Bond, James Bond

[jhempel24]

Just read Casino Royale, never seen the film, and never read a Bond book before.

WOW....what a difference in reading the books vs watching a typical Bond movie.

It was 140 pages, was damn boring until like page 70. No spy gadgets, a bit of action, and of course a "Bond Girl", but wow....nothing like what I was expecting. I wonder if the Gardner or Benson books are any different. I did buy Live and Let Die and converted from .azw to .epub, and I think I'll like them now that I know what to expect.

But wow....perhaps this may be an instance where the movies are better than the books?

[rhadin]

The movie with Daniel Craig was excellent, as is the the new Bond movie, Skyfall. The Bond books were never know to be great masterpieces. In fact, Fleming changed the Bond character after seeing Sean Connery in the first movie.

[HarryT]

Fleming was known for the meticulous research he put into his books. They aren't literary masterpieces, but I think they're pretty well written.

[jhempel24]

That's interesting! I did enjoy the book. It just wasn't the roller coaster I expected. I'll look for differences in the character when I get that point!

You can definitely tell there was an absurd amount of research and detail. I got a very clear picture of what was going on. Sometimes it was a little bogged down with it though.

[orlok]

The truth is that apart from the early Bond movies, they bear no more resemblance to the books than the hero's name and the title. Try reading The Spy Who Loved Me, for instance, and compare it to the film. They couldn't possibly be further apart (and actually, I preferred the book, even if it is a bit dated in its values).

[DrNefario]

I was going to mention Spy Who Loved Me. It's the only Bond book I've read, and was the first Bond film I ever saw (which could probably be used to work out my age - it might even have been the first time I went to a cinema), and they have nothing at all in common. That kind of put me off reading any more.

[HarryT]

"The Spy Who Loved Me" was the first film which took the title of a Bond book, but a completely unrelated plot, basically because they'd run out of those which could sensibly be made into films. The book only has Bond as a minor character who appears two thirds of the way through it!

[stop__dreaming]

Agree with Harry, I think Fleming's Bond novels are well written.

I enjoyed Casino Royale but not read any others as of yet.

Lots of differences between the books and films including Bond's favourite tipple...

[usuallee]

Always enjoyed the Bond movies (probably going to see Skyfall this weekend, can't wait). Then a few years ago. I tried a Fleming novel. Think it may have been From Russia With Love. Meh. Didn't get more than 20 pages in.

Wouldn't be opposed to giving them another go at some point. For anyone who had read most of them, is there one that stands out as the best, or as the one to start with?

[jhempel24]

Originally Posted by usuallee

Always enjoyed the Bond movies (probably going to see Skyfall this weekend, can't wait). Then a few years ago. I tried a Fleming novel. Think it may have been From Russia With Love. Meh. Didn't get more than 20 pages in.

Wouldn't be opposed to giving them another go at some point. For anyone who had read most of them, is there one that stands out as the best, or as the one to start with?

I've heard Live and Let Die was really good, but I've not read it, just bought it.

And I can't wait to get into the John Gardner/Raymond Benson/Sebastian Faulks/Jeffrey Deaver books. I've heard good things about those.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by usuallee

Wouldn't be opposed to giving them another go at some point. For anyone who had read most of them, is there one that stands out as the best, or as the one to start with?

All the early ones are pretty good, I think. "From Russia, With Love" is one of my favourites.

[holymadness]

BookRiot ran a column a few weeks ago where they ranked their favourite Bond novels. Moonraker ended up on top.

[pwalker8]

I read the Bond books a long while ago. I actually enjoyed the books, but I first had to mentally accept that the books and movies were not even remotely related.

[jersysman]

The original Casino Royale did not have that much action compared to the other early Bond movies. So the book was close in that regard. The newer film version was a lot different.

[rhadin]

Skyfall is everything I expect from a Bond movie; definitely great entertainment. My wife and I certainly recommend it.

But if you want to see what I think is the best movie of 2012 and should win Oscars for Best Movie, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, Best everything, it is Spielberg's Lincoln. There is not a badly played role in the movie; in fact, I'm not sure there is even a mediocre played role -- the acting was superb. Lincoln is by far the best movie I have seen in a very long time. It is not a "fun" movie; it is a serious drama. Daniel Day-Lewis is outstanding as Lincoln and Sally Field is equally outstanding as Mary Todd Lincoln. I can't praise the movie enough.