Anyone read James Bond books?

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Utoo

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Yeah, so having just seen Casino Royale, I'm on a James Bond kick right now. Has anyone read any of the Fleming books? Any favorites/recommendations?





Mods---This seemed a little more movie (character)-specific for Lemonade Stand, so it's here. Feel free to move it if need be.
 
I went through a James Bond phase years ago and read every one of the Fleming books, and those written later ... James Gardner, maybe?

It's a very different James Bond you see in the books than in most of the movies. I thought Casino Royale was a refreshing movie because James Bond was closer to what he was supposed to be in the books - rougher, colder, not just all charm and suave and drinks, girls and gadgets.
 
I've heard that On Her Majesty's Secret Service is supposed to be the best of the books. Did you have a favorite?
 
I honestly can't remember which ones I liked. This was back in junior high when I had my James Bond phase, and that was ... oh god, like 15-20 years ago.

(Geez, I feel old now. :lol: )
 
You are old, embrace it and your status as an elder interference statesman. Stateswoman. Etc.

I've read a handful of Bond books and while, like Corianderstem, I read them like 20 years ago, I know I liked On Her Majesty's Secret Service best.
 
Considering I was a hormonal teenager at the time, the ones I liked best were probably the ones where James flirted with Moneypenny.

:wink:
 
corianderstem said:
Considering I was a hormonal teenager at the time, the ones I liked best were probably the ones where James flirted with Moneypenny.

:wink:

At the time, any time someone got killed, I was fairly happy. What? Was my childhood dark? No!

:)

Seriously, I just enjoyed the action best then because I was just a boy.
 
I've been wanting to start reading the books ever since I saw Casino Royale. Maybe I'll start. :drool:
 
Oh no, don't start with OHMSS.

It is a great book, but you'll spoil EVERYTHING. The books aren't like the movies; you can't read one and digest it without reading the ones before it.

Start with Casino Royale (first book) - it has quite a few differences from the movie. You'll notice MUCH greater development of characters, and Bond actually has friends. Felix Leiter is a mainstay throughout the series, and an awesomely constructed character by Fleming.

If you feel like you don't want to read CR, then go to the next one: Live and Let Die. Then so on. You should be able to find a chronological list someplace.

Ones that I enjoyed more than the others included Moonraker, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice. The ones I advise you watch out for (generally perceived as inferior) are Diamonds are Forever, The Spy Who Loved Me (Bond's not the main character) and The Man With the Golden Gun (Fleming died before it was finished; his successor wrapped it up. Pretty much all of the novels after Fleming are less than charming).

But read them in order. I didn't, take my advice. They're best as a series.
 
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