Even the first 2 had huge delays if I remember right. Think they bit off slightly more than they could chew with that one.
I would’ve liked all the Higson Young Bonds adapted into graphic novel form - and that was just five books. Kev Walker got to illustrate SilverFin, but that was it.
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Randomly flicked through OHMSS today, the chapter Fancy Cover. Found this passage:
Security precautions would include keeping Station Z completely in the dark about Bond’s mission to Switzerland and a closure of the ‘Bedlam’ file at Headquarters which would be announced in the routine ‘Orders of the Day’. Instead, a new code-word for the operation, known only to an essential handful of senior officers, would be issued. It would be ‘CORONA’.
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There you go. Solid proof that the current pandemic is nothing but a Bond villain-style global conspiracy. You’ve cracked it wide open!
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I gave Pearson’s Authorised Biography of James Bond another look after many years. I don’t consider it canon. It’s a standalone, alternative universe concept but not something to shun. Especially given Pearson’s Bond is essentially Bond as we know him to be: a brooding loner.
I feel good after reading it because I find it to be a celebration of Ian Fleming as much as James Bond, possibly more. It’s akin to a set of individual tales (some of which would work nicely in live action) told to make a whole. But it’s really well done, with a similar readable flow that Horowitz has.
The sequences with Bond between the interview sessions tie everything together and lead to be of my favourite final statements to a Bond book - boarding a plane, returning to active duty. Leaving Honeychile alone, who says “the bastard’s gone.”
Recommended.
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My ranking of Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels goes as follows:
- From Russia, With Love
- Thunderball
- On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
- Doctor No
- Live And Let Die
- Diamonds Are Forever
- Goldfinger
- Moonraker
- Casino Royale
- You Only Live Twice
- The Man With The Golden Gun
- The Spy Who Loved Me
- For Your Eyes Only
- Octopussy and The Living Daylights
My ranking of Ian Fleming’s James Bond short stories:
- For Your Eyes Only
- The Living Daylights
- Risico
- From A View To A Kill
- The Property Of A Lady
- Octopussy
- The Hildebrand Rarity
- Quantum Of Solace
- 007 In New York
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Somehow I was completely unaware of the existence of these editions. Just ordered Casino Royale, Dr. No and Thunderball. They look gorgeous.
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A Pan paperback edition has a permanent spot on my nightstand. It’s always good for a bed time story
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All but the short stories are now available.
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As much as I love the penguin editions from 2002-2006, I might just update to the Folio Society editions.
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Another lovely cover. Just the short stories to go. It’s just a matter of time. It’s going to take something seriously special to beat this collection.
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I am so so tempted to start collecting these but due to their cost will have to spread it out over time. Does anyone have an idea of how long Folio typically keeps items in print? I would hate to begin only for some titles to go out of print.
I think it’s like any book, the ones with an audience keep being reprinted, those that don’t fade away.
The Bond novels have sold well enough for Folio that they’ve now got all the full novels printed, I think they’ll be safe.
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They are the set to have and the artwork by Faye Dalton are really epic. I’ve heard rumors of there eventually will be a book of just the art. Looking forward to the final two of the short stories.
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That’s my hangout up with them. £70 equates to almost $100 and in the US we also have pretty high shipping costs. So for us to get the full set, it’s well over $1000.
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They are only $69.95 for us in the US. With shipping the set would be $870…
It was £70 last I checked. Maybe I was on the wrong website. Still though, $870 is steep for a 12 book set.
Yes it’s £70 at the UK store but why buy from there? Folio has a USA store and they have them for $69.95 with shipping that’s cheaper because it doesn’t have to go overseas.
Here’s a direct link…
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Pulled the trigger and ordered Casino Royale. Very excited!
I wonder if they’ll do any continuations after the Flemings are complete. Unlikely we’ll ever see these specifically but I’d love to see artwork in this style for License Renewed and Icebreaker.
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