Tag: Ian Fleming

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

by Ian Fleming (Jonathan Cape, 1963); audiobook read by David Tennant (AudioGO, 2012)

Fleming_Her Majesty's Secret Service

Bond’s attitude to women remains unconscionable, but in other respects Fleming gives him a greater depth and vulnerability here than in other books (and certainly the films). The writing has refinement above its genre, and gains added respectability through David Tennant’s reading.

 

 

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!

Ian Fleming’s story of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! the Magical Car

adapted by Al Perkins; ill. B Tobey (Collins and Harvill, 1969)

Perkins_Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Lurking irresponsibly in the otherwise excellent Beginner Readers series, this gobsmacking tripe features a domestically lobotomised housewife and Fleming-modelled gung-ho husband. “Let’s blow up all this stuff,” said Jeremy. “That’s a fine idea,” said Mrs. Pott. “Then we can have our picnic.”