Archie Goodwin VS James Bond

[Brian Sheridan]

Im John McAleer's outstanding biography on Rex Stout, he quotes a passage from Ian Fleming's novel, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, where 007 mentions he reads Nero Wolfe novels.

Fleming wanted to have Archie and Nero appear in a Bond novel and vice versa. Stoute turned him down saying Bond would get all the women and that would bruise Archie's ego.

That leads me to the question: "Who would you rather hang with, James Bond or Archie Goodwin?"

Bond (of the books) seems so humorless and dour. I don't see wanting spend time with him socially. Archie on the other hand loves to go to baseball games, the movies, dancing.

Who do you all think?

 

[Flash Gordon]

Archie, hands down.

Here's why:

He's got a terrific wise guy sense of humor.
I'd probably be invited over to the brownstone for a meal.
He'd introduce me to his tailor.
I'd tag along to The Flamingo and dance with his cast-offs.

 

[Archie Goodwin]

Obviously, I would vote for Archie.

 

[ScionPI2005]

Archie is down to earth. I think James Bond is so superhuman that he is full of himself. I'd rather hang out with Archie, seeing that I am a regular human, after all.

 

[MagistrateChris]

At least an evening with Bond. He's a high-roller, all the way, and the top end fashion and accessories, a bonus.

 

[MagistrateChris]

At least an evening with Bond. He's a high-roller, all the way, and the top end fashion and accessories, a bonus. Plus, I could try and talk him out of the PPK, and into a better sidearm.

 

[deanglen]

At least an evening with Bond. He's a high-roller, all the way, and the top end fashion and accessories, a bonus. Plus, I could try and talk him out of the PPK, and into a better sidearm.

What're the drawbacks to the PPK?

dean

 

[The Wolf]

Archie Goodwin, definately.
Doc Savage's associate, Monk Mayfair might be fun as well.

Sincerely,
The Wolf

 

[LocktownDog]

Doc Savage's associate, Monk Mayfair might be fun as well.

Only if Ham tagged along to add some interesting fireworks to the evening. lol

Bond is an uptight snob. Good at what he does and he knows it. Archie would buy you a dog at the ballgame, at least. Gotta say though that I'd probably get along better with Wolfe himself. There's nothing I'd like to see more than his orchid room. And the man knew how to eat!

Richard

 

[Diamondback]

What're the drawbacks to the PPK?

Do you want the full list, or just the Cliff's Notes, sir?

 

[Viola]

From a girl's point of view, going out with these guys, James'll take you to nicer places... but you'll always have more fun with Archie.

Bond, in the novels, is always in a sulk, or preoccupied, or mad as heck. Archie's just a playa, and a good-hearted one at that.

That and there's one line from a Bond novel that freaks me out to this day as the ultimate standard in action-adventure misogyny and I'm not sure I'd want to be alone with him.

 

[Diamondback]

That, and women who associated with Bond had a nasty habit of turning up dead. Put it this way, if I had a sister and 007 got involved with her, I'd whack him myself just to make sure he didn't get her killed.

BTW, which novel was it in, Miss V? A whole lot of them were rather racy, and I'm certain The Man With The Golden Gun violated "Obscenity/Pornography" statutes in several communities...

 

[Viola]

BTW, which novel was it in, Miss V? A whole lot of them were rather racy, and I'm certain The Man With The Golden Gun violated "Obscenity/Pornography" statutes in several communities...

I looked it up to be sure. Its The Spy Who Loved Me, but I wronged James Bond as the speaker - its the female protagonist who says "secretly, all women want to be raped."

OK, Fleming, keep it to yourself.

 

[Diamondback]

Ummm, yeah, that is pretty far gone. John Gardner cleaned Bond up a lot, but even his work was rather "hormonally charged", shall we say?

As far as who I'd associate with--if I need someone put down, Bond. If I'm looking for someone to talk philosophy with, Nero. Just to grab a cold one or two, Archie.

Final answer: Nero or Archie, probably the latter since I'm not a fan of some of the more "haute cuisine" stuff.

 

[Viola]

Mack Bolan is probably more fun to hang out with than James Bond anyway. Of course there's enough continuity issues with different writers that he can write off "I just...don't remember that..." more honestly than most guys. lol

 

[Diamondback]

Mack Bolan is probably more fun to hang out with than James Bond anyway. Of course there's enough continuity issues with different writers that he can write off "I just...don't remember that..." more honestly than most guys. lol

And I'll bet you'd have a higher survival-probability with him, too--heck, I wouldn't mind having Bolan as a shooting partner, and I'm usually adamant about "when I 'sing', it's SOLO!"

Bear in mind, that today Bolan would probably be around 70-80 if we use the timeline Pendleton started with...

 

[Novella]

I would definitely choose Archie Goodwin! James Bond is appealing in an inaccessible way. I've never read the Bond books, so the only impression of him I have is the Bond from the movies. In the movies he's somehow suave and rough at once. Appealing, but only from a few feet away. I don't think I'd want to get too close to him. Archie, on the other hand....well, I'd do anything with Archie. He's clever, often hilarious, and seems like he would know how to show a girl a good time. I think he'd be a lot more interesting to talk to, and I'd love to go out dancing or to a movie with him.

 

[Diamondback]

Looks official: Commander Bond gets no love in this thread. lol Nor, one could postulate, does he deserve any... (heck, I'd argue that even Jason Bourne* would be better company!)

(Not even from someone he had a heavy influence on! )

*The original Ludlum version--I'm dismissing the Damon film or van Lustbader "continuation" versions from my commentary.