64 replies to this topic

[zencat]

This is a real source of pride. IFP granted CBn the first interview with 'Moneypenny Diaries' author Samantha Weinberg (aka Kate Westbrook) and she gave us some dynamite answers and insights into this very well-done book. Check it out:

The Samantha Weinberg CBn Interview
The author behind the pseudonym 'Kate Westbrook' talks to CBn about 'The Moneypenny Diaries'

[Athena007]

Ok hand over that book zencat... my turn to read it! I'm looking forward to delving into it's pages even more now.

[box]Quote from the interview: "...when I read about it on CBn (yes, I

[K1Bond007]

Good interview. Kind of interested in reading it now. Is this ever going to be released state-side (possible relase date?) or should I consider just spending a few extra for shipping from Amazon.co.uk?

[TheSaint]

I wasn't planning on getting this book but, once I read the part in the interview where it's mentioned that Bond isn't 007's name, that cinched it for me. Let's see-the IFP is putting out books on Moneypenny & young Bond but, not actual Bond. Well done guys!

[Righty007]

I'll get this if it's released in the States. I only like to read American editions of books.

[Athena007]

I wasn't planning on getting this book but, once I read the part in the interview where it's mentioned that Bond isn't 007's name, that cinched it for me.  Let's see-the IFP is putting out books on Moneypenny & young Bond but, not actual Bond. Well done guys!

Have you thought about this though... what if the name Bond is only a "name to protect the innocent". His name is James, his number is still 007, he's still a commander... he's still "James Bond". So considering that I don't understand your logic in being against reading this book because Bond isn't 007's name. Seems like a scapegoat.

I'll get this if it's released in the States. I only like to read American editions of books.

Righty... LOL... you're such a whack. If that's the case what do you think about reading the American edition of Silverfin which is missing chunks of text which were in Higson's original manuscript? Plus a lot of things from Fleming's original works were not included in many of the American editions.

[Righty007]

I'm a patriot. Those missing chunks don't bother me. Since they're missing, I don't know what I'm missing.

[Qwerty]

or should I consider just spending a few extra for shipping from Amazon.co.uk?

Hell yes! I've started the book finally (would have earlier, but had another one to finish) and love it. Very good so far! Hopefully I can get a review on the forums later once I have finished with it.

This interview is great, and it's cool to finally have a face with the name. [Psst. She should sign up and stop being a lurker. ] I encourage everyone who hasn't yet to get this book.

[Bondian]

A very interesting interview.

I agree. You really must sign up 'Sam'. Why be a lurker when you can mingle with some of the best James Bond cranks on the web. Oh, and the odd Monty Python sketch.

Congrats to Sam, and CBn.

Cheers,


M. Penny.

[clinkeroo]

I'm as Yankie-Doodle as they come, but give me my Brit first editions! Wasn't crazy about the whole Bond not being "Bond" bit; smacks of everything I couldn't stand about Pearson's 007 Bio. But they lady does know her Fleming, and her literary Bond, I'll find it facinating how she decided to "fill in the holes" between OHMSS and YOLT. Those two "flubbed missions" have always held interest for me.

[TheSaint]

Have you thought about this though... what if the name Bond is only a "name to protect the innocent". His name is James, his number is still 007, he's still a commander... he's still "James Bond". So considering that I don't understand your logic in being against reading this book because Bond isn't 007's name. Seems like a scapegoat.

Let's see if you can follow this logic...if the name Bond is only a name to protect the innocent, then that means this isn't James Bond so, why do I care? His name is James Bond in the Fleming, Amis, Gardner, Benson, and, God help me, Higson books. It's not a code name, nor a name to protect the innocent. Once it becomes that, he's no longer the real deal so, why spend my hard earned cash on such a product? God, this is so not a good time to be a Bond fan, literary or filmwise. Thank heavens for the Titan strip reprints.

[Qwerty]

I'm a patriot. Those missing chunks don't bother me. Since they're missing, I don't know what I'm missing.

Oh, but being such a Young Bond fan Chris, you should definitely opt for the UK version.

[Trident]

Now, after reading the interview (and thanks to CBn for that fine piece) I'm convinced that I have to get the book. I didn't originally plan to buy it but I feel the lady really didn't do such a bad job. OK, I hate the idea that Bond isn't Bond like Clinkeroo but I shall just skip that part.

Again thanks to CBn! Great job!

And Mrs. Weinberg, please do sign up. It's real fun here!

[K1Bond007]

Wasn't crazy about the whole Bond not being "Bond" bit; smacks of everything I couldn't stand about Pearson's 007 Bio.

Agreed.

[Trident]

Wasn't crazy about the whole Bond not being "Bond" bit; smacks of everything I couldn't stand about Pearson's 007 Bio.

Agreed.

Maybe it's just a statement to keep the opposition off the track of Bond?

[zencat]

Let's see if you can follow this logic...if the name Bond is only a name to protect the innocent, then that means this isn't James Bond so, why do I care? His name is James Bond in the Fleming, Amis, Gardner, Benson, and, God help me, Higson books. It's not a code name, nor a name to protect the innocent. Once it becomes that, he's no longer the real deal so, why spend my hard earned cash on such a product? God, this is so not a good time to be a Bond fan, literary or filmwise. Thank heavens for the Titan strip reprints.

Man, you guys are heat seeking missiles programmed to find a negative to zero in on it so you can obliterate any semblance of what might be positive in the near vicinity.

He's a Commander, his name is James, his number is 007, he reports to M, he battled Dr. No and Goldfinger, everything that Fleming wrote about really happened...except to protect his identity Fleming made one change; he took the name "Bond" from Birds of the West Indies and substituted it with a name we will never know. This makes 007 forever the man in silhouette.

It's FUN.

[Trident]

Ok, I'll still enjoy the novel. Really sounds like fun to me.

[TheSaint]

Man, you guys are heat seeking missiles programmed to find a negative to zero in on it so you can obliterate any semblance of what might be positive in the near vicinity.

He's a Commander, his name is James, his number is 007, he reports to M, he battled Dr. No and Goldfinger, everything that Fleming wrote about really happened...except to protect his identity Fleming made one change; he took the name "Bond" from Birds of the West Indies and substituted it with a name we will never know. This makes 007 forever the man in silhouette.

It's FUN. 

No, it's not.

I know you're not happy about all the negativity going on here, and I've tried not to let Craig have it with both barrels but, I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel, with the exception of the strip reprints.

I wonder how Benson feels about this. They pull the plug on his books, then decide "Let's do young Bond books to cash in on Pottermania!" and "Let's do a Moneypenny series that is similar to the Pearson Bond bio to cash in on the huge demand for such a series."

[Athena007]

But that has nothing to do with the content of "The Moneypenny Diaries" alone... it has to do with the satisfaction or dissatisfaction one has with where the whole world of James Bond is right now. If you'd like to discuss that subject please feel free to start its own thread, or I will split off the posts in this thread for you so that conversation can continue and this thread can get back on proper topic.

[hrabb04]

The emotional and physical state of our man oo7 during 1962-1963 will be a very interesting read. I cannot find this on amazon. When will it released here in the states?

[K1Bond007]

He's a Commander, his name is James, his number is 007, he reports to M, he battled Dr. No and Goldfinger, everything that Fleming wrote about really happened...except to protect his identity Fleming made one change; he took the name "Bond" from Birds of the West Indies and substituted it with a name we will never know. This makes 007 forever the man in silhouette.

It's FUN. 

All I'm saying is I'm not crazy about it. I hated that hint of Bond being real and Fleming being aknowledged in You Only Live Twice. I hate the idea of Pearson's authorised biography, and I'm not liking the whole pseudonym deal either. I hardly fault Weinberg for that (3 year old input: Fleming started it!) or the book since it in all likelyhood plays a minor role. I'll just roll my eyes like I did Fleming and keep on reading.

[clinkeroo]

The emotional and physical state of our man oo7 during 1962-1963 will be a very interesting read.  I cannot find this on amazon.  When will it released here in the states?

I'm not sure, but I am liking Amazon.com.uk's perfect partner deal with the hardcover paired with the new Companion. You get both for about $35 pre-postage. Not too shabby.

link that may or may not work

Come on, Athena, you're too nice a lady to get all grumpy like that. There's a lot of + feedback on the book in the original MPD thread, and love or leave the book, there is little doubt that the interview is a humdinger (it may be the best I've read on CBn). There is, however, certainly going to be debate on the content of said interview.

[David Schofield]

Have you thought about this though... what if the name Bond is only a "name to protect the innocent". His name is James, his number is still 007, he's still a commander... he's still "James Bond". So considering that I don't understand your logic in being against reading this book because Bond isn't 007's name. Seems like a scapegoat.

Let's see if you can follow this logic...if the name Bond is only a name to protect the innocent, then that means this isn't James Bond so, why do I care? His name is James Bond in the Fleming, Amis, Gardner, Benson, and, God help me, Higson books. It's not a code name, nor a name to protect the innocent. Once it becomes that, he's no longer the real deal so, why spend my hard earned cash on such a product? God, this is so not a good time to be a Bond fan, literary or filmwise. Thank heavens for the Titan strip reprints.

Wasn't crazy about the whole Bond not being "Bond" bit; smacks of everything I couldn't stand about Pearson's 007 Bio.

Agreed.

Sound in interview, John. However, I think you perhaps clucked out on a couple of obvious whys?

Why bother say Bond was only a name invented by Fleming? It serves no purpose.

Why change dates of events that Fleming describes, ensuring that Fleming wrote about them BEFORE the diaries takes place - principly, the events of CR, Moneypenny joining SIS and M becoming M.

It would have been intriguing to know why Samantha made these fundamental changes.

[spynovelfan]

Well, David, I noticed she addressed your concern about when she joins the service.

Nice interview, Zencat. I really enjoyed it.

Some potential usernames for Ms Weinberg to consider:

ShowMeTheMoneypenny
Janemaker
ColonialChick

Do watch GOLDENEYE some time, Ms Weinberg - it's not a bad film.

[David Schofield]

Well, David, I noticed she addressed your concern about when she joins the service.

Sure, she joins the secret service later than Fleming implied to make her younger than Bond so she could be more energetic to carry out some of the adventures she does?! I mean, come on, Spy! Why does she have to be younger to be energetic, a couple of years in your 20s doesn't sap that much energy, does it? (I don't recall it ever doing). That's no justification for me to trash Fleming. I think its a research mistake. Could be wrong.

Sorry, Spy, I think its a hastily thought up cop out - and if you're reading this Samantha - and I sort of 65% enjoyed the book BTW - I don't buy it

[marktmurphy]

Excellent work.

[spynovelfan]

You're a tough one to please, David.

I will be buying this book (once I've finished my own - don't have time until then). I thought she sounded pretty on the ball. Continuity errors don't bother me nearly as much as they do you, mainly because they're all over Fleming. I just don't see the books (or the films, for that matter) as having a strict continuity.

But we've been over this.

I'd be interested to hear if the trilogy has been optioned for films, as reported in the Telegraph a couple of weeks ago.

[David Schofield]

You're a tough one to please, David.

I will be buying this book (once I've finished my own - don't have time until then). I thought she sounded pretty on the ball. Continuity errors don't bother me nearly as much as they do you, mainly because they're all over Fleming. I just don't see the books (or the films, for that matter) as having a strict continuity.

But we've been over this.

[Hitch]

This interview is yet another example of why CBn is such a good site. I was very impressed with Ms (or should that be Miss ) Weinberg's answers, particularly when she described the in-depth research she undertook, and the touching admission that she was very nervous at taking up the Moneypenny/Bond baton. I have a vision of her, like Indiana Jones, snatching IFP's contract and replacing it with her first draft, only for a giant stone ball of nerves and responsibilty to chase her down the tunnel of...erm...creativity. God, I talk rot.

Interviewing former SIS members and subsequently giving Moneypenny a colonial background is the type of thing I like to see, ditto with researching firearms; such diligence and invention is what gives a book like The Moneypenny Diary(ies) that helpful whiff of authenticity.

The "post-modern" (a handy shibboleth for describing literary conceits) aspect of the book is particularly appealing. All this fiction as fact as fiction as fact palaver can be great fun - witness Pearson's book and now this.

As I say every now and then at CBn - I may have to buy this.

It seems CBn has some very interesting lurkers floating about in the system. I suspect Ms Weinberg has been exploring the site in the manner of Bond running the gauntlet in Dr No; should she make it to the end of the tunnel, let's make sure the giant squid is tied up, hmm?

(And John, you might want to correct the spelling in the thread title. )

Edited by Hitch, 28 October 2005 - 10:11 AM.

[Simon]

A cracking interview - how are these things done? Are the questions emailed or is it over the phone?

Anyway, interest has been swayed towards having a look at this. (an interest that has yet to be extended to Young Bond even though Mr Higson also gave a superb interview). It seems the endeavours are all correctly placed and the premise, while initially sounding desperate, actually sounds quite fascinating.

I don't have any problem with the dates issue - didn't Fleming swap his timeline around regarding just when Bond could have bought his Bentley?

And if any of us was really bothered about timelines and continuity, then we'd have stopped reading the books and watching the films after 1968 - and this is without the 'modern day, prequel, Dench returns as M, first mission, Casino Royale being released)

I also have no problem with Bond's surname not being Bond - if criminals can go into witness protection programs, it makes sense that on entering the service, your past is obliterated. It's a twist I can live with that doesn't shout standard fan-boy references.