The Man With the Golden Typewriter: Ian Fleming's James Bond Letters
The Domino Effect
Posts: 3,638MI6 Agent
Fantastic news for Fleming fans, his nephew Fergus Fleming has compiled a collection of his letters which will be published in November as "The Man With the Golden Typewriter: Ian Fleming's James Bond Letters." A collection of Fleming letters is long overdue and given Fergus Fleming's own talent as a writer and his family connections, this should be very good indeed. It can be pre-ordered now from Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Man-Golden-Typewriter-Flemings-Letters/dp/1632864894/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435672269&sr=8-1&keywords=the+man+with+the+golden+typewriter
Comments
Amen! That's something I'd been complaining about for a long time too. It made no sense that Ann's letters had been collected and published long ago and yet Ian's--just as entertaining and more culturally relevant--were neglected. A few years ago Roger Moore did a radio program where he read some of those letters and it was wonderful: Moore gave one of the warmest, best performances of his career, and Ian's letters came off as wonderfully charming and witty. This new book, which according to Amazon is 384 pages, truly sounds like an answered prayer. Definitely a must-buy!
Now asking me to order another version??????
I trying to get my hands on the French version ( yes, it's a dirty joke)
I have read all the major biographies of Fleming (Lycett, Pearson, Gilbert...and to which I believe must also be included Matthew Parker's recent 'Goldeneye') plus many of the lesser-known biographies - and even 'pulp non-fictions' on him! - and would absolutely add this collection of Fleming letters to the must-read list. Although the previous biographies have all provided excellent information and in-depth details on Ian Fleming's personal and professional lives, Fergus Fleming's annotated compilation of correspondence goes the furthest to provide an insight into what Fleming the person was really like. It also provides some great details on the creation and development of Bond, of Fleming's continuous doubts about the character and his own ability to continue creating new adventures for him.
From everything I had previously read, I was never sure whether I would have liked Fleming had I met him, but these letters show him to have often been a warm and kind person. This is evident not only in the wonderful letters he wrote to fans (and detractors alike), but also the kindness he expressed to friends and professional acquaintances, including the good grace with which he took Cyril Connolly's "Bond Strikes Camp" parody.
Perhaps one of the most interesting tidbits for me was his admission in a letter to Ann that he had had a thoroughly enjoyable time at Goldeneye when Truman Capote came to stay. Two more dissimilar sorts locked together in a tropical cabin I can't imagine!
I hate to find something else for everyone to spend their money on, but this simply is a must-read for Fleming aficionados. Fortunately, it is at least coming out in paperback this week!
Think you have inspired me to grab it off the shelf this weekend!
Sorry ggl007, yes I do mean Gilbert's bibliography. Although an unbelievably comprehensive bibliography, it contains a huge amount of biographical details on Fleming some of which I hadn't read elsewhere before.
A nice write-up on the book I just saw on facebook
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Excellent review and one with which I completely agree.
By the way, I also have a review for TMWTGT: http://www.archivo007.com/index.php/otros-medios/articulos/libros-y-comics/1989-the-man-with-the-golden-typewriter Well, yes, it's in Spanish but I assure you the book is great!
I had a go at your review using my limited Spanish (most commonly limited to "hello", "thank you" and "10 more beers please"!) and it sounds as though you were struck by the exact same things as I was: his kindness with fans and critics, his interactions with his publishers, and his correspondence with Geoffrey Boothroyd etc. It really is a great book and far more interesting than I had expected.
You perfectly understand the most of it. I really like his interactions with the fans, even with a John Goodwin (James Bond Club in Oxford??) who was invited to go to the FRWL filming! Amazing open guy, Ian Fleming.