James Bond: The Authorised BiographyJohn Pearson
Arrow Books £8.99
This is a cute idea - a biography of a man who never was, the history of a myth. It was originally written as a spoof but Glidrose, the Bond copyright owners were so taken with it that they threw their weight behind it and it is now considered part of the canon. The book even has a shared copyright (C) John Pearson and Glidrose Publications.
There is much debate between fans over whether this book should be considered canon. Many people point out that it can not be considered canon since it contradicts official Bond works, specifically Charlie Higson's young Bond books. That, to my mind is folly, since if any of the continuation novels are not canon then it is the Young Bond titles that fit the most uneasily with Fleming's original creation. I know the young BOND books are popular and do much to interest younger readers in the character but to my mind this book is much more deserving of being sat alongside the master's original books.
The premise of
this book is that Bond is based on a real MI6 agent - something that Fleming hinted at in the novel, You Only Live Twice - Bond's obituary in that novel states that his adventures were the basis for a series of sensational novels. A retired James Bond is found living in Jamaica and the book is set out as his life story, as related by the real James Bond. The conceit works wonderfully and is essential reading for any Bond fan or merely someone wanting to know more about this creation.James Bond belongs alongside the likes of Sherlock Holmes and Dracula as fictional characters who have somehow been given life and become real in the imaginations of successive generations of readers.
1 comment:
I read this when it was first published and remember liking it. I might have to dig it out and re-read it.
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