36 replies to this topic

[Wilbs]

I can't recall where I heard it, but I seem to remember some time ago hearing that Kingsley Amis planned a 'prequel' 007 story set before the events in Casino Royale, and that he even began writing it, but quit as copyright issues and Anne Fleming stopped the continuation novels (for a while).

Has anyone heard of this, or was it just a silly rumour?

[DLibrasnow]

He did write a story (or at least a treatment) with a younger James Bond but when he showed it to Glidrose they forbid him from publishing it.

[Wilbs]

Now that is interesting. I'd be curious to know what it had in it!

[DLibrasnow]

Me too....I read about it in an interview with Kingsley Amis some years ago.

[Wilbs]

I wonder if it had some sort of world war 2 component, as Bond's wartime career was hinted at a few times by Fleming? Fleming's 007 was a veteran (although I guess Gardner & Benson's versions are clearly too young for that). That would have been interesting, but may not have been wanted when Connery was establishing a younger version of the character on screen at the same time.

Still, the thought of a younger 007 is intriguing.

[DLibrasnow]

If memory serves me correctly I think the story had James Bond as member of the Royal Navy (ie pre-MI6).

[Wilbs]

Ah-ha!

Fleming's WW2 career had a lot to do with the intelligence commandos of 30th Assault Unit. So perhaps it was a yarn with a younger 007 fighting the nazis. Would have been good then.

[deth]

that would have been great....


question: Is Colonel Sun a good book?

.....I have it on reserve in the Library... going to pick it up soon....

[DLibrasnow]

I think so....Surely though we are not the only two CBNers who are aware of this. My memory is a little sketchy on the precise details I just remember thinking what an interesting idea it was...

Does anyone else know any of the particulars???

[Wilbs]

Whilst we're on the subject of 007's youth, this site on 30th Assault Unit may interest some;

http://www30.brinkst...100/History.asp

You can see some Fleming inspiration in this commando unit, I think. The the thought of a younger RN Bond fighting WW2 with this bunch would work for me.

[Blue Eyes]

I have heard of the younger James Bond, yes.

Another idea always attributed to Amis is the death of Bond at an old age. I believe it was off the edge of a waterfall, ala Sherlock Holmes. Again, Glidrose barred it. That could be, or course, just a Bond Urban Myth.

[Qwerty]

Originally posted by deth
that would have been great....


question: Is Colonel Sun a good book?

.....I have it on reserve in the Library... going to pick it up soon....

Yes, deth, it's a pretty good one. I know of many people who call it the best non-Fleming Bond novel, now I don't agree with that, but it is still one of the better ones. Enjoy!

[clinkeroo]

I'm one of those people Qwerty just mentioned, and I'm sure Loomis will be chiming in soon on this one as well. I seem to remember that Amis approached them a few years after CS had been published, which would put it after Glidrose had also shot down Jenkin's Per Fine Ounce.

[DLibrasnow]

Originally posted by Qwerty


Yes, deth, it's a pretty good one. I know of many people who call it the best non-Fleming Bond novel,  

I would agree with that assessment!

[Loomis]

Originally posted by clinkeroo

I'm one of those people Qwerty just mentioned, and I'm sure Loomis will be chiming in soon on this one as well.  

For me, "Colonel Sun" is not only the best non-Fleming novel (by far) - it's one of the very best Bond novels, full stop. I'd rank "You Only Live Twice" as number one, with "Colonel Sun" coming a close second.

[DLibrasnow]

Wow, that is a ringing endorsement!! I am not sure I would rank Colonel Sun above the likes of OHMSS, FRWL and MR.

[Wilbs]

I can see I need to read Colonel Sun now....!

[Matt O'S oo4]

The notion of a Bond origin film/story/book (whatever) does have some serious areas of interest for me.

Some serious concerns as well.

Fairly recent films, such as I Spy and Wild, Wild West pretty much blew the whole concept by trying to make the films the "first time they meet" scenarios. Eeeeeoooooo. Boy, did they stink. Not because they didn't make an effort, the story just plain loused it up.

However, we are not talking about a 'buddy' film here. The notion has definate possibilities. I would be very interested in knowing some of the ideas / stories that would be used to create the "foundation" of who James Bond is and why he became the man he became.

Sounds like a Batman film, doesn't it.

Perhaps a bit more drama and a little less action than we might want ON any film with the James Bond stamp on it.

What say?

004

[DLibrasnow]

Originally posted by Matt O'S. (oo4)
The notion of a Bond origin film/story/book (whatever) does have some serious areas of interest for me.

Me too....the fanfic I am working on features a pre-MI6 James Bond.

[zencat]

This is the first I've ever heard about this.

Oh to get into the vaults of Glidrose...

[Atticus17F]

I thought John Pearson's "Authorised Biography of 007" did quite a decent job of detailing Bond's early years.

[DLibrasnow]

Originally posted by zencat
This is the first I've ever heard about this.

I find that very hard to believe given your vast knowledge of James Bond!

[zencat]

I'm surprised as well, DLib. The only "prequel" story I've ever heard was a movie treatment by Wilson and co in '86 (Cubby nixed the idea and they did TLD instead).

Where exactly did people read this?

[DLibrasnow]

I read about back in the 1980s and for the life of me cannot remember where. All I remember is thinking it sounded like a great idea and what a shame it was the Glidrose had prohibited Amis from publishing it.

[Qwerty]

Originally posted by Wilbs
I can see I need to read Colonel Sun now....!

Yes, as you can see, many people on this site alone call it one of the best, me included. However, the first time I read it, I was unimpressed, probably because I was just getting into the Bond novels and didn't appreciate it fully, but after repeated readings, I've come to like it very much and I hope you do too!

[zencat]

I'm beginning to think Colonel Sun is a bit overrated.

[Loomis]

Originally posted by zencat

I'm beginning to think Colonel Sun is a bit overrated.  

How come?

[DLibrasnow]

Yeah, why do you say that zencat?!

[Loomis]

I bet if Raymond Benson's name was on it you'd consider it the best of the Bond novels.

[DLibrasnow]

Gawd! Is Zencat one of those people??