James Bond books

[Kino]

Anyone here a big James Bond fan like myself?

Wondering if anyone has read any Bond books?

 

[Nebulous]

Anyone here a big James Bond fan like myself?

Wondering if anyone has read any Bond books?

Never read the books but loved the movies.

 

[Ja sa bong]

I don't know there were any James Bond books.

I'm only aware of the movies and I have watched all of them.

I'm a serious fan of the 007 brand.

 

[Mendalla]

I don't know there were any James Bond books.

Yep. James Bond was created by British thriller writer Ian Fleming in the 1950s. He even co-wrote on of the first screen treatments for a Bond movie, though the project fell apart and the treatment became the novel Thunderball instead, which then became the basis for two movies (Thunderball and Never Say Never Again). His estate has commissioned novels from several other writers since, including one from Kingsley Amis, a large number (forget how many) from John Gardner, a smaller number from Raymond Benson, and then some standalones from a variety of authors since the Benson series ended.

List of James Bond novels and short stories - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Anyone here a big James Bond fan like myself?

Wondering if anyone has read any Bond books?

I was for a time. Saw my first Bond movie as a kid, maybe 11 or 12, and then read the Fleming and Gardner novels throughout high school and university. I was often in the theater for new 007 films on opening night and caught up with the older ones via television and home video. I kind of fell off the bandwagon during the Brosnan years and have not gone back. I like what I've heard about the Craig movies so have good intentions about getting caught up, maybe before they finally announce the next Bond.

In terms of the books, I've read all of Fleming, most of Gardner, and some Benson. Have not tried any of the post-Benson standalones, though some are by fairly reputable crime and thriller authors so could be good.

I think Fleming's are the best, and there's often significant differences from the movies. For instance, I think the novel Moonraker is far superior to the film version (better female lead, more grounded plot involving nuclear terrorism rather than space travel and bioweapons).

Though Gardner was arguably a better writer, his stories tended too much towards being screen treatments. I remember one even having an obvious pre-title scene in the first chapter where Bond teams up with some air marshals to stop a plane hijacking. Ironically, the neverending animosity between the estate and the movie people ultimately kept his novels (or any of the ones post-Fleming) from being filmed.

 

[Mendalla]

My favourite Bond book, by the way, is probably Fleming's short story collection For Your Eyes Only. The title story and Risico ended up being mashed up to create the story for the movie For Your Eyes Only. A View To A Kill was also used for a movie, but they pretty much just used the title. The original story is actually a tense piece centred around a motorcycle chase that ends with the "Bond girl" saving James' sorry little ass. There is about 5 or 6 short stories total in the collection but the others have not stuck with me.

 

[passenger]

James Bond was created by British thriller writer Ian Fleming in the 1950s.

These (paperback) were the first books away from school that got me started with recreational, enjoyable, {(voluntary )} reading.

 

[Mendalla]

These (paperback) were the first books away from school that got me started with recreational, enjoyable, {(voluntary )} reading.

I think they're good that way. Not difficult to read, fairly snappy storytelling and interesting plots, plus the connection to a popular movie franchise.

 

[Daltonio]

The only original Fleming novel I've read is Casino Royale but I've read a few of the ones by other authors.

 

[Ja sa bong]

Yep. James Bond was created by British thriller writer Ian Fleming in the 1950s. He even co-wrote on of the first screen treatments for a Bond movie, though the project fell apart and the treatment became the novel Thunderball instead, which then became the basis for two movies (Thunderball and Never Say Never Again). His estate has commissioned novels from several other writers since, including one from Kingsley Amis, a large number (forget how many) from John Gardner, a smaller number from Raymond Benson, and then some standalones from a variety of authors since the Benson series ended.

List of James Bond novels and short stories - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I was for a time. Saw my first Bond movie as a kid, maybe 11 or 12, and then read the Fleming and Gardner novels throughout high school and university. I was often in the theater for new 007 films on opening night and caught up with the older ones via television and home video. I kind of fell off the bandwagon during the Brosnan years and have not gone back. I like what I've heard about the Craig movies so have good intentions about getting caught up, maybe before they finally announce the next Bond.

In terms of the books, I've read all of Fleming, most of Gardner, and some Benson. Have not tried any of the post-Benson standalones, though some are by fairly reputable crime and thriller authors so could be good.

I think Fleming's are the best, and there's often significant differences from the movies. For instance, I think the novel Moonraker is far superior to the film version (better female lead, more grounded plot involving nuclear terrorism rather than space travel and bioweapons).

Though Gardner was arguably a better writer, his stories tended too much towards being screen treatments. I remember one even having an obvious pre-title scene in the first chapter where Bond teams up with some air marshals to stop a plane hijacking. Ironically, the neverending animosity between the estate and the movie people ultimately kept his novels (or any of the ones post-Fleming) from being filmed.

Wow, I must have not been paying attention. Thank you very much for this. I'll be looking forward to the first book copy I'll grab and read.

 

[Nebulous]

Is there any new bond movies or books coming out any time soon?

 

[Mendalla]

Is there any new bond movies or books coming out any time soon?

On the book front, Charlie Higson, who wrote a well-received series of YA Young Bond novels wrote a novella this year that had Bond preventing an attack on Charles III's coronation. And Anthony Horowitz has written a series of novels set in the era of Fleming's originals (so the 50s and 60s) and generally as prequels or sequels to various originals. The latest of those was in 2022. Not sure if more are planned. All per that wiki article I linked.

As for movies, we're still waiting for Eon to recast Bond now that Craig is finished so not much news on the movie front. They seem to working on something and that's about it.