Ian Flemings Worst Bond Book?
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Posts: 2,083MI6 Agent
Which do you consider to be the worst James Bond Book - IFs work not the continuation novels - & why?
Comments
I don't know. Diamonds are Forever is certainly one of his most uneven titles, perhaps even weakest but...
...for my money, it's The Spy Who Loved Me as it seems to belong to an entirely different canon with only the cameo of Bond at the end to tie it to the rest of the series...
Fleming. Beautifully written but not a Bond adventure until the last
Third of the book.
Seconded
-Mr Arlington Beech
The Man With The Golden Gun and Diamonds Are Forever are the two that I regard as weaker Bond novels.
That said, it's too easy to pick TSWLM. It's an uncomfortable book for me to read, as I find the sexual journey of Ms. Michel rather tawdry. I have no objection to the lack of Bond presence, as the last part of the book is quite good.
On some reflection, while I like most of DAF, I would agree that the main villain is a bit lame. I do like a "bumbling" oo7, it's a nice contrast to the sometimes silly "super" spy of the cinema.
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
You should take a quick look at this Thread
http://www.ajb007.co.uk/topic/45180/introduction-how-to-use-the-forum/
I love them all, so picking a "worst" is actually quite a difficult task. But I agree with most that Diamonds Are Forever and The Man With the Golden Gun are among the weakest.
I believe Fleming may have been running out of steam by this point. I don't know how many more Bond books he had left in him. While I don't think, had he lived, TMWTGG would have been his last I feel the would have only done a couple more before calling time.
I didn't know that. Interesting that he & I came to the same conclusion! Can you direct me to anywhere where he said this so I can read what he had to say 'from his own mouth' as it were?
Indeed, and it is mentioned in Andrew Lycett's Fleming biography.
so many think of DAF as a weak Bond Book, from memory ( although mine
is going, somewhat) I seem to remember it as a fast paced thriller with some
great scenes. Yes I agree the villains are weak, but I thought it had a good story.
It's one of Fleming's most literary novels for sure. -{
I'm listening via unabridged audiobook as opposed to reading.