By Sebastian Faulks writing as Ian Fleming
Reviewed by Ed Homa
With the release of DEVIL MAY CARE in paperback it seems like a good time to go back and have a look at the newest James Bond literary adventure.
After six years and a lot of hoopla Bond was back! 2002 was the last year that a new James Bond novel was released before DEVIL MAY CARE was published in 2008 in honor of the 100th anniversary of Ian Fleming’s birth.
It seems that Faulks followed the Bond formula. A villain and his nasty second – check; secret lair – check; a competition (tennis ) with the villain – check; a Bond girl – check. Faulks was to concerned with putting all of the Bond stuff in the book than writing a good thriller. The book is short, 278 pages and there are a handful of very padded sequences. I was left wanting a lot more from this book.
After reading the book I was left wondering if it was worth the wait or worth all of the publicity. I admit that I did have a smile on my face because I was reading a brand new James Bond book, but it was a lackluster adventure.
From the back of the paperback, “Bond is back in this electrifying new novel of intrigue and suspense. A masterful continuation of the James Bond legacy. DEVIL MAY CARE picks up right where Ian Fleming left off – at the height of the Cold War, with a story of unbearable tension.”
And as far as I am concerned that is a big problem. I don’t need, nor do I want a want-to-be Ian Fleming James Bond story. I disagree with everyone that says that Bond belongs in the Cold War. With the problems in today’s world – terrorism, pirates, international tension – there is a place for Bond in today’s world.
Give me something new, not a rehash and a copy of Ian Fleming!
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