAK release differences depending on the countries. Very odd indeed. Where did you get this information, Brady - @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 ?

Well, the comment about Mortner was something I read in a brief section on the character found on AVTAK's Wikipedia page, whereas the censorship of Skyfall in China made quite big news at the time of its release over there. These links should satisfy your curiosity:

http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/01/21/license-to-cut-skyfall-censored-in-china/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/17/skyfall-censored-china-bond_n_2495528.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/jamesbond/9815154/Skyfall-heavily-edited-by-Chinese-Government-censors.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-21115987

Considering that the series has previously explored Cold War tensions, British-Russian détente, drugs, and more, there is bound to be more instances of censorship in the franchise's past. Could make for another interesting Bondologist Blog article, eh? ;)

marketto007

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