Literary 007 Reviewed: Ian Fleming's 'Thunderball'

With 2008 marking the centenary of Ian Fleming, the newest CommanderBond.net review series, Literary 007 Reviewed, now continues with the author’s ninth James Bond adventure, 1961’s Thunderball.

As several CBn Forum members are already aware, every two months a James Bond adventure is chosen for members of the Blades Library Book Club to read. Proceeding in chronological order, the club first read Fleming’s Thunderball back in June 2005.

What follows are selected reviews from the Book Club Forum members. For further details on the club or to post your own review of Thunderball, simply click here.

Literary 007 Reviewed:
Thunderball

Thunderball reviewed by… Bon-San

Prior to this latest re-reading, the notion was imbedded in my mind that Thunderball was a bit blander than most other Fleming Bond books. Standing out in my memory were the well-crafted character of Domino, some fun Felix/Bond shenanigans, and the name of the CIA sub, “Manta”. These were the only points of nostalgia from my perspective, and that did not bode well.

As I began this latest jaunt through the book, however, I found myself rather captivated by the goings-on at Shrublands and Spectre HQ in Paris. I remained quite intrigued as Our Man caught the TransAtlantic to Nassau, and I revelled in humid island air as Bond began poking around the Bahamas. I took great delight in Felix’s welcome appearance, as the boy banter was up to high standards. As memory had served, I found the character of Domino to be nicely fleshed out (moreso, of course, than in the film), and despite Fleming’s description, I could not help but see her as Claudine Auger.

All was well and good up to the point at which Bond tells Domino about Largo’s involvement in the nefarious plot, including the murder of her brother. But from there, things went tepid. I’m not quite sure why, but the Final Act did not deliver a satisfying crescendo to the proceedings. It seems to me that, based on the story componenents and Fleming’s execution thereof, it should have delivered. Alas, it just didn’t seem to have that punch.

I absolutely adore just about any Fleming I’ve ever read, so there won’t be any 1 star ratings coming from me. But despite the excellence for 2/3 of it’s length, Thunderball sinks to the lower depths of the Fleming canon.

Two and one-half out of four stars on the Bon-san scale.

Thunderball reviewed by… Byron

Great book–4 stars. In my top 5 Flemings so far having read up to this.

A large part of the allure for me was the exotic Bahamas setting and the scuba diving sequences (especially when Bond first checked out the Disco).

Largo was a very well written villain as was Blofeld to a lesser extent (I suppose as to not give away to much of his mystique).

I still prefer the film version of Domino. Felix was okay, but do all Southerners speak like that? Somehow could not see him fighting alongside Bond.

But overall a solid and entertaining book.

Thunderball reviewed by… Turn

Thunderball kind of disappoints me since I love the film version so much. There just seems to be something missing or not there. I had the book on tape from a local library two years ago and that kind of confirmed it for me whereas I enjoyed the follow-up novels in the SPECTRE trilogy much better.

As others have said, the whole chasing Largo’s men in the sub is anti-climactic. It’s kind of like the way Never Say Never Again wrapped up–you want something big and overwhelming, but you get something kind of kind of small-scale and unsatisfying.

The part I really like about Thunderball is Fleming’s descriptions of Bond’s diving exploits, discovering the plane with its corpses while surrounded by sharks is an unsettling passage but completely atmospheric. The same with Bond’s fight with the SPECTRE frogman below the Disco. The description of how he is torn apart is sickening. The description of the burns Lippe sustains after being locked in the heat cabinet at Shrublands is also pretty graphic to the point you kind of cringe.

Thunderball reviewed by… Tuxedo wearing Bond

An excellent read in my opinion. The beginning at Shrublands is really interesting as Bond is wondering if he’s losing his rather cruel character. Then he finds out this isn’t so with my favourite line of the book: “And if you catch fire you can sue”.

Blofeld’s profile I found a little hard to follow, but I couldn’t stop reading it, as I never can when Fleming describes a background of one of his characters.

The thing I like about this book is that it has it all; M, Moneypenny, May, Felix, strong characters, Bond’s car, the Walther PPK. The list goes on…

One of the best highlights of the book must be the chemin de fer game between Bond and Largo. That was the scene I read through to the end without glancing off the page.

The ending wasn’t a huge letdown, but I did want a little more out of it. As people have said, it did go rather tepid. But as I said, it wasn’t a huge letdown. So to pull the rating out of my tuxedo, I’d give this… 4 stars.

Thunderball reviewed by… Major Bloodnok

I’m in need of a reread to be sure, but I remember being disappointed with the ending as well, particularly the news that Blofeld escaped. It seemed to be handled in such a blase’ way. “Oh, and by the way… that guy wasn’t there when we arrived.” My quote, not Fleming’s.

I think after a series of less character strong books (maybe it was just Goldfinger) I liked the depth Fleming gave these characters. That was a notch above the others I’d read at that time.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. I’ve since updated my copy, but I have fond memories of the ancient Signet paperback a fiend gave me in 1980. I even remember the smell. When I think of Thunderball I think of the book before the movie.

Maybe I’ll go read it again now.

Thunderball reviewed by… B007GLE

I first read this book back in 1988 and was rather blase about it. However having jsut read it and having not seen the film in a while I really enjoyed it. It may not reach the heigts of Live and Let Die, Moonraker, From Russia with Love or Dr. No but it is a huge improvement over Goldfinger (which of course is a great film but not a great book).

I loved Blofeld, Largo, Domino (despite her cigarrette packet soliloquy) and of course Felix. All of the scuba action is brilliant: under the Disco and even the final battle. I did not find it anti-climatic and would love a Bond film that ends with Bond leading a team into battle like this. Will we ever see that again?

Keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page for further reviews of Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 adventures in the upcoming months.

Literary 007 Reviewed: Ian Fleming's 'For Your Eyes Only'

With 2008 marking the centenary of Ian Fleming, the newest CommanderBond.net review series, Literary 007 Reviewed, now continues with the author’s eighth James Bond adventure, 1960’s For Your Eyes Only.

The first of Fleming’s two 007 short story collections, For Your Eyes Only collects together the title story in addition to “From a View to a Kill”, “Quantum of Solace”, “Risico” and “The Hildebrand Rarity”.

As several CBn Forum members are already aware, every two months a James Bond adventure is chosen for members of the Blades Library Book Club to read. Proceeding in chronological order, the club first read Fleming’s For Your Eyes Only back in April 2005.

What follows are selected reviews from the Book Club Forum members. For further details on the club or to post your own review of For Your Eyes Only, simply click here.

Literary 007 Reviewed:
For Your Eyes Only

For Your Eyes Only reviewed by… Bon-San

Just finished re-reading “From A View To A Kill”. I remembered this as being one of my least favorite Fleming shorts, but I found it quite enjoyable this time around. Notable: Bond says he hates Paris. Pretty much Fleming’s feelings bleeding into the story, I’d gather. I did like the whole bit concerning Bond’s rather elaborate plans for a successful night out with a pretty lady in the City of Lights. Especially his willingness to ply her with 50,000 francs up front, to put the whole money issue behind them, so they can proceed directly to enjoying themselves. Quite amusing. I really like these glimpses of the not-on-the-job Bond.

Once Bond gets involved in the espionage plot, I continued to find it an interesting read. It was a fairly routine affair, but anything with gypsies in it, always strikes my fancy. This story could make a decent sequence in a film someday.

“For Your Eyes Only” seemed a tad less engaging than I had remembered it. The bit in M’s office was excellent. Love to see the old man squirm! And I enjoyed Bond’s entree to North America via the Canadian office. One thing to note: 3/4 whiskey and 1/4 coffee is a mean mixture! I found the assault on the house curiously unsatisfying. And the denoument even moreso. Perhaps I’ve read this one too many times. Perhaps it’s the fact that Ms. Havelock seems underdrawn. Perhaps I was wanting some s-e-x before the fadeout.

In any event it’s a good yarn, but I now rate it lower than “From A View To A Kill”.

“Quantum of Solace” is a story I very much enjoyed the first time I read it, and continue to enjoy with each subsequent reading. It’s not a Bond story at all, obviously. And in fact, to me, it strongly evokes Agatha Christie doing Ms. Marple. It had that very English air full of class, cruelty, angst and irony. Top stuff in my opinion. I did find myself wishing the good fortune hadn’t befallen the traitorious femme fatale. Don’t know what that says about me.

For “Risico”, I had less than glorious memories of this story. And as the events in the restaurant in Italy unfolded, I was feeling only marginally engaged. For some reason, this bit of Fleming (i.e. the first section of this story) just doesn’t grab me. As things move out to the beach, however, my interest picked up. I conjured up decadent visions of Lisl Baum sunbathing, and the chase along the peninsula is gripping. From the moment Bond awakens on Colombo’s boat, I was caught up. I love the Colombo character. He’s just as charismatic in the book as Topol made him on film (or was I just imagining him as Topol?). The assault on Kristatos’ wharehouse is a nice action set-piece. Bond getting Lisl’s services as a reward is quite a nice touch.

Overall, I enjoyed it more than I had remembered from the last reading. It’s a bit unengaging, esp. in the early going. But the pace keeps the pages turning. I currently rate it the lowest of any story in this collection.

“The Hildebrand Rarity”: The reputation of this story seems to grow with each passing year, and everyone apparently likes it. Personally, the fact that it’s set in The Seychelles is a big plus right out of the gate. I’ve long dreamed of visiting this exotic and remote island group. Interestingly though, Fleming (via his characters) speaks unflatteringly of these islands.

That fact notwithstanding, one of the overriding strengths of this story is the excellent sense of atmosphere created by Fleming. While reading, I felt immersed in remote tropical ambience. I could palpably sense the warm, humid, breezy air; the soothing waters of the Indian Ocean; and the overpowering blast of air-conditioning when entering the boat’s chambers. Too, the kaleidescope of colour afforded by the underwater ventures fairly drips off the page. Every time I read this story, I recommit to taking the family there someday.

Fleming does a nice job with the characters as well. Milton Krest is indeed a nasty man, and like CBn Forum member Genrewriter, I can’t help picturing Anthony Zerbe as Krest (I can’t remember how I pictured Krest prior to the release of Licence To Kill). His comeuppance was anxiously expected, and the bizarre nature of his death/murder was classic. My only tick is for the resurfacing of Fleming’s approach to American vernacular. He’s seen too many Film Noir, in my opinion.

The story is engaging enough to propel the reader onward. But the true glory of this 5-star effort is in the characters, and the atmosphere.

Overall, I give the collection 4 stars (It rates higher than some of the novels in my opinion).

For Your Eyes Only reviewed by… Genrewriter

“The Hildebrand Rarity” is one of my favorite short stories in general and my favorite story from this collection. It’s a great bit of storytelling that gives us a nice insight into what Bond is willing to let slide and what he won’t stand for. Krest is a truly loathesome creation and oddly enough I could see Anthony Zerbe playing this version of Krest even better than the Licence To Kill version.

For Your Eyes Only reviewed by… DLibrasnow

My favorite short story from the collection is the title story, but I also really like “Quantum of Solace”. Really its a great collection and I like all of them–I always thought “Risico” would make a good movie title but apparently [producer Michael G.] Wilson says nobody knows what it means.

For Your Eyes Only reviewed by… Bond111

A review of the opening three stories in this collection:

“From a View to a Kill”:

For starters, the beginning wasn’t as engrossing as I wanted it to be for a Bond book, but it was well written (as always). Once Bond came on the scene, though, and started investigating, it became much more interesting. The Bond girl for this story (Mary Ann Russell) was a bit bland, but hell it’s a short story.

The investigation tends to drag on a bit, but soon gets the ‘breath of life’ once Bond, in camouflage, spots the villain coming out of his ingeniously disguised lair. It’s all uphill from there, including a great motorcycle chase and Bond’s very-near-demise.

In all, it’s certainly not the best Bond tale, but definitely not the worst. I think it does well for itself considering it’s a short story. And of course Fleming’s descriptive writing is superb, to say the least.

I hereby give “From a View to a Kill” a rating of: 3 out of 5.

“For Your Eyes Only”:

Once again the first few pages were a bit irrelevant and slightly boring, in my opinion. But the dramatic murders soon to follow more than make up for it.

Then we get a great “M” scene. Very personal. But soon after that, when Bond travels to Virginia, the story tends to slow a bit, but not too much. Bond meeting Judy Havelock was great. I liked her rebelious attitude toward him. The end shootout was very suspenseful and gripping.

The locales in this book, Virginia/Canada/Jamaica, are pretty good and well described (especially Virginia). The henchman (Gonzales) was particularily menacing, but the villain (von Hammerstein) is terribly underdeveloped; he is really only mentioned by M. But I suppose it would have to be a full-size novel to have all of that. The basic plot, and even many of the scenes, in this story are surprisingly close to the movie.

On the recap, it was a very good story, but I think Mr. Fleming can do better. I give “For Your Eyes Only”: 3 out of 5.

“Quantum of Solace”:

Well, I have heard much praise for this story, and I heartily agree with it all. Funny thing is, Bond isn’t an integral part of the story. I was interested from beginning to end. The story told by the Governor was very good, and never got boring. Even Bond’s thoughts were great, as always. It was so great I found myself wanting more, as it is probably the shortest of these stories.

This story was great. It even has a moral to it. Very compelling. I will give “Quantum of Solace”: 5 out of 5.

For Your Eyes Only reviewed by… B007GLE

I’ve been behind in my reading so I just finished “From A View to a Kill”. The story is much better than I remembered. I love the way Bond ferrets out the spies. The motorcucle scenes are really exciting and should be used in a film. In fact it would make a great pre-titles sequence or the start to a novel.

“For Your Eyes Only” is better than I remembered. Fleming goes into such detail yet never bores. They were smart to take as much as they did from the story for the movie. I had forgotten that “When seeting out on revenge, first dig two graves.”–I love that line.

“Quantum of Solace”: great title and a very good story. I first read it more than 20 years ago and did not appreciate it then. Now I do. However one wonders why Fleming made this a Bond story? Coud it be he wrote it when he was tired of Bond and wanted to make Bond work for him instead of vice-versa?

“Risico”: I love this story. I was kind of stunned wehn I realized that it is not really any longer than the story “For Your Eyes Only” (actually, it’s shorter) or some of the others. However it has the Fleming sweep so it feels much more like a novella than the others. It is truly a terrific story. I wonder if Columbo later inspired Fleming to create Draco as there are many similarities.

“The Hildebrand Rarity”: Again a great title from Fleming and his descriptive powers are remarkable. He really knows how to make you feel like you’re snorkling in the Seychelles, even if you have never been near them or the ocean even. This is truly what sets him apart from his successors.

The story however, while good is not geat. The whole “mystery” aspect of it leaves me flat. Fleming gives us two suspects and leaves it up in the air for Bond and the reader as to “who dunnit?” As for me, I thnk that only Liz Krest could have killed Milton, so I don’t come away with the feeling Fleming wants us to have.

In any event the book is a very fun collection of stories any all of which are worth reading.

Keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page for further reviews of Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 adventures in the upcoming months.

Andrew Lycett Uncovers The Real 'Quantum of Solace'

Ian Fleming biographer Andrew Lycett has written an article for this weekend’s Guardian, in which he reveals the incident that inspired the James Bond author to write “Quantum of Solace”, the 007 short story that lends its name to the current record-breaking film.

“Quantum of Solace”, which was ultimately published in the 1960 short story collection For Your Eyes Only, is a decidedly un-Bondian tale, in which 007, after making a passing remark at a dinner party about his desire to marry an air hostess, is told the story of a disintegrating marriage.

The fascinating tale that inspired the short story began in 1959, as Fleming, suffering burnout from Bond, set about writing a short story collection as a way to avoid penning a fully-fledged novel. Lycett writes…

So [Fleming] turned to his girlfriend in Jamaica, Blanche Blackwell, for the real-life tale that became his story “Quantum of Solace”. Blackwell revealed how, in 1938, she had visited her then husband, Joe Blackwell, in Mandeville, where he had been seconded to the local constabulary at the time of a rebellion that threatened to bring the colony to its knees. She had been appalled to witness one of his fellow officers being humiliated by his wife’s very public extramarital affair.

She had been reminded of these events when her friend, Sylvia Foot, the wife of a recent governor general, asked her to help an unfortunate woman who had been abandoned by her husband, a former deputy police commissioner on the island. This was Elspeth Smith, the brazen adulteress of Mandeville. According to Foot, the police officer, Clive Smith, had become deputy commissioner in Jamaica. But his wife’s infidelities rankled. After a trip abroad, he told her he would no longer communicate, except in writing. When, a year later, she asked for a divorce and alimony, he informed her she would be financially secure since she had the house, the car and all the furnishings. Soon afterwards, he moved to Barbados as commissioner of police. When Elspeth Smith came to sell up, she found nothing paid for. Thus Foot’s appeal for charity. But Blackwell, recalling Elspeth’s behaviour in 1938, felt no inclination to help.

Fleming changed the Smiths’ home to Bermuda and made the policeman a diplomat, but kept the gist of the story, which in his version was told to Bond in an after-dinner conversation in Nassau about the nature of marriage. He had the narrator, the governor of the Bahamas, defining the Quantum of Solace as a precise equation of the amount of comfort necessary between two people if love is to flourish. If this figure is zero, there can be no love. Bond clearly understood, for he added that “when the other person not only makes you feel insecure but actually seems to want to destroy you … you’ve got to get away to save yourself”.

Blackwell at least received recompense for her authorial help. Fleming acknowledged her role by giving her what he called “a fat present” – in reality a slim wristwatch from Cartier. At last, a true Bond touch.

To read the whole article, visit guardian.co.uk.

“Quantum of Solace” is the title story in the newly-released Quantum of Solace: The Complete James Bond Short Stories, available in hardcover, paperback and as a Penguin Modern Classic.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the most up-to-date literary 007 news on the web.

BBC Radio 7 Broadcasts 1990 Adaptation Of Ian Fleming's 'You Only Live Twice'

Following last week’s broadcast of Alex Jennings reading Ian Fleming’s debut James Bond novel, Casino Royale, BBC Radio 7 are this weekend broadcasting the 1990 radio adaptation of Fleming’s 1964 Bond novel, You Only Live Twice.

The adaptation is faithful to Fleming’s original novel, unlike the 1967 movie starring Sean Connery.

The 90-minute broadcast is also available to download for the next seven days from the BBC Radio 7 website.

British actor Michael Jayston, who appeared in mini-series Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and currently stars in ITV soap “Emmerdale”, plays James Bond.

Alex Jennings’ reading of Casino Royale is also still available from the BBC Radio 7 website, but hurry – there’s only one day remaining to hear episode one.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the most up-to-date literary 007 news on the web.

Ian Fleming's 'Quantum of Solace' Hardback Now Shipping

Following up the paperback release at the beginning of the month, 007 fans in the UK can now get their hands on the hardback edition of Ian Fleming’s Quantum of Solace.

Identical content-wise to the recently released Quantum of Solace: The Complete James Bond Short Stories collection, this forthcoming release brings together the nine 007 short stories that make up the For Your Eyes Only and Octopussy & The Living Daylights collections).

Hardback cover | Paperback cover

Bond fans can currently order this hardback edition, retailing at £20.00, online at Amazon.co.uk.

• Order the UK hardback edition of Quantum of Solace from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the UK paperback edition of Quantum of Solace from Amazon.co.uk

Keep watching the CommanderBond.net main page for the most complete literary James Bond coverage on the web.

To keep track of all the upcoming 007 releases, events, television shows, and more–just keep your eyes on the CBn Calendar, located on the right panel of our main page.

Alex Jennings Reads 'Casino Royale' On BBC Radio 7

With Quantum of Solace receiving its world premiere tomorrow evening, there’s never been a better time to return to where the James Bond legacy began.

This week, award-winning English actor Alex Jennings (Babel, The Queen) reads from Ian Fleming’s debut 007 outing, Casino Royale, on BBC Radio 7.

Episode 1 has already aired, but it can still be downloaded from the BBC Radio 7 website.

The remaining four 30-minute episodes will be broadcast each day this week at 9:30 a.m., 8:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. the following morning. If you miss one, they can be downloaded for seven days from the first broadcast.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the most up-to-date literary 007 news on the web.

Ian Fleming's 'Quantum of Solace' Cover Art Revealed

In early July, CommanderBond.net first reported that October 2008 would see the book release of Ian Fleming’s Quantum of Solace in the UK.

Today, we can report that cover artwork that will accompany the hardback and paperback editions of this book. Click to view:

Hardback cover | Paperback cover

Similar in contents to the recently released Quantum of Solace: The Complete James Bond Short Stories collection, this forthcoming release brings together the nine 007 short stories that make up the For Your Eyes Only and Octopussy & The Living Daylights collections).

Scheduled for publication on 30 October, the hardback and paperback editions of Quantum of Solace will retail for £20.00 and £6.99, respectively.

Pre-order online:

• Order the UK hardback edition of Quantum of Solace from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the UK paperback edition of Quantum of Solace from Amazon.co.uk

Keep watching the CommanderBond.net main page for the most complete literary James Bond coverage on the web.

To keep track of all the upcoming 007 releases, events, television shows, and more–just keep your eyes on the CBn Calendar, located on the right panel of our main page.

Win Ian Fleming's 'Quantum of Solace: The Complete James Bond Short Stories'

CommanderBond.net has teamed up with Penguin Books to give away not one, not two, but five copies of the recently released US Ian Fleming collection, Quantum of Solace: The Complete James Bond Short Stories.

Acting as a tie-in to the forthcoming theatrical release of Quantum of Solace later this year, this collection brings together the nine stories that make up For Your Eyes Only and Octopussy & The Living Daylights into one single volume.

This competition is open to all members of CBn. You must be a registered member of the CBn Forums and answer the following question correctly to be eligible to win. Not yet a member of CBn? Register here now–it is free and only takes a minute!

How To Enter:

To enter, fill out the following questionnaire and send a Communiqué/Private Message on the CBn Forums to ‘CBn Competition’ (Subject: CBn Penguin) by Midnight EST on 10 October 2008 (simply click on the link in this paragraph).

1. A secret rendezvous at the Central Park Zoo is featured in which of the following Ian Fleming short stories?:

1. Quantum of Solace
2. Risico
3. Octopussy
4. 007 In New York

2. What is your CBn Forum Screen Name?
3. What country/state do you live in?

Ian Fleming's 'Quantum of Solace' On Audio CD

A new listing has appeared on Amazon.co.uk for an audio CD edition of Ian Fleming’s Quantum of Solace.

While details are limited at the moment, this BBC Audiobooks release, which is scheduled for 6 November 2008, will likely be similar to the upcoming For Your Eyes Only audio CD in the United States as a way to tie in with the 22nd James Bond film.

The Quantum of Solace audio CD will retail for £8.99 and can be pre-ordered online:

• Order the UK Audio CD edition of Quantum of Solace from Amazon.co.uk

Keep watching the CommanderBond.net main page for the most complete literary James Bond coverage on the web.

To keep track of all the upcoming 007 releases, events, television shows, and more–just keep your eyes on the CBn Calendar, located on the right panel of our main page.

'Quantum of Solace: The Complete James Bond Short Stories' Released In US

The new Quantum of Solace: The Complete James Bond Short Stories collection is released today in the United States.

Following up the release of its UK counterpart this past April, this Ian Fleming collection acts as a tie-in of sorts to the upcoming 007 film with Daniel Craig and brings together all nine short stories originally featured in the For Your Eyes Only and Octopussy & The Living Daylights collections.

The US cover artwork should be familiar to literary Bond fans as it is designed in the same style of the Richie Fahey/Roseanne Serra covers that adorned the 2002-2004 Penguin trade paperbacks in the US and the 2006 paperbacks in the UK.

The full line-up of Fleming short stories include:

• From a View to a Kill
• For Your Eyes Only
• Quantum of Solace
• Risico
• The Hildebrand Rarity
• Octopussy
• The Living Daylights
• The Property of a Lady
• 007 in New York

Order online:

• Order Quantum of Solace: The Complete James Bond Short Stories from Amazon.co.uk
• Order Quantum of Solace: The Complete James Bond Short Stories from Amazon.com

Keep watching the CommanderBond.net main page for the most complete literary James Bond coverage on the web. To keep track of all the upcoming 007 releases, events, television shows, and more–just keep your eyes on the CBn Calendar, located on the right panel of our main page.