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To wit, this little item.
Reason b) The new Board of Directors of the Ian Fleming literary estate (formerly Glidrose, now Ian Fleming Publications Ltd.) want to concentrate on promoting the original Fleming books during the 50th anniversary year (hence the terrific Penguin reissues in both the UK and US).
It does not appear that the new Board was terrily interested in continuing with new contemporary Bond titles, and as we've seen they later plunged into Young Bond and MP Diaries, followed later by the Faulks experiment, the Deaver re-boot experiment and Boyd's recent attempt at reviving period Bond.
Now its back to more Young Bond. Groan. At this stage if Benson can't be revived, I'd even settle for more Deaver continuing what he started with Carte Blanche. I like to read contemporary Bond.
Once I get through the re-read of the set of 7 film adaptation novels (currently on #4 Goldeneye) I am going to commit to re-reading the entire 20 volume Gardner/Benson collection, seeing as nothing new is in the works.
@dragonpol regarding your post on Benson. Yes it does seem Benson might have had enough, but as you point out that might have had a lot to do with IFP's lack of enthusiasm for continuing, and their desire to move in a more Fleming focused vein.
Personally, I think Benson could have been encouraged to continue, if there was appropriate energy and enthusiasm directed towards supporting his continued efforts, but it does not appear that there was.
Do yourself a favour and read 'I Am Pilgrim' - at least it will be time well spent!
I did enjoy reading Gardner/Benson first time around simply because I like reading Bond.
As I have never re-visited any of these titles, unlike the Flemings and post-Fleming Amis and Pearson books, I think it might be fun to re-visit the book Bond of the '80s to early '00s. It has been a while.
Yes well that was the problem that thriller writer supremo had with the continuation Bond project - it wasn't his character, but he still did a very good job despite that.
He's been asked twice already and turned it down both times.
http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1631477,00.html
thriller writer supremo? You don't mean Deaver, do you?
Like I said, Bond continuation novels are glorified fanfics. Continuation novels are, period.
I was in fact referring there to John Gardner.
Your answer is soothing my soul! The idea, that someone could think of Deaver as a supreme thriller writer was really troubling me.
Well I am called Dragonpol in memory of the late great John Gardner.
Bring back John Pearson! The last book he wrote was in 2010. He's only 83. Plenty young enough providing he's in good health.
Oh, one of them. :)
Well, if they're going to cease having adult Bond books written, then they should stop making the movies too.
Pearson is still around! Great. Yes please, another Pearson effort would be awesome, although he wrote in the Fleming timeline. I don't think we need a Bond in his late-80's book, but if he wanted to write Bond in the current context, ie pick up where Deaver left off with Carte Blanche, that would be great.
It's titled 'Moriarty' and will be published on October 23rd. His first, 'House Of Silk' was fabulous.
Clearly the Conan Doyle estate recognise the benefit in commissioning a quality writer to commit to more than one novel. Oh how I wish IFP would take a leaf out of their book!
Ironically, the late great John Gardner, wrote a couple of Moriarty stories but they didn't feature Baker Street's most famous sleuth.
Maybe this is an omen and we could see Horowitz could transition into the role of Bond author?
God knows we need him or Higson. Another misfire would be too much to take!
Yes! He's hiding in plain sight!
His 'Authorized Biography of 007' is amazing. A continuation novel of sorts.
Well you know my thoughts on Anthony Horowitz, @Villiers53. I concur and yes, interesting omen there perhaps regarding John Gardner, the last of his three 'Moriarty Journals' was of course entitled Moriarty (2008).
Unfortunately it seems like IFP only want to go for authors who are very much in the public eye today. Much like Eon's philosophy when recruiting singers for the Bond themes. Bloody shame. A travesty.
If only that were true with Adele we got a great title song, the likes we did not have the last ten years or since Aha with TLD.
As for known writers I do not mind at least we keep the literary 007 alive. And while the books were not all that great they showed a variety of 007 that was entertaining. The only thing I really blame Boyd for is how he did not expanded on Bonds role in the imperialist tendencies after the decolonization of Africa. It would have made for a far more realistic version.
I have to confess that with the exception of the original theme and Barry's fabulous background scores, I've found the title songs somewhat lacking albeit I wouldn't mind Caro Emerald giving it ago but maybe my motives are not just musical.
Regarding SOLO, you make an excellent point about the decolonisation of Africa. That said, I think there were many more shortcomings. Not least of all the fact that he turned Bond into a badly dressed, voyeuristic, alcoholic that couldn't even choose a decent car!
"If only that were true with Adele we got a great title song, the likes we did not have the last ten years or since Aha with TLD."
It's testament to the fact that hiring well knowns often doesn't work. They want to be too original and do their own thing. This goes for the singers and literary Bond authors. For me, Adele's tune was the first great Bond song since LTK, although I will say that Goldeneye is rather a good song but it doesn't stand the test of time as well as the excellent TLD and LTK does. As for the other pre Dalton era Bond tunes, I've always thought they were nice but not songs that stay in my head.
I originally thought that hiring well known authors would be a good idea but look at what has happened? I wish Deaver and Faulk's book had have never been written. There were some good bits in Boyd's novel but as others have said, having Bond drive that car and wearing certain items of apparel was disappointing. It's annoying when authors want to stamp their own mark on Bond. It seems lime it's more common with big names. Deaver had Bond wear a burgundy tie which was worse than what Boyd had him in. Deaver was wearing a burgundy tie at his book signing.