Rating: 
Summary: Benson's Bond Series Overview
Review: As a long time 007 fan, I have just re-read all of Raymond Benson's Bond novels in the proper order and have some reflections on his entire series through "Never Dream of Dying." First of all, Benson is not Ian Fleming and readers should get past that expectation before beginning. He's not John Gardner, either (thank goodness!). That said, I believe Benson has come the closest to Ian Fleming of all the post-Fleming writers in that he has truly captured the essence of Bond's character and the universe in which 007 operates. It is a fantasy spy world, not based in reality, just as Fleming's was, but like Bond's creator, Benson keeps the main character very human. Benson's Bond makes mistakes, shows fear, feels pain, and is melancholy much of the time. At the same time, Benson has brought in many elements of the Bond film series (I have read an interview with him that states that he and the Ian Fleming Estate agreed that this would be the approach to take). Therefore, Benson's Bond is a mixture of the cinematic and literary Bonds, and for me, this works splendidly. I have seen some fans object to this or that but it seems to me that these fans are not getting past personal expectations. Bond is many things to many people. Benson, a long time Bond scholar and author of the excellent "James Bond Bedside Companion" knows his stuff. He has nailed the Bond character. Some have complained about his writing style. Benson is no Fleming, as stated earlier, but his style is succinct and easy to read. His books flow quickly and are highly entertaining. "ZERO MINUS TEN": Benson's first book has one of his best plots, but it suffers slightly from being a "first novel." His writing is at its weakest here, but that said, ZMT is a wonderful Bond story. It is very Fleming-esque with its Hong Kong location, characters like Guy Thackeray and T. Y. Woo and Li Xu Nan, and its descriptions of food, mahjong, and Triads. When reading ZMT, one is immediately aware that this is a harder-edged and darker Bond than perhaps what we are used to. For a first effort, it is very, very good. "THE FACTS OF DEATH": Benson's second book is more film-like, it feels like an EON Productions movie story. The plot is more "fantastic" in that it deals with a secret criminal organization called the Decada that is run by a crazy mastermind. The writing is improved,though, and in many ways this is a more entertaining book than ZMT. What is especially interesting is Benson's development of the "M" character and her relationship with Bond. "HIGH TIME TO KILL": My personal favorite of the bunch. This is a classic Bond novel in every sense of the word. The first half is fairly predictable cinematic-Bond stuff, except for a very Fleming-esque opening and 2nd chapter golf match. The second half, however, shows Benson hitting his stride and finding his own voice with a truly original departure from what is expected. As Bond and companions climb one of the highest peaks in the Himalayas, the action becomes more like an "Into Thin Air"-type story. It's authentic spy-stuff amidst an environment that is cruel and harsh. This is a thrilling, un-put-downable book. "DOUBLESHOT": Another departure from the norm, as Benson appears to be experimenting with the structure of a Bond novel with this one. The first chapter is the ending of the book told from the different perspectives of several characters. The rest of the story begins in the past and catches up to the ending, and by then we are hooked. In this story, Bond is not well, he is injured, he is not working at full capacity, and this is what is interesting. "Doubleshot" is the middle book of a loose trilogy (beginning with "High Time to Kill") and it is darker and more introspective than the others. Some fans apparently didn't get it, but in many ways, this is Benson's most courageous book. "NEVER DREAM OF DYING": Another great one, right up there with "High Time to Kill," in terms of glueing a reader to the page. It's an excellent plot, tying up the trilogy that Benson began in HTTK. In this book, one can see the blending of the cinematic and literary Bonds more than in any other entry-- a lot of the action is very movie-like, while the storyline and characterizations are more like the Fleming novels. The moods and settings are the best that Benson has done, and the love interest is perhaps his strongest. The real stroke of brilliance in the book is what the author has done with the character of Bond's father in law. A very engaging book. My five-star review is based on Benson's series as a whole. Each book may not be a 5-star book on its own, but I don't think any of them are less than 4. Benson has put his mark on the Bond literary series. Fans who don't like him tend to focus on one or two aspects of what he does-- his writing style, his dependence on the cinematic elements, whatever... I feel that they're not seeing the forest for the trees. In my humble opinion, Raymond Benson has brought new life to the series and I hope he continues the books a long, long time.
Rating:
Summary: Benson, Raymond Benson
Review: As a suspense writer with my debut novel in its initial release, I have endless admiration for the James Bond series. It is the most successful suspense/thriller series of all time--if one doesn't count Homer's heroic epics which are still in print a few millennia after they were written--and the series is still going strong in Raymond Benson's capable hands. He was a Bond scholar before he began writing these new Bond novels, and he gets Ian Fleming's characters and attitudes correct. NEVER DREAM OF DYING has everything one has grown to expect from a James Bond book or film. There are super-villians, exotic locales, glamorous women, and a spectacular conclusion. Read it and enjoy it.
Rating: 
Summary: Raymond Benson wears Florshiem shoes & shops at Pennys!
Review: As with Raymond Benson's previous Bond books, I really tried to read this book but had to quit in disgust! Benson's refers to a MPL submachine gun in his book. Any body with any type of tactical background knows that he should have referred to an H&K MPK! Very poor editing also. When Benson describes Bond wearing a sportcoat, that's all the detail we get. Fleming would tell us the tailor and the material. These things were important to Fleming and Bond and they are part of the allure of the orginal books. Ian Fleming cared about the things he wore, drove, ate, drank and made love to. Raymond Benson does not have the slightest clue about the finer things in life nor does he want to. He probably wears Florshiem shoes, a Casio watch and shops for clothing at Penny's and could care less about the rest. A terrible book along with his other Bond books. What a total waste of a charachter!
Rating: 
Summary: Blast(s) from the past
Review: Benson brings back a couple of classic Fleming characters in this novel, his 5th effort at a full length Bond book. They way they are used is controversial, and for some, likely disappointing. (I was) But the book on the whole is a page-turning thriller.
Rating:
Summary: Close
Review: Benson is no Ian Fleming, but he is trying. His use of questions in tense situations is disconcerting, to wit: 007 is about to have his hiding place revealed and the author has Bond say: "Can I escape?" I'm paraphrasing here, but such techniques do not add to 007's professional image. Overall an OK rendition of the continuing Bond series...and I will definitely read the next one, as well.
Rating:
Summary: Best Benson book to date!
Review: From the discriptive (and raunchy) sex scenes, to the cold Union atmosphere, Benson outdoes himself in the finale of the Union trilogy.It starts out innocently enough at a soundstage in France, where a raid goes wrong, leading up to Bond meeting an old (unexpected) friend, to the grand finale where the Union's leader goes up against Bond. All in all, a very rushing ride. Good Job, Raymond!
Rating:
Summary: A Different Look At Bond
Review: Having just completed reading Never Dream Of Dying, I can honestly say that in my view it is Benson's best effort since he entered the realm of 007. I say this for a variety of reasons. First off, some parts of the story are reminiscent of my all time personal favorite, "Thunderball" and secondly, he resurrects some old familiar characters that needed revisiting. One old aquantance in particular is reconciled. Thirdly, you will see a different side of 007 that aptly shows how carelessly vulnerable even the great James Bond can become when mortalized with an affair of the heart. This story successfully closes out the "Union" trilogy and teases the reader with a hook that will take us to the next adventure. In conclusion. I would very much like to see some type of screen adaptation to this storyline. To the Brocolli's...GO GET THIS ONE.
Rating:
Summary: Benson relives Flemings novels.
Review: I enjoy Raymond Benson's Bond novels. I have gone on to say that "Doubleshot" wasn't that good, because it wasn't, but this one is truely well written. The one thing I like about Benson is that he has read if not studied the Fleming novels. Bringing back both Marc-Ange Draco and Rene Mathis was brilliant. And the twist at the end, I read this book in two days. Please write more books Benson!
Rating: 
Summary: A Tad Weak
Review: I have to admit that I was disapointed with the ending to the Union Trilogy, it just seemed a bit weak compared to it's predecesors. Still, it has memorable scenes, it was great to see Mathis back in action, and it has the best girl and villain yet from the Benson books. Worth reading if you've read the first two books to the trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: Benson's best Bond!
Review: I read "Never Dream of Dying" in two short days. I couldn't put it down. More than the other "continuation" authors, Raymond Benson captures the spirit of Ian Fleming's James Bond. He doesn't write like Fleming, but somehow he nails Fleming's character. The plot here is a thrilling conclusion to the "Union trilogy" (which began in "High Time to Kill and continued in "Doubleshot") but you don't need to have read those two to enjoy this one. Le Gerant is a great villain, and "Never Dream of Dying" boasts some terrific locations in Cannes and Corsica. It would make a great film, if only EON Productions would wake up and pay attention.
|
