That’s even less interesting or “special” than I thought it would be.
I just don’t understand it. I love Ian Fleming’s works as much as any James Bond fan–and even have multiple editions of the series–but exactly how many various editions does IFP expect people to own? It seems like every other year we’ve got a new Fleming collection (at various pricing) produced for fans to buy. There’s only so much cash, much less shelf space, for people to have.
On the other hand, IFP hasn’t done much, if anything, for the continuation novels which, I suppose, is somewhat understandable. But what is more puzzling is not hiring a new continuation author for more JAMES BOND novels starring everyone’s favorite secret agent James Bond 007. Granted, since 2002, we’ve had nine Young Bond novels and one short story (which, admittedly, were very entertaining and well done) and three The Moneypenny Diaries novels and two short stories. But in that same time frame, we’ve only gotten six adult Bond adventures and one novelette. So that’s SEVEN adult Bond stories in the last 17 years! That’s basically half the Young Bond/Moneypenny Diaries output! Not exactly what I’d call, pumping them out–or giving the people what they want.
A decent article about the recent Bond book publishing and re-publishing. They don’t use many of the continuation novels, is my only criticism of the article.
Also, do we think we’ll get an announcement of some kind for James Bond Day (October 5)?
That’s evidently a misunderstanding: IFP will give away 1 (one) copy of Dr No, true - but they’ll do it page by page. So, according to the current paperback edition, there will actually be 304 lucky people with one page of Dr No each.
This is where we are as a fanbase. Another James Bond Day comes and goes without incident. The fandom is on life support, and will apparently only be revived once a new film is made. Which could be years. Other fandoms sprinkle new worthwhile content out during the gaps, and our gaps have been getting longer.
We hear the films we’ve been watching for years are now available on streaming and are meant to be overjoyed. We hear one copy of Dr No (probably the edited version) is being given away and are meant to be thankful.
Yeah, I liked the list but they should have made it a continuation novels list. Its weird that there’s only one Fleming novel in the bunch and its Moonraker. Yes, Moonraker deserves to be on any such list, but so does From Russia with Love, Thunderball, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and You Only Live Twice (perhaps even more so).
A Spy Like Me’s inclusion on the list does make me even more hyped to read it though. With it being (apparently) the first Bond continuation novel to win a major award, it really does seem like there’s something great there.
I think the “better than the movies” thing is hyperbole…sort of a way of saying “These books are really good”. Remember, to casual audiences/readers, Bond is mostly a film character.
