Thunderball

I learned thanks to the Facebook page of Ian Fleming that yesterday was the anniversary of the publication of Thunderball. The book has a special place in my heart. First, it is the source material for one of my favourite James Bond movies, then it is the very first Bond novel I purchased and read. The very edition you see on this picture. It also marks the first apperance of Bond nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld, one of my favourite villains ever, head of SPECTRE (Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extorsion). Let not the movies and their many parodies fool you: in the original novels, the organisation is almost inhumanly sinister. I want to revisit Thunderball one day, I suggest you give the novel a try in the meantime.

From Russia With Love

As I am reading spy fiction for this year's #Noirvember, it just struck me that some James Bond novels would be really suitable for it. And more enjoyable than what I'm reading, as Ian Fleming is a genuinely good writer. He writes more colourful and itneresting characters, in any case. Anyway, one of the Bond novels I would suggest for Noirvember would be From Russia With Love, which may be one of Fleming's darkest. Not to spoil anything, but its ending is dramatic and very different than one you would expect if you have only seen the movies. It's borderline Noir. Oh and, on a side note, for train afficionados like myself, a fairly lenghty portion of the action is set on the Orient Express. That last point is not Noirvember relevant, but it just makes the novel even cooler.

Spies for hire

Oh the algorithms of the internet really make me discover things. So I recently stumbled upon this article on Politico, saying that London now is booming with private security firms, with former secret agents (and ex military, and former police officers) now working in the private sector. In other words, there are now such things as spy companies. This is not entirely surprising to me, I kinda knew it existed since I read this novel. Still, I didn't suspect there were so many of them. Apparently, the aura London has thanks to a certain fictitious British spy did play a role in the developement of this new intelligence industry. I'm not sure I like it: I find it worrying that former secret agents switch their loyalty from a nation and a country to a company, or their own bank account. Eespecially since the industry is at the moment irregulated. That does not bode well for democracy. Nevertheless, I can see the dramatic potential for the witing of spy thrillers. Because sometimes I think like a writer.

Denis Villeneuve for Bond 26!

 Oh what great news for the proud Québec nationalist and the die hard James Bond fan that I am: Québec director Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond movie. At last, some genuine good (not to mention reassuring) news about the production of Bond 26. Apparently he is also a die hard fan. In any case, Villeneuve is a serious, competent director with enough authority and discipline to keep control of such a massive production, and hopefully resisting the pressure from Amazon. Also, it means that now the script can be developed and in due time the casting can get started. So things will finally get in motion for my favourite movie franchise. And hey, let's not forget: a Quebecker will be at the helm of a Bond movie.

007 First Light

You know I'm a  James Bond fan, from the movies as well as the original books by Ian Fleming. With (shudder) Amazon taking over the Bond franchise and taking creative control, I often despair, doubting I will ever see my favourite hero any time soon on film, and very skeptical they can do him justice. That said, I got cautiously optimistic when I saw the teaser for the videogame 007 First Light. I generally don't play videogames, but this one seems to be getting at least a few things right: Bond's past and the death of his parents, for instance, as well as his scar, a signature in the novels. Sure, they may seem superficial, but it seems that the creators have done their homework. Now I don't own a PlayStation and I may never play the game, but it's nice to know it is being made. You can see the teaser below, in any case. Tell me what you think.

The New C of SIS/MI6

There is a bit of news, not already getting old news, which I have been wanting to blog on. As you know, I like a good bit of spy fiction, albeit I don't read as much spy fiction as crime fiction. But yeah, I do enjoy it. Anyway, I learned recently that SIS, also known as MI6, has a new C. Which is the real life equivalent of M in James Bond movies (and books! Never forget that they were books before). And for the first time in its history, it is a woman, Blaise Metreweli. The Bond films had already started the trend in 1995. But what really struck me reading about her is her age: she is only a few months younger than me! Ouch! Moral of the story: some people just get cool careers, even if they are civil servants.

Piz Gloria exists

 'Tis the season to be... spying? Those who have been following this blog for a while may know that one of my favourite James Bond novels and one of my favourite Christmas novels (as in, set during Christmas) is  of On Her Majesty's Secret Service . I try to revisit it every year, not read the full thing, but some chapters from it, just to get me in a darker seasonal mood. Anyway, I was reminded recently that Piz Gloria, the headquarters of Blofeld in both the book and the film, does exist. They even have an official website. Okay, so it was constructed with the help of the movie's funding, and thus did not exist when Ian Fleming wrote his novel, but still. I hope I can go there one day, on a Bondian pilgrimage. Probably not during Christmastime, but one can dream.

I saw an Aston Martin

 Well, as the title says. Yesterday, I saw an Aston Martin. We were coming back from a petting zoo, there was a car haead of us, it pulled into a driveway. I didn't recognise it at first, but right before it turned, I saw the name. And that was it, that was my encounter with the classic car. Of course, I know it because of  James Bond, especially Goldfinger. It was not the classic model, or indeed any I have seen in movies. The Aston Martin I saw did not look like a luxury car. All the same, it felt pretty cool seeing one "live", I mean not in a museum or on display in an exhibition, but being driven in a town close to home. So yes, it made my day.

Goldfinger for Spy Wednesday

 Today is Holy Wednesday, also called, more dramatically... Spy Wednesday. I prefer to call it the latter. It has nothing to do with real spies or spy fiction, however I take this opportunity to mention that a few days ago, last Saturday, was the 65th anniversary of the publication of Goldfinger. I learned about it on the official Facebook page of Ian Fleming. To celebrate its publication, they are selling a couple of cool fancy stuff, go check it out. I just thought the novel is a fitting read for Spy Wednesday. The film would make a great watch too, come to think of it, especially if you are not into Biblical things or fluffy bunny stuff. Butgive the novel a try.

ATJ as James Bond?

 I am late commenting on it and, as I am typing this the night before this post will be published, I am also share some views that will be proven innaccurate when you will read it. But anyway, as you probably heard, actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been rumoured to be the next James Bond. According to some sources, it is a done deal, or almost. I, like many Bond fans, am skeptical about the news. For a number of reasons: as far as we know, there is, as far as we know, no script and no director. The casting of the main actor would start once this has been sorted, not before. So I think it is a rumour that has been blown out of proportions, although it is very likely that ATJ is among the potential candidates for the role, should there be auditions in the near future. As for the actor himself, I don't know him much to give a full appreciation of his skills. I think if nothing else, he has the right look and age. However, I find his voice too high. But a proper audition would determine that. And of course, whatever happens and whoever is cast, I will be watching the next Bond movie. And you, what do you think of this rumour?

MI6: facts from fiction

 I recently stumbled on this BBC article, which is an interview of a real employee of SIS, also known as MI6. It remains very vague, but it is quite interesting all the same. Of course, the real spies live in the shadow of James Bond and it seems that people still use the fiction as staple for their perception of MI6. As much as I love James Bond movies, I still think there is room for more realistic spy thrillers out there. I have watched and read a few, which I blogged about in the past. I hope this article and others like this one will inspire writers to write different kind of stories featuring SIS. Oh but for the record, I will still eagerly watch the next Bond movie.

James Bond for January (and a thrilling cover)

 I found this image on the official Facebook page of Ian Fleming, back in January 2020. Right before the pandemic. They were suggesting to cure the January blues by reading a Bond novel, more specifically Moonraker. This cover is from the 2012 vintage edition and I just love it. Both soberly elegant and ominous. A truly classic cover for a classic hero. Anyway, the original novel is so much superior to the film and would make for an excellent read this month. even though it's set in August (if I'm not mistaken).

James Bond for #Noirvember?

You know my love for James Bond, both the films and the novels. You may also know that On Her Majesty's Secret Service  ismy favourite James Bond novel. It is one of my favourite Christmas reads, but it struck me that it could also be used for #Noirvember. Because it is one of Ian Fleming's most tragic novels, but also because only a portion (albeit a large one) is set during Christmastime. This quote form the novel suits perfectly the month: there is beauty, but we know evil lurks.

James Bond in/for July

I found this image on the official Facebook page of Ian Fleming.It is taken from Diamonds Are Forever. Not my favourite James Bond novel by far, more crime fiction than spy thriller, but it had its moments. And the movie was way, way worse. And I always enjoy a period piece crime or spy fiction novel in any case. Anyway, I am sharing the picture and the quote today for no better reason that it mentions late July and this is late July. If you want to read a novel this time of year, Diamonds Are Forever might be the right one for you.

James Bond and his martini

I was reminded thanks to the official Facebook page of Ian Fleming that today is his birthday. It was also, back in April, the 70th anniversary of the publication of of Casino Royal. The first adventure of James Bond. To celebrate, I share a picture from the FB page, which includes a quote from the novel, giving you the recipe for Bond's classic martini.

The James Bond... Bingo?

 I blogged last Friday about a board game based on the universe of James Bond. Well, it's not the only game available based on my favourite spy: during one of my visits to the local bookshop I stumbled upon... the James Bond Bingo Game. As much as I am a 007 fan, I don't really like bingo and this looks like a very silly derived product, so I resisted temptation and I did not buy it. Nice box though, with the classic gunbarrel. And I might pay more attention in the future to what kind of games our bookshop sells.

SPECTRE: the board game

You know I'm a fan of James Bond, both the novels and the films. Well, I learned not long ago that there was a board game based on the films that was being made: SPECTRE: The Board Game. You play an agent of the nefarious terrorist organisation. That sounds like a lot of fun. It will be released in August-September, but you can pre-order now. It looks absoluely gorgeous and I love board games, but at £50.00, given that I don't have many occasions to play to the games I have, I might ask for it for Christmas or my birthday or something.

The birth of James Bond

So I suggested today a spy thriller to read. And I now feel very silly, because the official Facebook page of Ian Fleming (where I took the picture above) reminded me that today is the 69th anniversary of the publication of Casino Royal. Which makes it the effective birthday of James Bond.That would have been a more fitting reading suggestion. In any case, I want to celebrate it here. And on a side note: what is your favourite book cover?

Janus in GoldenEye

Something struck me recently about January: it is named after the Roman God Janus. It is also the codename or nom de guerre of the main villain in the James Bond movie GoldenEye. The very first I watched in cinema (but I was a Bond fan before). So maybe, just maybe, GoldenEye should be my Bond movie to start January. Anyway, spoiler alert, you find below the scene where Janus' true identity is reveals and he meets 007. You will also find out how he got that name. I love these quiet moments in Bond movies, they are full of atmosphere. This one is still chilling and stands out very well after more than 25 years.

Christmas Spy Thriller

Merry Christmas everyone! As 'Tis still the season to be reading, I thought I would give everyone one last Christmas readint suggestion. I suggested it before and more than once, but every Christmastime I revisit it. I suggest it today for another reason: it is a spy thriller with an uncannily topical plot. I am talking of course of On Her Majesty's Secret Service by Ian Fleming. Maybe my favourite James Bond and favourite Christmas novel. On the track of archenemy Ernst Stavro Blofeld James Bond falls upon a conspiracy that involves biological warfare (when I said it was topical), the destruction of livestock (including Christmas turkeys) and heraldry. There's Blofeld as a murderous Krampus with a dash of King Herod reigning over his hideout of Piz Gloria in Switzerland, beautiful angels of death, hypnotherapy, Eros, Thanatos (in other words: sex and violence), blood on snow, a sort of Census and Bond finds love and loss with the Contessa Teresa di Vincenzo. So today, if you have time, instead of watching a movie, I suggest you snuggled up in a warm blanket, have a drink of something alcoholic (not necessarily a martini)and read this.