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Personally, although Follet has written some good books (Eye of the Needle, Pillars Of The Earth - notably), I think his overall quality is variable and don't feel him to be right for Bond.
Given that IFP have our hero on literary life support we need the resurrection man. Another debacle and book Bond would be consigned to the read and laugh file.
If the plan is for retro Bond, Higens is a slam dunk. It would be a natural continuation for him and pre Casino Royale would prove to be a very fertile era that Charlie could mine ad nauseum.
I think a modern Bond is not so obvious. The technical aspects of spying can't be ignored and they introduce a level of complexity that doesn't fit naturally with the Bond formula. Lee Child circumvents this issue by having a hero, Jack Reacher, that eschews all technology and who works in the shadows. Clearly this isn't an option for an employee of HMSS.
We need somebody that can marry the high old tone with it's sex, violence, glamour and snobbery with the modern tools of espionage and surveillance without making it heavy or dull. This is a little more complex than the retro route and it makes me think a lot about Charles Cumming. That said, having recently read the fabulous 'I Am Pilgrim' I am also thinking a lot about Terry Hayes because, in many regards, IAP is what a modern Bond novel could be.
Hmm. A quick google seems to suggest there's actually no such bloke as Charlie Higens.
There's a Mike Higens who seems to be some sort of preacher with a video on YouTube that has been viewed a phenomenal 2 times (even Solo can boast better figures) and also a Phyllis Higens who emigrated from Somerest to Canada in 1921 but I'm sceptical about their writing credentials.
I still think Charlie Higson would be a better bet.
if you ever get a chance to get a hold of The folio edition of "Live and Let Die", the introduction by Ken Follet proves he would be up to the task.
What sharp little eyes you have @WizardOflce. Thankfuly you have the intellect to understand the limitations of the iPhone key pad?
Boyd manages to imitate perfectly Fleming's style of describing Bond's thoughts, but the storyline doesn't follow.
Fleming's book usually had a clear setting : Bond was given a clear assignment, designated a bad guy, and then Bond built his mission with cold professionalism and entertaining action while, adding a bit of his reflections to darken the story. Bond faces evil, and our interest is to see how he defeats it.
It's unfortunately not the case here. In this African journey, Bond visits Zanzarim, following pretty guides, feeling shocked by a ruthless mercenary, and commenting thoroughly everything he sees. Bond doesn't follow a lead. He's rather the journalist he is supposed to be as a cover : a perfect tourist in a world he's just discovering. So yes, Boyd is good as describing Nigeria and Biafra (or should I say Zanzarim and Dahum), but it doesn't bring a lot to the world of Bond. While it is entertaining to see Bond visiting a hotel for journalist, walking in the jungle, getting involved in local politics, witnessing massacres, and changing suits, drinking, eating and having sex, he seems lost in a war not his.
The second part in Washington is not better : Bond doesn't really goes 'solo' (without much reason by the way) : he's rather visiting what's happening in the world of NGO's and warlords with guns and secret IDs. In the end, 007 unveils a plot, Boyd tells us how bad and cynical the Western powers are toward Africa, Bond enjoys his drinks, and we just had a nice journey.
We'll have to come back for a real 007 adventure.
The problem with this not so surprising nor thrilling story is that it leaves us with Boyd's description of Bond's way of life, so much that it becomes at some point really repetitive.
I will keep this book on my shelf, but rather as a documentary on African civil wars, and especially as a great book for cooking : after all, each chapter's interest mainly lies in bond's recipes for food and cocktails.
I don't regret reading Solo, but I'll come by later if I want to read a real spy thriller.
The very idea is risible. As one who is old enough to have driven said vehicle when launched, I can tell you that they couldn't make it around the corner without terminal mechanical failure.
Unfortunately his choice of car is as bad as the book itself!
Your hammering on the Jensen car is about as daft as the discussion of 007 drinking beer in SF.
In the case of Jensen cars they are beautifull and absolutely not for the general audience which I presume is more or less the thought behind the car.
Even the guys from Top Gear were endeared towards the car. And I hardly would call them unknowledgable when it comes to cars?
The only decent Jensen ever produced was the iconic 541R.
The Interceptor was a dog from the get go and was the car that took them into bankruptcy. I picked one up in 1971 from a dealer in Darlington to deliver it to a hairdresser in Newcastle. A distance of about 30 miles. The journey took me six hours and not because I was lost - it broke down twice!
But your in good company because Boyd hasn't driven one either and it didn't stop him putting this crap car in his crap book.
As for Jezzer and the gang, would you seriously trust the opinion of a crew that dress like that?
I had a volvo like that, but the next one drove me for 10 years without a problem.
As for the folks of top gear, yes I would trust them on their knowledge and enjoy their shows a lot. And accept that they are really big 007 fans as well.
:)>-
And based on the fact that I like a diverse collection of novels increases my chance of liking it to 72%
:D
We'll see. :D
Reviewers that call SOLO representative of vintage Fleming are almost impossible to understand.
1. Incredibly serious Fleming purists will dislike it, but then they will normally dislike any Bond not written by Fleming.
2. Fleming fans have a good chance of enjoying it if they are not hardcore against little slip ups here & there.
3. Those merely acquainted with Fleming's Bond will enjoy it for what it is.
4. Movie Bond fans have a good chance of disliking it since it's not their usual Bond.
http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-10-07/barry-norman-meets-new-james-bond-author-william-boyd
Oh, contraband, then! :)