Author of 'Moneypenny Diaries' interviewed

zencatzencat Studio City, CAPosts: 224MI6 Agent
edited October 2005 in James Bond Literature
Check it out, gang. I interviewed Samantha Weinberg (aka Kate Westbrook), the author of The Moneypenny Diaries.

This is a very well done novel and a worthy James Bond adventure (yes, Bond is a major character throughout).

Sorry for spamming AJB with yet another CBN link, but I think this is one to read if you're at all curious about this book:

http://commanderbond.net/index.php?action=Story&SID=2983

:)
www.thebookbond.com - New Look. New Book. Pure BOND.

Comments

  • asioasio Melbourne, AustraliaPosts: 546MI6 Agent
    Qudos to you on the interview, Zencat.
    Do you know when this novel is going to be released in Australia?
    I would like to pick up a copy.
    Drawn Out Dad.
    Independent, one-shot comic books from the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia.
    twitter.com/DrawnOutDad
  • zencatzencat Studio City, CAPosts: 224MI6 Agent
    edited October 2005
    Thanks asio.

    Looks like it's already out in Australia in a pareback version (most likey an international trade edition):
    http://www.dymocks.com.au/ContentDynamic/Full_Details.asp?ISBN=0719567416
    www.thebookbond.com - New Look. New Book. Pure BOND.
  • asioasio Melbourne, AustraliaPosts: 546MI6 Agent
    Qudos again, Zencat!
    I will go to Dymocks and see if I can buy it today. :)
    Drawn Out Dad.
    Independent, one-shot comic books from the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia.
    twitter.com/DrawnOutDad
  • i expect u2 diei expect u2 die LondonPosts: 583MI6 Agent
    edited October 2005
    I certainly like the author's responses, they seem very wise (especially when telling us how she came to call Moneypenny 'Jane').

    However, the idea of Bond and Moneypenny 'joining forces' in the cuban missile crisis sound a little gimicky. Zencat, is this a respectably Bondian book, rather than the 'chick-flick' the cover seems to promote?
  • zencatzencat Studio City, CAPosts: 224MI6 Agent
    I certainly like the author's responses, they seem very wise (especially when telling us how she came to call Moneypenny 'Jane').

    However, the idea of Bond and Moneypenny 'joining forces' in the cuban missile crisis sound a little gimicky. Zencat, is this a respectably Bondian book, rather than the 'chick-flick' the cover seems to promote?

    I also was worried about this aspect, but when if gets to that point in the book, you're sold. I don't think the cover does this book justice because it really is a very respectable Bond continuation novel, just done in a different way. One thing I love is we finally get a "new" Bond adventure set in the 1960s. I've wanted that for some time.
    www.thebookbond.com - New Look. New Book. Pure BOND.
  • zencatzencat Studio City, CAPosts: 224MI6 Agent
  • Willie GarvinWillie Garvin Posts: 1,412MI6 Agent
    zencat wrote:


    Wow...if Joanna Lumley's pleased with this novel, then that makes it good enough for me.:)

    Kidding aside,this book looks great--the jacket art is very much in the Chopping style.I know that Ms.Weinberg is an Ian Fleming fan who respects his novels and her books aren't designed to be radical departures from what he'd established.

    When will The Moneypenny Diaries make their way to the United States?

    And by all means Zencat, "spam away" whenever you please!Information like this is much too good not to share and we're all glad you did.;)
  • zencatzencat Studio City, CAPosts: 224MI6 Agent
    edited September 2006
    Thanks, Willie. Never too sure if people want all this lit Bond news or not so I don't want to overdue it. Certainly all our attention is on Casino Royale at the moment. But my own fandom has always been equally divided between the lit Bond and movie Bond. I think movie news is well handled by you and others. But this lit news can slip past un-noticed, so...
    www.thebookbond.com - New Look. New Book. Pure BOND.
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 26,417Chief of Staff
    zencat wrote:

    Thanks from me too, zencat.

    I'm currently reading the first book - The Moneypenny Diaries, on the advice from other members of this site - which I'm really enjoying !
    YNWA 97
  • zencatzencat Studio City, CAPosts: 224MI6 Agent
    My pleasure, Sir Miles. Enjoy the book. :)
    www.thebookbond.com - New Look. New Book. Pure BOND.
  • leongpcleongpc Posts: 38MI6 Agent
    the first book is great. and i'm now eagerly awaiting the second one. i personally like the cover designs too (plus the upcoming one). simple and yet gives you a sense of nostalgia feel. after this trilogy, they can go on to 'found - the secret diary of tracy (mrs bond)'. from the viewpoint of tracy, her messed up life, how she found bond or bond found her and gave her a new meaning to life etc etc. the last page of the book will be her last entry in her diary ie the eve of her wedding day. we all know the sad tragic ending.
  • zencatzencat Studio City, CAPosts: 224MI6 Agent
    Not a bad idea there, leongpc. :)
    www.thebookbond.com - New Look. New Book. Pure BOND.
  • Willie GarvinWillie Garvin Posts: 1,412MI6 Agent
    edited October 2006
    Admiral Sir Miles Messervey's adventures when he was a young man working behind enemy lines in the Great War might also make interesting reading.Who knows--maybe one of his colleagues was Richard Hannay, with the others being Hugh Drummond and John Clayton...
  • Johnny DangerJohnny Danger Savannah, GA USAPosts: 60MI6 Agent
    Why aren't the "Moneypenny Diaries" available in the USA yet? I am very eager to read them!
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 26,417Chief of Staff
    zencat wrote:
    My pleasure, Sir Miles. Enjoy the book. :)

    I've just finished the first book - so I'm a slow reader, shoot me :))

    What a great read. This book really shouldn't work, in fact half of me didn't want it to work, but it does. I'm looking forward to the second novel now and I hope there is more after that.
    YNWA 97
  • zencatzencat Studio City, CAPosts: 224MI6 Agent
    edited October 2006
    Well, Sir Miles, if you liked the first book and are looking forward to the second, here's a little surprise treat for you in-between!

    New Bond-Moneypenny Short Story in November Tatler
    www.thebookbond.com - New Look. New Book. Pure BOND.
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 26,417Chief of Staff
    zencat wrote:
    Well, Sir Miles, if you liked the first book and are looking forward to the second, here's a little surprise treat for you in-between!

    New Bond-Moneypenny Short Story in November Tatler

    Why thanks, zencat - and it's not even Christmas yet :))
    YNWA 97
  • jetsetwillyjetsetwilly Liverpool, UKPosts: 1,048MI6 Agent
    Well, I bought and read the story this afternoon (a word of warning; it contains a number of articles written by people with the surname Parker-Bowles) and so I thought I'd post my thoughts.

    The plot:
    1956: Bond and Moneypenny travel to Royale-Les-Eaux, and get Bond's usual suite. It appears that they are here on a romantic tryst, but in fact Bond is here to assasinate a double agent. He and Moneypenny simulate lovemaking after a dinner at the Hotel Splendide, and he slips out, leaving her behind to commit the murder with a tape recording of their antics.

    My overall thought is that it's too brief; the whole thing is only three pages long and could happily have been expanded. The end feels rushed and is over with before we can really get any feeling of tension. My criticisms of it are the same as those I had of the novel; it's too keen to mention Bond's past escapades, and we have the question of why is Moneypenny, of all people, there? But as with the novel, it's nicely written, and character filled. And the double bluff is mischevious and welcome. Roll on Secret Servant!
    Founder of the Wint & Kidd Appreciation Society.

    @merseytart
  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,686MI6 Agent
    It's all a bit Mills & Boon, isn't it? I keep reading bits of the book, extracts and this short story and I'm still not sure who they're trying to sell this to.
  • jetsetwillyjetsetwilly Liverpool, UKPosts: 1,048MI6 Agent
    emtiem wrote:
    It's all a bit Mills & Boon, isn't it? I keep reading bits of the book, extracts and this short story and I'm still not sure who they're trying to sell this to.

    I thought exactly the same thing (see http://www.ajb007.co.uk/index.php?topic=26368 for an overview of my thoughts on the matter) but when I actually read it, I was extremely impressed by it. I guess it depends on what you want from a Bond novel; it's certainly not been written for people who want a relentless rollercoaster of action and violence. The tone is far more introspective.

    As an aside, I've just read the interview with Lucien Freud (one of my favourite artists) in the same magazine, and he mentions Anne Rothermere as an acquaintance. I take my Bond references wherever I can ;)
    Founder of the Wint & Kidd Appreciation Society.

    @merseytart
  • diVicenzodiVicenzo Posts: 24MI6 Agent
    Just out of curiosity, why is one of The Moneypenny Diaries called 'Guardian Angel' and another called 'Intended For Her Eyes Only'??:)
Sign In or Register to comment.