Literary James Bond re-read #4: Diamonds Are Forever (1956) by Ian Fleming

#diamondsareforever #jamesbond #ianfleming #booktube I discuss and analyze Ian Fleming’s fourth James Bond novel DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER from 1956. Often seen as a bit of a disappointment by fans for its more standard narrative, the book is most important for its character development and in particular Fleming’s most complex heroine to date. The book is very much Fleming playing in the vein of an American pulp thriller and doesn’t reach the innovate heights of the previous three books. Yet there are still enormously important aspects and Fleming’s writing is never boring. I also discuss the adaptations of the novel and its influence on several films in the EON series. Plus I defend the unfairly maligned 1971 film adaptation. I also discuss some of the book editions and releases over the years with a focus on cover artwork designs. 00:00 Intro and Book discussion 25:12 EON 1971 Film Adaptation 29:48 Influence on other EON films: LIVE AND LET DIE, A VIEW TO A KILL 30:43 Enormous influence on LICENCE TO KILL 33:27 Daily Express Newspaper Comic Strip 34:34 BBC Radio Drama Adaptation...oh dear there are some odd choices made here... 39:05 Cover Artwork and Book Editions-UK Jonathan Cape 1st Edition 39:49 Macmillan US 1st edition 40:57 UK Pan first paperback 41:17 US Perma books paperback 41:48 2nd UK Pan paperback 42:07 US Signet paperback 43:03 1965 UK Pan JAMES BOND paperback 43:15 1971 Movie Tie in reprint 43:48 1972 UK Pan paperback 44:03 1974 UK item still life cover paperback 44:28 1980's Jove US paperback 44:48 1980's US Berkley/Charter paperback 45:17 1996 UK Coronet Books paperback 45:41 2002 UK Penguin Paperback 46:22 US 2002 Penguin paperback Richie Fahey artwork 46:52 2004 Penguin Paperback 47:25 2009 Penguin Michael Gillette cover series 47:55 2012 Vintage Books editions 48:41 Thomas and Mercer paperback 49:10 2023 Ian Fleming Publications UK edition-EDITED text-AVOID 50:09 ABYSMAL 2023 Harper Collins USA edition-EDITED text-WORST cover the book has EVER had-AVOID!!! 50:56 Folio Society Edition 52:25 Final Summary