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Deaver on Carte Blanche and who he was envisioning while writing
You wrote the recent James Bond novel “Carte Blanche.” Why'd you decide to tackle that assignment and did that book expand the audience for your thrillers?
Well, it certainly did that. I only intended to do one book, unlike [Raymond] Benson, who wrote a dozen in the series. But I did it as a lark because I loved Bond as a kid. I thought I could contribute by bringing him into present day as a young agent while paralleling his personality from the '50s. Some diehard Bond fans weren't happy but it did well.
You can't please everybody, but it was a positive experience for me. The gist of one review was, “is this a hero that we need for the present day?” and my response is, “Yes, I think so.” Just look at headlines recently! My Bond had nothing to do with Ukraine or Crimea but I did kind of sense that we were going back to traditional heroes and villains so I thought, let's get back to the basics of the big Soviet bear vs. the American eagle. And sure enough, it came true!
Who's your favorite Bond, and is there anyone you'd like to see take over the role when Daniel Craig is ready to move on?
Sean Connery is my favorite, but if “Carte Blanche” is ever made — Guy Pearce. He looks more like the Bond in my mind more than anyone else and he has the presence. If they want to buy the book and use my input on casting
http://www.thewrap.com/bone-collector-author-jeffery-deaver-on-new-sequel-james-bond-and-the-state-of-journalism/
which halfway through the godawful Solo Carte Blanche was far from bad and I would love a sequel either by Deaver (which now seems impossible) or by another author.
Well, it certainly did that. I only intended to do one book, unlike [Raymond] Benson, who wrote a dozen in the series. But I did it as a lark because I loved Bond as a kid. I thought I could contribute by bringing him into present day as a young agent while paralleling his personality from the '50s. Some diehard Bond fans weren't happy but it did well.
You can't please everybody, but it was a positive experience for me. The gist of one review was, “is this a hero that we need for the present day?” and my response is, “Yes, I think so.” Just look at headlines recently! My Bond had nothing to do with Ukraine or Crimea but I did kind of sense that we were going back to traditional heroes and villains so I thought, let's get back to the basics of the big Soviet bear vs. the American eagle. And sure enough, it came true!
Who's your favorite Bond, and is there anyone you'd like to see take over the role when Daniel Craig is ready to move on?
Sean Connery is my favorite, but if “Carte Blanche” is ever made — Guy Pearce. He looks more like the Bond in my mind more than anyone else and he has the presence. If they want to buy the book and use my input on casting
http://www.thewrap.com/bone-collector-author-jeffery-deaver-on-new-sequel-james-bond-and-the-state-of-journalism/
which halfway through the godawful Solo Carte Blanche was far from bad and I would love a sequel either by Deaver (which now seems impossible) or by another author.
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Comments
Same here. He's a good looking guy, but somehow not quite dashing and rakish enough.
He certainly lacks something for Bond IMO. A bit too skinny, a bit too soft looking. And now he is 46, which makes him an ever odder choice for Bond. Carte Blanche is the only non-Fleming Bond novel I have. I did not read it yet. Not sure I am in any hurry now.
What, no John Gardner, @Ludovico?
Not even Colonel Sun?
Doesn't mean they can't be good.
I guess there are good fanfics, they are still fanfics.
Don't see much point reading it. I did like the novelization of TSWLM though.
Colonel Sun is well worth reading as it is the only continuation to feel authentic as it was the only one written in the 1960s. And it was written by Kingsley Amis - expert on all things Bond. I'm planning on re-reading it soon for a miniseries on the novel for my blog that aims to explore it more in-depth than ever before. I think you should give it a read ASAP, especially if you did like Wood's TSWLM novelisation.
Ironically, the same was often said of some of John Gardner's later James Bond novels especially the experimental The Man From Barbarossa (1991).
Everybody considers it to be all so difficult then in walks Anthony Horowitz and reboots an infinitely more challenging franchise featuring a certain Mr.Sherlock Holmes.
Personally, I lay all of this firmly at the door of the IFP board. They simply don't care. Either that or they've been lobotomised!
Strangely things seem to have declined since the Fleming family took over the reigns at IFP, rather ironically...and Anthony Horowitz should definitely be given the next adult Bond novel to do. Either him or Ken Follett.
By followers do you mean Bond continuation authors, @Ludovico?
Thank you for that interesting etymology of the word "followers", @Ludovico.
Well said, Simon. We must keep the JG Flag flying high!
Yes, JG gave a lot of his time and energy over to the literary James Bond from 1981 to 1996 and I will never allow him to be forgotten while a member on this site. Just check my name for my Gardnerologist credentials!
No, the short stories don't count as they were never released in their own short story collection. And Benson also wrote the unreleased 'The Heart of Erzulie' of course. ;)
Frankly, I find this to be a ridiculous idea.
If the literary continuation is to have any merit Bond has to be Fleming's Bond.
Benson's attempt at filmesque books were absolute stinkers and Deaver's submission was an abomination.
Horowitz's interpretation of Conan Doyle's Holmes was firmly rooted in the original description of the character and so it has to be with 007.
It's not complicated, IFP should just phone Higson and get it done. We've suffered enough!
Agreed.