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  1. Sebastian Faulks On The Appeal Of James Bond

    By Devin Zydel on 2008-05-29

    With Sebastian Faulks’ new novel Devil May Care out in stores and the centenary reprints of Ian Fleming’s original James Bond novels officially released today, fans of the literary 007 should have plenty to keep them occupied with in the upcoming weeks.

    In a recent NPR article, Faulks discussed what particular aspects of a Bond novel made Fleming’s British spy most appealing to him.

    'Devil May Care'

    Devil May Care

    Describing his experience of reading all 14 in chronological order when first approached to write a new Bond adventure, Faulks said: ‘What they had above all was the sense of a man in terrible danger. Within 20 pages you feel your heart beginning to beat a bit faster, and you’re worried for this guy. Fairly quickly I began to think this is something that I could have a lot of fun doing.’

    ‘When you read the books in chronological order, you see just how appealing [Bond] must have been to Britain in the late 1950s and early 1960s,’ he continued. ‘Suddenly along comes this guy who is jetting off all over the world, the sun is always shining. And the adventures that he has make it seem like Britain is still–or was still–a real power in the world.’

    ‘It does remind someone of my age, how I grew up, expecting in Western Europe to be annihilated more or less anytime in the Cold War. … There is still resonance in that: the resourcefulness of one rather coldhearted–but very quick-witted–man pitted against a huge, vast implacable enemy.’

    The article also includes yet another excerpt of Devil May Care; chapter 1 in this case. So if you haven’t decided whether or not to give Faulks’ 007 a try, click here.

    Keep your eyes glued to the CommanderBond.net main page for complete coverage of Devil May Care and all the Ian Fleming centenary events.