James Bond books

[edenri]

I'll be honest I've never read any of them. I would like to though, but which should I start with?

[ratcheer]

I definitely advise taking them in order of publication. I think Dr. No was first. Once you get one, there is usually an ordered list in the front of the book.

It is not absolutely necessary to read them in order, but some of them do have a kind of flow from one to the next. Also, you'll get a better idea of how Fleming developed the character over a period of years.

Tim

[norman931]

Casino Royale is the first Bond book; Dr. No was, I think, the first Connery movie. I just finished reading Casino Royale, and enjoyed it. The James Bond character seems much more human in the book. If you like Bond because of his "license to kill," you will be disappointed. He kills two people in the book, both in flashbacks. The body count of the movies is, IMO, mind-numbing. I want to read more books in the series.

[drP]

There are 15 Bond pockets written by Ian Fleming; nice books to read when you're on the beach fi. Recently i bought all of them in one auction on Dutch Ebay for $35,-

Peter

[ratcheer]

Casino Royale is the first Bond book; Dr. No was, I think, the first Connery movie. I just finished reading Casino Royale, and enjoyed it. The James Bond character seems much more human in the book. If you like Bond because of his "license to kill," you will be disappointed. He kills two people in the book, both in flashbacks. The body count of the movies is, IMO, mind-numbing. I want to read more books in the series.

You are correct. Here is a listing of the novels:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bond_%28novels%29

Dr. No was actually the sixth.

Tim

[berzerkeleyan]

Start with the first, "Casino Royale."

[Adair]

The books are so superior to the movies, especially to the movies made from the 70's on, that you won't even recognize James Bond as being the same character that is portrayed in the films. As a previous poster rightly noted, he is much more human in the novels. And the writing is rather good, in a Somerset Maugham sort of way. Also read Anthony Burgess's hilarious yet profound spoof of Ian Fleming, "Tremor of Intent."

[scorpion]

I read them all in order 15 years ago. You'll see quickly that James Bond is not the guy of the movies. He's a much more human and likeble guy. The most recent guy, Daniel Craig, did the best true Bond rendition in my opinion. I's not great literature and the books are a bit dated but I still enjoyed them very much.

[BrianM]

The books are so superior to the movies, especially to the movies made from the 70's on, that you won't even recognize James Bond as being the same character that is portrayed in the films. As a previous poster rightly noted, he is much more human in the novels. And the writing is rather good, in a Somerset Maugham sort of way. Also read Anthony Burgess's hilarious yet profound spoof of Ian Fleming, "Tremor of Intent."

I've read a few and found the Bond of the books to be far superior, especially as I've grown older. I could actually identify with the thought processes of the Bond in the book. Plus, the books deal the the "in between" times -- Bond in the office. I found that a kick!

In one scene from Moonraker (book is really quite good, movie not so much), Bond saves a girl and...throws up from the adrenaline! I mean that is so different from a sexually-oriented quip!

The book vs. movie Bonds are so different, I just think of them as different characters. I used to really enjoy the Connery Bond movies (and still do), but they are pretty one dimensional. I have a hard time watching the Moore movies. God help me, I kind of enjoy the Dalton movies. Haven't seen the new yet, but if it's closer to the book, I think I'll enjoy it a lot.

[MJB]

I've read them all by Fleming. Sorta found them shallow even when I read them in middle school--didn't even shave at the time. Can't imagine how I would find them now.

They are much slower than the moviews. Lots of desciptions of things like cigarettes and toast and technique for using a knife as a weapon.

I din't know why I read them all--just felt like I had too I guess.

[ouch]

I still think the best delivery of the line, "Bond, James Bond." was by Tom Hanks in Batchelor Party.

[patrisVII]

.....God help me, I kind of enjoy the Dalton movies. Haven't seen the new yet, but if it's closer to the book, I think I'll enjoy it a lot.

Mr. Dalton was the only actor so far in the series who deliberately formed his character on Flemming's depiction. I do think Dalton's Bond was the most human and emotive by far, but this was against type as far as the films went and it resulted in his seeming morose and indecisive in comparison.

I have not seen Mr. Craig's Bond yet but I loved him in Layer Cake.

[philamac]

I lost interest when Timothy Dalton left, as the Brosnan movies seemed to be based on stunts and gadgets and weak jokes to an extent that it nearly put me off Bond for life.

But I went to see Casino Royale, it was fantastic!!!!!! It is like a fresh start for 007, and even friends who did not normally like Bond really enjoyed it. The franchise had become for fans only, but Casino Royale was not just a great Bond movie, it was a great movie full stop. Daniel Craig bought depth and a real sense of danger to the character which Dalton had also tried to do.

I have bought the novel and cannot wait to start reading it. maybe we should start an online discussion group!!!!

PS, Apparently 007 favoured Floris cologne, purchased from the Jermyn Street shop.

[edenri]

Just picked up Casino Royale yesterday. Only read a little,
I think I found some books to keep me interested for a while though. Thanks for all the help guys.

At the end of the day he lit his seventieth cigarette

[philamac]

At the end of the day he lit his seventieth cigarette

Yes, that jumped out of the page at me too....