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Which Bond novel are you currently reading?

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  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 4,467
    And so on to On Her Majesty's Secret Service

    Not one i've read as much as some of the others. But straight back into loving it again!

    Bond has more of a sense of humour in this, so perhaps Fleming was inspired by how Connery played his character..? Several times he fantasises about Kicking Irma Bunt up her enormous behind!

    I also like the fact that Bond doesn't much like his mission. First his irritability at going to the College of Arms and then his unease at having to go undercover as Sir Hilary Bray.

    I must say with regard to Irma Bunt, the filmmakers got her casting absolutely spot on with Ilse Steppat. It's like she was ripped from the pages of the book!

    Up to the bit where Bond is about to have his cover nearly blown when a fellow agent is caught trespassing at Piz Gloria.

    Wonderful stuff!
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 6,941
    Controversial opinion: Steppat is better than Lotte Lenya. I love how remorseless Steppat stays throughout.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 4,467
    And continuing with On Her Majesty's Secret Service

    Bond's exhilarating escape from Piz Gloria is marvellous writing by Fleming! The chapter title is Bloody Snow! Bond is suffering from exhaustion when he reaches the village of Samaden. With SPECTRE agents closing in he is 'rescued' by Tracy. During their escape by road Bond switches a road sign, causing their pursuers to careen over the edge of a precipice.

    Back in England Bond is ruining everybody's Christmas day after his shenanigans and close escape from Piz Gloria. Mary Goodnight is happy to assist as she detests Turkey and Plum Pudding! (Anyone ever had Plum Pudding..?)

    Bond has Christmas dinner at M's place, where we learn M's hobby is painting watercolours and he thinks Christmas is 'sentimental rubbish' blasting Mrs Hammond for putting Christmas crackers on the dinner table! He also serves some 'very bad Algerian wine' according to Bond!

    Then we get the engrossing chapter when 501-head of scientific research section and the minister of agriculture turn up and the four men go over what they think Blofeld is up to. Chemical Warfare! Which Fleming goes into fascinating detail about.

    Next up Bond knows what Draco can give him for a wedding present!

  • RevelatorRevelator
    Posts: 2,984
    The prelude to the escape from Piz Gloria is one of the most suspensful scenes in all of Fleming. Even if one has already seen the film, the book version is just different enough to create suspense. Bond has to aquire all the supplies he needs before leaving Piz Gloria, or else he won't survive, but he knows his cover is nearly blown and Blofeld will send agents to capture him at any moment. This creates nervewracking tension.

    While I regard the film as superior to the book, and I like that it gives us a scene where Bond and Blofeld get to drop their covers and talk directly to each other, the film doesn't have a scene with as much suspense as the start of Bond's escape from Piz Gloria.
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 6,941
    Revelator wrote: »
    The prelude to the escape from Piz Gloria is one of the most suspensful scenes in all of Fleming. Even if one has already seen the film, the book version is just different enough to create suspense. Bond has to aquire all the supplies he needs before leaving Piz Gloria, or else he won't survive, but he knows his cover is nearly blown and Blofeld will send agents to capture him at any moment. This creates nervewracking tension.

    While I regard the film as superior to the book, and I like that it gives us a scene where Bond and Blofeld get to drop their covers and talk directly to each other, the film doesn't have a scene with as much suspense as the start of Bond's escape from Piz Gloria.

    It is strange how little Bond and Blofeld interact before YOLT.
  • CrabKeyCrabKey
    Posts: 2,229
    Never Send Flowers -- Do send flowers. This novel is dead on arrival.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,902
    CrabKey wrote: »
    Never Send Flowers -- Do send flowers. This novel is dead on arrival.

    Do you offend the house of Dragonpol? It's (obviously) one of my favourites. :)

    Would like to hear more about why you don't like it though?
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    edited September 6 Posts: 7,784
    Reading YOLT atm, very intruiging first chapters. Dikko though, what a character :)) :)) Can't imagine someone saying that kind of stuff out loud today 😳
  • CrabKeyCrabKey
    Posts: 2,229
    @Dragonpol - My problem begins with the fact that Gardner has never impressed me. Amis felt far more authentic. A lot of conversation, especially between M and Bond, doesn't sound natural. Gardner makes too many references to contemporary culture. The name Flicka doesn't roll off the off the tongue and the reference to the book, film, or series strikes me as odd. The villain, his story, and his dastardly deeds don't work for me. The ending, who it involves and where, is fantasyland stuff. Yes, Bond stories are always preposterous, but this fairytale doesn't work for me on any level. And Captain Bond certainly doesn't work. Like Flicka, it's awkward.
  • Reflsin2bourbonsReflsin2bourbons
    Posts: 508
    I very much agree with respect to M and Bond in Gardner's work. M feels constantly at odds with Bond vs Fleming's M that sometimes had periods of warmth.

    Even when Fleming's M was at odds with Bond, I never got the opinion of M being crusty or grumpy for no reason as Gardner's M often seemed to be. Add on the fact he never seems particularly competent during Gardner's run and M is probably one of Gardner's biggest missteps.
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