Top 5 Bond novels...

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  • goldenswissroyalegoldenswissroyale Switzerland
    Posts: 4,489
    Birdleson wrote: »
    I’ve only read five Fleming books so far. My ranking is:

    1. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
    2. Casino Royale
    3. You Only Live Twice
    4. Moonraker
    5. Thunderball

    Soon I will try to read more.

    Those first four, along with FRWL, are the cream of the crop by general consensus. Of course TB is also full of great stuff, but it doesn't, I think for most readers, fulfill at that level (but that two page introductory description of Blofeld is sure excellent). To me, both Short Story collections also stand with the elite. They give insight into Bond's psyche at a level that the novels do not.

    Those 5—CR, MR, FRWL, OHMSS, YOLT—do seem to be the most highly regarded in general. Though I've never quite understood why TB doesn't find its way among them. The novel is grand in scope, Domino is one of Fleming's more interesting and more finely drawn Bond girls, and the prose is in top form throughout. I'll have to give it a re-read at some point, but TB was one of my three favorites after my last read through
    Why isn't TB in my top five? Because some chapters bored me. However, it's true that Domino is a great character, I love every page with her involvement. And I'm a fan of the first few chapters (my favourite M/Moneypenny scene of the novels, Shrublands, Blofeld's intro).

  • It's Fleming's descriptive writing that keeps me drawn in throughout the latter half of the book. He's really in his element whenever he describes the world underwater. That chapter where Bond explores the downed jet filled with bat-like octopi is downright chilling.
  • ThunderballThunderball playing Chemin de Fer in a casino, downing Vespers
    Posts: 815
    Funnily enough, I plan to read FRWL next.

    As for TB, I enjoyed the hell out of it. Because TB was, at the time, my favorite Bond film, it was the first Bond novel I read, 14 years ago. I did miss Fiona from the book, but it’s still a fun ride. We’ll see where I’ll rank it after I finish reading all 14 books.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,232
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    1. FRWL
    2. MR
    3. OHMSS
    4. TLD (I know its a short story, but i love it!)
    5. TMWGG (agree it feels incomplete, but i enjoy reading it!)

    I have always appreciated that little book, against Fleming's own opinion, of course. I like the fact that we experience Bond as a secondary character, and that we look at him through the eyes of a girl. I really would've wanted Fleming to continue with this experiment, giving us a story from the POV of a villain whose seemingly unthwartable plan is nevertheless stopped by a relentless James Bond and whose every failed effort to dispose of Bond cripples both his vanity and his self-esteem more and more.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,186
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    1. FRWL
    2. MR
    3. OHMSS
    4. TLD (I know its a short story, but i love it!)
    5. TMWGG (agree it feels incomplete, but i enjoy reading it!)

    I have always appreciated that little book, against Fleming's own opinion, of course. I like the fact that we experience Bond as a secondary character, and that we look at him through the eyes of a girl. I really would've wanted Fleming to continue with this experiment, giving us a story from the POV of a villain whose seemingly unthwartable plan is nevertheless stopped by a relentless James Bond and whose every failed effort to dispose of Bond cripples both his vanity and his self-esteem more and more.

    I like TSWLM, for some of those reasons too. It's nice to see Bond step into the story later on while it gives a more rounded characterisation of the Bond girl as the first part is fully devoted to her.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,511
    MR
    OHMSS
    FRWL
    YOLT
    CR

    I always want to package TMWTGG with YOLT in my ratings— as said already, TMWTGG is on the lighter side, but what’s there is incredible... And the conclusion of YOLT always leaves me needing to read Fleming’s final novel.
  • Posts: 7,507
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    1. FRWL
    2. MR
    3. OHMSS
    4. TLD (I know its a short story, but i love it!)
    5. TMWGG (agree it feels incomplete, but i enjoy reading it!)

    I have always appreciated that little book, against Fleming's own opinion, of course. I like the fact that we experience Bond as a secondary character, and that we look at him through the eyes of a girl. I really would've wanted Fleming to continue with this experiment, giving us a story from the POV of a villain whose seemingly unthwartable plan is nevertheless stopped by a relentless James Bond and whose every failed effort to dispose of Bond cripples both his vanity and his self-esteem more and more.

    I like TSWLM, for some of those reasons too. It's nice to see Bond step into the story later on while it gives a more rounded characterisation of the Bond girl as the first part is fully devoted to her.

    I strongly believe TSWLM provides some of the tensest and most engageing segments in all of Fleming. I get sucked into the story every time, feeling a great worry and care for the unfortunate girl and the nightmare she has gotten herself into. Although I know it will happen, I always feel a great sense of relief when Bond finally enters the story and saves the day.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,820
    MR
    OHMSS
    FRWL
    TSWLM
    OP & TLD
  • jobo wrote: »
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    1. FRWL
    2. MR
    3. OHMSS
    4. TLD (I know its a short story, but i love it!)
    5. TMWGG (agree it feels incomplete, but i enjoy reading it!)

    I have always appreciated that little book, against Fleming's own opinion, of course. I like the fact that we experience Bond as a secondary character, and that we look at him through the eyes of a girl. I really would've wanted Fleming to continue with this experiment, giving us a story from the POV of a villain whose seemingly unthwartable plan is nevertheless stopped by a relentless James Bond and whose every failed effort to dispose of Bond cripples both his vanity and his self-esteem more and more.

    I like TSWLM, for some of those reasons too. It's nice to see Bond step into the story later on while it gives a more rounded characterisation of the Bond girl as the first part is fully devoted to her.

    I strongly believe TSWLM provides some of the tensest and most engageing segments in all of Fleming. I get sucked into the story every time, feeling a great worry and care for the unfortunate girl and the nightmare she has gotten herself into. Although I know it will happen, I always feel a great sense of relief when Bond finally enters the story and saves the day.

    Oh yes, Fleming ratchets up the terror and Bond's entry into the story is well overdue and most satisfying.
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,992
    Right now, my top 5 is...

    1. OHMSS
    2. MR
    3. CR
    4. YOLT
    5. FRWL


    Top 5 is always Fleming, after that, it's a mixture.
  • goldenswissroyalegoldenswissroyale Switzerland
    Posts: 4,489
    I also like TSWLM. Strange that I even like the first third that much.
    Birdleson wrote: »

    I should add that DN is another one that shows up on a lot of top Fleming lists. It's probably six for me.

    I'm one of them. I always have a great time reading DN. The perfect book for summer holidays. It's completely different to FRWL (a smart spy thriller) but the exotic adventure of DN is very entertaining.
  • edited December 2020 Posts: 618
    On Her Majesty's Secret Service
    Moonraker
    From Russia With Love
    Live and Let Die
    Doctor No

  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384
    My top five ......

    OHMSS
    Moonraker
    Dr No
    Thunderball
    Live and Let Die
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    edited January 2021 Posts: 4,679
    1. Carte Blanche
    2. Devil May Care
    3. Icebreaker
    4. For Special Services
    5. Solo

    Just a joke... for now.
  • ChulaChula New York
    Posts: 19
    YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE
    - "What does he collect?
    - "He collects death."
    No better words were ever written in a Bond novel. Yes, the first half of the book is travelogue, but the finale is brilliant. So creepy and gothic and dark and satisfying. A very different Bond novel, and that's what makes it so fantastic.

    ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE
    fantastic globe-hopping Bond adventure. The two chapters of Bond escaping Piz Gloria are incredibly well written. Fleming had a knack for writing these action set pieces.

    LIVE AND LET DIE
    very fast moving, brutally violent. And the action set piece of Bond's scuba trek to the island once again is a showcase for Fleming's writing skills.

    MOONRAKER
    guy loses a game of bridge so he deals with it by trying to wipe out London with a rocket. Pure lunacy. Perfect for the world of Bond.

    DR. NO
    set the template for the way films were initially made. Bond and girl venture off to stop a mad man. Simple story told well. And of course it has the iconic Bond elements (deformed mad villain, exotic location, girl with the funny/sexy name, villain hideaway...).

  • Posts: 1,469
    I just want to say thanks all for your lists and reviews, and for Birdleson's nudge...it helped me to just order OHMSS, MR, DN and FRWL. I already have CR and TB and read and enjoyed CR but haven't made it all the way through TB yet. I've always been more of a film guy than a book guy, but it's hard to resist Ian Fleming.
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