I re-read Casino Royale last year, and found it very difficult going. The overt sadism in the book was very disturbing. For the series as a whole, the treatment of women became increasingly difficult to take (speaking as one who didn't actually read the books until the early 1970s).
The Fleming books were of their era, but they are tightly written and much, much better than some would lead you to believe. I never think to mention Fleming as an influence, because usually all the crime writers come to mind. But I read him and learned from him. I turned to him initially because Mickey Spillane wasn't writing much at the time, and the Mick's paperback publisher (Signet) was touting Bond as the British Mike Hammer. He kind of was -- CASINO ROYALE is hugely Spillane influenced -- which I why I don't react as Don Coffin does above.
This is true of me, too, Al, but like you I always forget to mention Fleming and Donald Hamilton and James Atlee Phillips. I need to remember to do that if anybody ever asks again.
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I re-read Casino Royale last year, and found it very difficult going. The overt sadism in the book was very disturbing. For the series as a whole, the treatment of women became increasingly difficult to take (speaking as one who didn't actually read the books until the early 1970s).
The Fleming books were of their era, but they are tightly written and much, much better than some would lead you to believe. I never think to mention Fleming as an influence, because usually all the crime writers come to mind. But I read him and learned from him. I turned to him initially because Mickey Spillane wasn't writing much at the time, and the Mick's paperback publisher (Signet) was touting Bond as the British Mike Hammer. He kind of was -- CASINO ROYALE is hugely Spillane influenced -- which I why I don't react as Don Coffin does above.
This is true of me, too, Al, but like you I always forget to mention Fleming and Donald Hamilton and James Atlee Phillips. I need to remember to do that if anybody ever asks again.
I guess I should mention that James Atlee Phillips was writing as Philip Atlee when I was reading him.
Me, too, Bill -- Hamilton and Atlee.
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