John Gardner RIP

[Greg Haugen]

John Gardner has passed away. I must confess I haven't read a single one of his James Bond books. I did read a thriller he wrote about a Soviet invasion of Western Europe once. Can't remember what it was called.

www.mi6.co.uk/sections/articles/literary_gardner_obituary.php3?t=&s=

[James]

The first two Bond books he wrote were the best. He did a good job with a difficult task - stepping into Fleming's shoes. The books were entertaining though and his research was always evident in terms of things like technology.

[Alec 006]

Hello,

Like many Bond fans...I was saddened to hear of the loss of John Gardner.

The only literary 007 I've ever really read was Ian Fleming...and I must admit, I only own one of Mr. Gardner's books...his novelization of "Licence To Kill". He certainly had a great feel for the Bond character, the book however varied in some parts in comparison to the film's script, but that is to be expected.

John Gardner did the James Bond character proud and will be missed. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all his fans.

Take Care!

[Greg Haugen]

The boss put a small article on the main site. Sounds like John Gardner had a very colourful life.

[alex]

There was a great interview with Gardner in one of Graham Rye's old 007 magazines. I think it was conducted by Raymond Benson.

[Kadov]

I read most of John Gardner's books, even the two novelizations (for LTK and GE). Although his books were similiar to the style of the films, I still looked forward to when Gardner would have a new novel released. I remember looking at the New York Times book sales chart (back in the 80s), and it felt good to see a Bond novel in the top 10 or 15 list. I don't recall ever seeing Benson's work climbing the New York Times book charts.

There was always something about Gardner; it was comfortable to read him, he had that seasoned grace of a pro. You knew you were reading prose from somebody who knew what he was talking about, was confident about telling you something, regardless of how far-fetched the story might be. Over the years, he expressed that he was tired of writing the Bonds and that the approach set by Glidrose was too limiting. But on the whole, I think Gardner did justice to the literary franchise. In my view, it hit its nadir during Benson's tenure, dropping drastically in quality as if these books were suddenly aimed at the dime novel crowd. I think Glidrose, or the Ian Fleming Publications, is trying to go back and elevate the quality of the books, continuing in a sense where Gardner left off, by hiring the distinguished author Sebastian Faulks to write the centenary novel.

[Greg Haugen]

I might have to read these. After Colonel Sun they apparently planned to have further Bond novels but written by a different author each time. That sounded like an interesting idea.

[iluvnenablofeld]

I also liked most of the Gardner books with my 2 favorite being For Special Services and Role of Honor. The only pet peeve I had with him is att he end of FSS he had Blofeld daughter (Nena) killed. To me it would have more exciting to let her escape and have another crack at Bond in a later book.

[drfanshawe]

My first choice would have been for them to invite a respected author to write a new Bond novel - the approach they have followed with Markham/Amis and Faulks.

But, Gardner was well up to the job of reinventing the literary James Bond and wrote some interesting books.

I'm not too keen on Raymond Benson though.