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Happy Birthday, Ian Fleming
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Today, May 28, is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond. His estate celebrated by having yet another author, Sebastian Faulks in this case, write yet another authorized novel about 007, titled “Devil May Care.”
My question: Does anyone? Care, that is?
I read all the Ian Fleming novels when I was a kid, and thought they rocked. Fleming?s creation stands with the likes of Sherlock Holmes as a timeless archetype.
But this business of sequels authorized by the estate of the author is usually more about milking a property for all its worth. Are you listening, Margaret Mitchell estate?
So on the 100th birthday of Fleming, how should we honor him? By rushing out and buying the new book by Faulks, or by just lifting a glass, even if only symbolically, to a writer who got it just right?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Books
Comments
By David Somerset
May 28, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
I have also read all of the Fleming novels and am currently trying to get my wife to read them as well. It’s funny how I have never run into any so called Bond fan that has read the books. I read several of the Gardner novels and they didn’t to a thing for me. They seemed to be too focused on the gadgetry instead of 007 himself. That being said, we should all just pour ourselves a Vesper and raise a toast.
By J.D.
May 28, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
I read the earlier James Bond books… that is after my Dad finished reading them. Great content and imaginative, but as I got older I preferred to wait and watch the movies instead.
I’m surprised it wasn’t mentioned that he was also the author of the children’s story, “Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang”.
I guess that’d make a bunch of vodka martinis get sloshed.
By Ernst S. Blofeld
May 28, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
He is famous for creating the character of James Bond — in books. Books that no one reads. The character and plots have virtually nothing to do with the movies. And, the movies are why the public knows Bond. The character we know as Bond is primarily a creation of screenwriter Richard Maibaum and actor Sean Connery. The books are devoid of humor, which, ab initio, was a hallmark of the film series. Cubby Broccoli once said that Fleming provided a title and that was about it, for a handsome fee.
And, finally, yes, I read one of the novels: GOLDFINGER. A crashing bore.