I enjoy the James Bond films but had never read any of the original Ian Fleming novels, so I polished off Casino Royale in a few days and have now moved on to Live and Let Die. Fast, interesting reads, and surprisingly when I picture Bond in my head as I read these, I'm seeing George Lazenby! He just seems closer to how Fleming is describing 007 than Connery, Moore, Dalton, Brosnan, or Craig somehow I've heard some hardcore Bond fans say that through the years, though, so maybe that's altering my perception; also, On Her Majesty's Secret Service is traditionally my favorite of the movies, so there's that.
I will say this, though: even for books written in the 50s, Fleming had some, um, interesting ideas on gender and race. Yeesh. Hard to read that through 2013 sensibilities sometimes.
I enjoy the James Bond films but had never read any of the original Ian Fleming novels, so I polished off Casino Royale in a few days and have now moved on to Live and Let Die. Fast, interesting reads, and surprisingly when I picture Bond in my head as I read these, I'm seeing George Lazenby! He just seems closer to how Fleming is describing 007 than Connery, Moore, Dalton, Brosnan, or Craig somehow I've heard some hardcore Bond fans say that through the years, though, so maybe that's altering my perception; also, On Her Majesty's Secret Service is traditionally my favorite of the movies, so there's that.
I will say this, though: even for books written in the 50s, Fleming had some, um, interesting ideas on gender and race. Yeesh. Hard to read that through 2013 sensibilities sometimes.
From Wikipaedia (where else?)
Facially, Bond resembles the composer, singer and actor Hoagy Carmichael. In Casino Royale Vesper Lynd remarks, "Bond reminds me rather of Hoagy Carmichael, but there is something cold and ruthless." Likewise, in Moonraker, Special Branch Officer Gala Brand thinks that Bond is "certainly good-looking . . . Rather like Hoagy Carmichael in a way. That black hair falling down over the right eyebrow. Much the same bones. But there was something a bit cruel in the mouth, and the eyes were cold." Others, such as journalist Ben Macintyre, identify aspects of Fleming's own looks in his description of Bond. General references in the novels describe Bond as having "dark, rather cruel good looks".
In the novels (notably From Russia, with Love), Bond's physical description has generally been consistent: slim build; a three-inch long, thin vertical scar on his right cheek; blue-grey eyes; a "cruel" mouth; short, black hair, a comma of which falls on his forehead. Physically he is described as 183 centimetres (6 feet) in height and 76 kilograms (167 lb) in weight. After Casino Royale, Bond also had the faint scar of the Russian cyrillic letter "Ш" (SH) (for Shpion: "Spy") on the back of one of his hands, carved by a SMERSH agent.
I enjoy the James Bond films but had never read any of the original Ian Fleming novels, so I polished off Casino Royale in a few days and have now moved on to Live and Let Die. Fast, interesting reads, and surprisingly when I picture Bond in my head as I read these, I'm seeing George Lazenby! He just seems closer to how Fleming is describing 007 than Connery, Moore, Dalton, Brosnan, or Craig somehow I've heard some hardcore Bond fans say that through the years, though, so maybe that's altering my perception; also, On Her Majesty's Secret Service is traditionally my favorite of the movies, so there's that.
I will say this, though: even for books written in the 50s, Fleming had some, um, interesting ideas on gender and race. Yeesh. Hard to read that through 2013 sensibilities sometimes.
From Wikipaedia (where else?)
Facially, Bond resembles the composer, singer and actor Hoagy Carmichael. In Casino Royale Vesper Lynd remarks, "Bond reminds me rather of Hoagy Carmichael, but there is something cold and ruthless." Likewise, in Moonraker, Special Branch Officer Gala Brand thinks that Bond is "certainly good-looking . . . Rather like Hoagy Carmichael in a way. That black hair falling down over the right eyebrow. Much the same bones. But there was something a bit cruel in the mouth, and the eyes were cold." Others, such as journalist Ben Macintyre, identify aspects of Fleming's own looks in his description of Bond. General references in the novels describe Bond as having "dark, rather cruel good looks".
In the novels (notably From Russia, with Love), Bond's physical description has generally been consistent: slim build; a three-inch long, thin vertical scar on his right cheek; blue-grey eyes; a "cruel" mouth; short, black hair, a comma of which falls on his forehead. Physically he is described as 183 centimetres (6 feet) in height and 76 kilograms (167 lb) in weight. After Casino Royale, Bond also had the faint scar of the Russian cyrillic letter "Ш" (SH) (for Shpion: "Spy") on the back of one of his hands, carved by a SMERSH agent.
David Niven was Ian Fleming's first choice to play Bond in Dr. No... He later would in the comedy version of "Casino Royale"
I enjoy the James Bond films but had never read any of the original Ian Fleming novels, so I polished off Casino Royale in a few days and have now moved on to Live and Let Die. Fast, interesting reads, and surprisingly when I picture Bond in my head as I read these, I'm seeing George Lazenby! He just seems closer to how Fleming is describing 007 than Connery, Moore, Dalton, Brosnan, or Craig somehow I've heard some hardcore Bond fans say that through the years, though, so maybe that's altering my perception; also, On Her Majesty's Secret Service is traditionally my favorite of the movies, so there's that.
I will say this, though: even for books written in the 50s, Fleming had some, um, interesting ideas on gender and race. Yeesh. Hard to read that through 2013 sensibilities sometimes.
It won't get any better either. For obvious reasons, Live And Let Die is probably the most racist by today's standards, but I think every book has at least something to offend someone today. I read them all a couple years ago, and while they're fun, fast reads, Fleming's British colonial view of the world often intrudes on the enjoyment.
And things go far past the point of being able to excuse them due to the era they were written in. I've encountered plenty of older media, so I'm no longer shocked when I see a black butler's eyes pop out when he sees a ghost, or a white man with a wig and buck teeth playing an Asian, but I am shocked when Fleming devotes lines to explaining how a strain of white blood in an ethnic character enables them to be clever enough to pose a threat to James Bond, or when Bond recoils in revulsion when a black employee of a spa dares to touch his lily white skin with his bare hands, or when Bond explains that one shouldn't get involved with black women because they don't know how to practice birth control. And those are just moments dealing with blacks. I haven't even touched on his attitudes toward women, Asians, people with birth defects, homosexuals,etc.
I suppose I'm thankful he created such an entertaining character, but Fleming himself comes across as someone filled with loathing for much of the world.
Maybe this is off topic, but any good non-fiction suggestions? I like popular science/sociology, history, biographies of creatives, some memoirs.
Art: A New History by Paul Johnson. It's been out for a while but it offers a fresh take on the subject.
The Life and Death of Peter Sellers by Robert Lewis. A rambling yet compelling biography of the brilliant but deeply troubled comedian. Honestly, the man was off his bloody head.
A Cure for Gravity by Joe Jackson. A memoir detailing the early years of the musician before his carreer took off.
In the Arena by Charlton Heston. Heston is such an iconic actor that I found it interesting reading about the other less known aspects of his carreer. The man led an eventful life.
Cultural Amnesia by Clive James. This is a hefty one. A hundred essays on historical figures the author has deemed worthy of his attention, some well known, most quite obscure. I've found this book to be rough going at times, but James has such a compelling writing style I keep coming back.
From Earth's End:The best of New Zealand Comics by Adrian Kinnaird. A wonderful overview of my home countries comic history. Some wonderful storytelling and a generous sampling of the varied talent out there today.
FYI. Any Central IL Brad Meltzer fans. He will be Signing at Anderson Books in Naperville, IL Friday 01/17/2013 at 7:00pm. I'll be heading up straight after work that day weather permitting.
FYI. Any Central IL Brad Meltzer fans. He will be Signing at Anderson Books in Naperville, IL Friday 01/17/2013 at 7:00pm. I'll be heading up straight after work that day weather permitting.
That seems like a very cool store - bought my daughter one of their Keep Calm and Read On tees for her birthday.
I haven't been to Anderson Books since I moved to Louisiana 13 years ago. It's nice to hear they're still in business. With all the big chain bookstore competition in the area, I'd assumed they'd gone under. There was an awesome used bookstore nearby in a basement level space that I know closed its doors a few years ago.
FYI. Any Central IL Brad Meltzer fans. He will be Signing at Anderson Books in Naperville, IL Friday 01/17/2013 at 7:00pm. I'll be heading up straight after work that day weather permitting.
That seems like a very cool store - bought my daughter one of their Keep Calm and Read On tees for her birthday.
Merrie and I met Weird Al there early last year and the shop appeared to be booming. They have a lot of signings. http://www.andersonsbookshop.com/
FYI. Any Central IL Brad Meltzer fans. He will be Signing at Anderson Books in Naperville, IL Friday 01/17/2013 at 7:00pm. I'll be heading up straight after work that day weather permitting.
That seems like a very cool store - bought my daughter one of their Keep Calm and Read On tees for her birthday.
Merrie and I met Weird Al there early last year and the shop appeared to be booming. They have a lot of signings. http://www.andersonsbookshop.com/
Lots of book signings was their hook back in the '90s. I worked at a Borders a few miles away back then, and I remember our events coordinator used to pull her hair out over the major names they would get, while we were constantly ending up with no-names or pseudo-celebrities. Anderson's would get someone like, say, Anne Rice, while we'd have some local guy signing his book of dating tips, or Richard Marx promoting an album long past the point anyone cared about such a thing. We even had Fabio one time. Granted, Fabio has some quirky appeal, but if you're an avid book reader, which store are you going to take seriously? The one with Fabio, or the one hosting David Sedaris?
Facially, Bond resembles the composer, singer and actor Hoagy Carmichael. In Casino Royale Vesper Lynd remarks, "Bond reminds me rather of Hoagy Carmichael, but there is something cold and ruthless." Likewise, in Moonraker, Special Branch Officer Gala Brand thinks that Bond is "certainly good-looking . . . Rather like Hoagy Carmichael in a way. That black hair falling down over the right eyebrow. Much the same bones. But there was something a bit cruel in the mouth, and the eyes were cold."
I remember reading that and thinking it was an odd comparison, but then again the only connection I have to Hoagy Carmichael at all was his appearance on The Flintstones (IIRC, as just about the only guest star not to have his name Flintstone-ized, no less!).
I'd been rereading Jack Chalker's Well World/Nathan Brazil books, and discovered there were a few more after the ones I was familiar with... so I'm reading those now as well.
Maybe this is off topic, but any good non-fiction suggestions? I like popular science/sociology, history, biographies of creatives, some memoirs.
The Life and Death of Peter Sellers by Robert Lewis. A rambling yet compelling biography of the brilliant but deeply troubled comedian. Honestly, the man was off his bloody head.
I've been meaning to read that for years. I thumbed through it a couple times, and even just skimming through it turned up plenty of disturbing things. I believe that was the book that served as the basis for the film that aired a few years ago on... HBO? Showtime? Not sure, but it was a decent film as I recall, and Geoffrey Rush managed to do the impossible and pull off playing a guy who spent his life being everything but himself.
I'd been rereading Jack Chalker's Well World/Nathan Brazil books, and discovered there were a few more after the ones I was familiar with... so I'm reading those now as well.
Haven't read his Well World books, but have read Chalker's Flux and Anchor books and enjoyed them quite a bit for '80's mindless popcorn action flick sort of fiction with some odd and explicit twists in the fan service.
Maybe this is off topic, but any good non-fiction suggestions? I like popular science/sociology, history, biographies of creatives, some memoirs.
The Life and Death of Peter Sellers by Robert Lewis. A rambling yet compelling biography of the brilliant but deeply troubled comedian. Honestly, the man was off his bloody head.
I've been meaning to read that for years. I thumbed through it a couple times, and even just skimming through it turned up plenty of disturbing things. I believe that was the book that served as the basis for the film that aired a few years ago on... HBO? Showtime? Not sure, but it was a decent film as I recall, and Geoffrey Rush managed to do the impossible and pull off playing a guy who spent his life being everything but himself.
Yes, the film is decent, but tends to white wash Sellers somewhat. In the book he basically comes across as a complete monster.
I wrapped up the last of the Dread Empire books over the weekend. Path to Coldness of Heart was, surprisingly, not as bleak a story as I anticipated from the title. Overall, I found it to be a satisfactory place for Cook to stop if, as the trilogy name the Last Chronicles of the Dread Empire is actually true but it's also easy to see that the series could be further expanded if he so chose.
At the end of the day, though, I've gone through three or four compendiums of his older books, short stories and novellas from the series and the three books forming the new trilogy and I'm not entirely certain that the immediate status quo was dramatically altered. I can see that there were changes, but I'm not certain that the changes were significant enough to improve the world state.
I'm going to read a couple of mindless action books while I chew on this for a while.
Next Up: John Ringo's Into the Looking Glass. For the most part, I've enjoyed what I've read from Ringo - his March... books with David Webber were fun and the Legacy of the Adenata series was mostly great. At least one of the Legacy related books, Yellow Eyes, took a bit too much of a political diatribe for it to be truly enjoyable, but I've mostly laying that at the feet of his co-writer, Tom Kratman. About 40 pages into Looking Glass so far, and I'm not sure that that was an entirely correct assignment of blame.
Comments
I will say this, though: even for books written in the 50s, Fleming had some, um, interesting ideas on gender and race. Yeesh. Hard to read that through 2013 sensibilities sometimes.
Facially, Bond resembles the composer, singer and actor Hoagy Carmichael. In Casino Royale Vesper Lynd remarks, "Bond reminds me rather of Hoagy Carmichael, but there is something cold and ruthless." Likewise, in Moonraker, Special Branch Officer Gala Brand thinks that Bond is "certainly good-looking . . . Rather like Hoagy Carmichael in a way. That black hair falling down over the right eyebrow. Much the same bones. But there was something a bit cruel in the mouth, and the eyes were cold." Others, such as journalist Ben Macintyre, identify aspects of Fleming's own looks in his description of Bond. General references in the novels describe Bond as having "dark, rather cruel good looks".
In the novels (notably From Russia, with Love), Bond's physical description has generally been consistent: slim build; a three-inch long, thin vertical scar on his right cheek; blue-grey eyes; a "cruel" mouth; short, black hair, a comma of which falls on his forehead. Physically he is described as 183 centimetres (6 feet) in height and 76 kilograms (167 lb) in weight. After Casino Royale, Bond also had the faint scar of the Russian cyrillic letter "Ш" (SH) (for Shpion: "Spy") on the back of one of his hands, carved by a SMERSH agent.
And things go far past the point of being able to excuse them due to the era they were written in. I've encountered plenty of older media, so I'm no longer shocked when I see a black butler's eyes pop out when he sees a ghost, or a white man with a wig and buck teeth playing an Asian, but I am shocked when Fleming devotes lines to explaining how a strain of white blood in an ethnic character enables them to be clever enough to pose a threat to James Bond, or when Bond recoils in revulsion when a black employee of a spa dares to touch his lily white skin with his bare hands, or when Bond explains that one shouldn't get involved with black women because they don't know how to practice birth control. And those are just moments dealing with blacks. I haven't even touched on his attitudes toward women, Asians, people with birth defects, homosexuals,etc.
I suppose I'm thankful he created such an entertaining character, but Fleming himself comes across as someone filled with loathing for much of the world.
The Life and Death of Peter Sellers by Robert Lewis. A rambling yet compelling biography of the brilliant but deeply troubled comedian. Honestly, the man was off his bloody head.
A Cure for Gravity by Joe Jackson. A memoir detailing the early years of the musician before his carreer took off.
In the Arena by Charlton Heston. Heston is such an iconic actor that I found it interesting reading about the other less known aspects of his carreer. The man led an eventful life.
Cultural Amnesia by Clive James. This is a hefty one. A hundred essays on historical figures the author has deemed worthy of his attention, some well known, most quite obscure. I've found this book to be rough going at times, but James has such a compelling writing style I keep coming back.
From Earth's End:The best of New Zealand Comics by Adrian Kinnaird. A wonderful overview of my home countries comic history. Some wonderful storytelling and a generous sampling of the varied talent out there today.
My first Lansdale novel.
Pretty good so far.
Bubba Ho-Tep 8->
At the end of the day, though, I've gone through three or four compendiums of his older books, short stories and novellas from the series and the three books forming the new trilogy and I'm not entirely certain that the immediate status quo was dramatically altered. I can see that there were changes, but I'm not certain that the changes were significant enough to improve the world state.
I'm going to read a couple of mindless action books while I chew on this for a while.
Next Up: John Ringo's Into the Looking Glass. For the most part, I've enjoyed what I've read from Ringo - his March... books with David Webber were fun and the Legacy of the Adenata series was mostly great. At least one of the Legacy related books, Yellow Eyes, took a bit too much of a political diatribe for it to be truly enjoyable, but I've mostly laying that at the feet of his co-writer, Tom Kratman. About 40 pages into Looking Glass so far, and I'm not sure that that was an entirely correct assignment of blame.