The Name's Templar, Simon Templar
So Leslie Charteris' 100th birthday came and went without too much fanfare. Now, on the occasion of Ian Fleming's 100th birthday, in an attempt to bring James Bond back to his roots, The Fleming Estate has commissioned Devil May Care, a new 007 adventure by literary novelist Sebastian Faulks "writing as Ian Fleming."
This new James Bond novel was published on Wednesday, the 100th anniversary of the birth of his creator, Ian Fleming, and as befits the British fictional superspy, the plot was kept top secret -- although its publisher said it is a return to the original Bond, after so many adaptations of the character on film.
"Devil May Care" was penned by the award-winning British novelist Sebastian Faulks at the request of the late author's family.
"The new novel is in the spirit of the original and very funny," said Faulks, whose favorite screen Bond was Sean Connery.
Faulks reportedly read many of the early Fleming novels in order to capture the spirit of James Bond, and write in the same manner and style as the original books. Early reports are that he has done just that, and we hope that the same treatment is given to The Saint!
Devil May Care is available in all these versions:
Labels: 2008, James Bond
4 Comments:
Having recently been to GB and was lucky enough to see the fleming exhibit at the Imperial war museum I can only say that the creator of a great fictional character is getting his due. I will read the new book....and look forward to a new Saint novel based on the new movie.
I think it would be great to see Burl Barer "writing as Leslie Charteris" again. As the Charteris Estate has said, "Burl really captured The Saint!"
I know for a fact that Burl has read The Saint books! :-)
Haing read Faulks DMC I can only say that I don't wish this on any writer being born 100 years ago. i have read in Burl Barers'book that there are some unpublished stories, I'd rather have any of them.
Burl is ready and willing to write more Saint adventures -- be they originals or adaptations of the new shows, old radio shows, or you name it. The only "Problem" is the current niche market for Saint stories, and the "wait and see" attitude of American publishers. They are waiting to see if the TV pilot leads to a series. If so, the Saint and I are in business.
As for original Saint novels by Burl Barer other than the well reviewed CAPTURE THE SAINT, soon to be re-released in a 3rd edition, The Saint in Las Vegas, based on a story concept suggested by Robt. S. Baker, is still in the first stages of development. A short story, similar to those found in Saint to the Rescue, THE TEAL BAIT, requires some polish before submission to the Estate.
Now, if you want to read an original Saint novella, with the names changed, you can buy it for 49cents at amazon.com
It's called THE TREASURE OF SIR THOMAS CONWAY.
Here is the backstory: Paramount hired me to write an orginal Saint story for their internet web site. The Estate however, had not given Paramount rights to do this, so the story never appeared. I rewrote the story (an old trick learned from Charteris) and simply changed the names and a few details. Now billed as a homage to the great gentleman crooks such as The Saint, it is now a Falcon Arcaio adventure (get it?)
Anyway, it began as a Saint story, so you will get a kick out of it...and for 49 cents, you can't go wrong.
Burl
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