18 replies to this topic

[Charles Cumming]

I saw a documentary several years ago which dramatised an incident from Ian Fleming's marriage. He came home one night to his London house and overheard his wife and several of her "literary" friends reading out passages from the Bond books and ridiculing them. Does anybody know where this incident may have been written up? I have looked for it in Andrew Lycett's biography, but with no luck. I would appreciate any help Fleming experts might be able to give me.
Many thanks
Charles Cummig

[Trident]

I'm almost sure there has been a discussion regarding Fleming's supposed feelings of inferiority when confronted with Ann Fleming's literary set. I just can't seem to find it right now. But undoubtedly the man to ask any details of such an incident would be SILHOUETTE MAN. Be prepared to hear about it again.

[K1Bond007]

While I can't speak about specific incidents, this is pretty much true. Ann Fleming and her literary friends were big snobs and they looked down on Ian. Which is sad because Fleming had pretty low self-esteem, which you can clearly see when he discusses his books with friends who he holds in high respect. His letter to Churchhill about LALD and how it didn't have any merit beyond having no demands on the mind of the reader is rather dispiriting.

[Single-O-Seven]

You've encouraged me to go dig it up. I found a passage in John Pearson's "The Life of Ian Fleming" (Chapter 19: Enter Chandler) which refers to the incident you mention.
It reads:

"On one occasion (Fleming) arrived back at Victoria Square to find Cyril Connolly giving an exemptore reading from the latest exploits of James Bond to a full-scale gathering of Anne's friends. It was very funny; and Fleming was the only one who did not laugh."

- pg. 314 of the 2003 ppbk edition.

Hope this helps. I can check through the row of other Fleming bios on my shelf if you want further info.

- Ryan

[sharpshooter]

"On one occasion (Fleming) arrived back at Victoria Square to find Cyril Connolly giving an exemptore reading from the latest exploits of James Bond to a full-scale gathering of Anne's friends. It was very funny; and Fleming was the only one who did not laugh."

Ian is not amused, great stuff.

[Turn]

Was Stella Rimington one of those who was among the friends?

[Trident]

I'm almost sure there has been a discussion regarding Fleming's supposed feelings of inferiority when confronted with Ann Fleming's literary set. I just can't seem to find it right now. But undoubtedly the man to ask any details of such an incident would be SILHOUETTE MAN. Be prepared to hear about it again.

Only now I realize that by only mentioning SILHOUETTE MAN's expertise in all matters concerning lit-Bond I have unintentionally omitted the undisputed proficiency of a whole host of other CBners. K1Bond007, Single-O-Seven and all other experts, I hereby beg your forgiveness.

[Jim]

I wonder if he ever found a way of extracting some revenge later? I recall that there was some sort of stink about naming one of Wint and Kidd (or was it Wint & Gore) after an acquaintance, and Goldfinger and Scaramanga took their names from people he didn't much like.

Part of me wants there to have been a Sir Gervaise Psmith-Oddjob, but I doubt it.

[Trident]

I think he's getting his revenge right now. He's celebrated, his influence on modern culture is acknowledged, his works continue to be printed and sold while the high-brow set of self-styled literate writers, in spite of all their supposed 'relevance', are all but forgotten today, their names and works known only to a few specıalısts.

[hilly]

The Fleming documentary on The Living Daylights dvd mentions how he would escape to Goldeneye ostensibly to write a Bond book, but also to get away from his wife's friends. It also talks about how he would have to run the gauntlet of her dinner parties when he returned home.

[Charles Cumming]

Thank you so much to all of you for your help, particularly Single - 0 - Seven, whom I just rang in Canada and woke from a siesta! Many apologies for that. It was great to talk to you.
My review of Devil May care is due to appear in the Spectator next week.
best wishes to all
Charles

[Single-O-Seven]

Hi Charles,

it was a pleasure to speak with you. No apologies necessary. When one has an eight-month-old son, one catches a nap whenever possible, but it's always worth sacrificing sleep to spread the word of Fleming. Like most of the members on this site I'm always here to help, day or night, in order to further the wisdom of Bond and Fleming.
Best of luck with your review.
Cheers,

Ryan

[K1Bond007]

I wonder if he ever found a way of extracting some revenge later? I recall that there was some sort of stink about naming one of Wint and Kidd (or was it Wint & Gore) after an acquaintance, and Goldfinger and Scaramanga took their names from people he didn't much like.

Boofy Gore was Ann's Cousin. If he did it to exact some sort of revenge on her then he failed because as I recall it, he changed the name in a later edition and apologized. (Kidd = Gore).

[Double-Oh Agent]

I wonder if he ever found a way of extracting some revenge later? I recall that there was some sort of stink about naming one of Wint and Kidd (or was it Wint & Gore) after an acquaintance, and Goldfinger and Scaramanga took their names from people he didn't much like.

Boofy Gore was Ann's Cousin. If he did it to exact some sort of revenge on her then he failed because as I recall it, he changed the name in a later edition and apologized. (Kidd = Gore).

I don't know about Kidd's last name originating as Gore, but Fleming did give Kidd the nickname "Boofy" in Diamonds Are Forever along with the nickname "Windy" for Wint. I think it was that nickname that riled up Ann and her friends. Serve them right. Way to go Ian!

[Harry Fawkes]

I think he's getting his revenge right now. He's celebrated, his influence on modern culture is acknowledged, his works continue to be printed and sold while the high-brow set of self-styled literate writers, in spite of all their supposed 'relevance', are all but forgotten today, their names and works known only to a few specıalısts.

Well said Trident'. Well bloody said!

[Dr. Noah]

The thing is, every one of the writers at that party probably had the same thing happen to them within that group.

[DR76]

I suspect that Anne Fleming's opinion of the Bond novels went beyond mere snobbishness. I have heard that she genuinely disliked them and viewed the novels as examples of quasi-p

[MkB]

I suspect that Anne Fleming's opinion of the Bond novels went beyond mere snobbishness. I have heard that she genuinely disliked them and viewed the novels as examples of quasi-p�rnographic fantasies of her husband's. I think she found them embarrassing.

Well, to be honest, I find this quite understandable (and far more "forgiveable" that mere snobbishness). According to the 50s standards of the British high bourgeoisie, the Bond novels certainly were seen as an awful lot of p�rn, and sadism. Really, think about the torture scene in Casino Royale.
To each his (or her) own

[Golden Gun-E]

I suspect that Anne Fleming's opinion of the Bond novels went beyond mere snobbishness. I have heard that she genuinely disliked them and viewed the novels as examples of quasi-p�rnographic fantasies of her husband's. I think she found them embarrassing.

Well, to be honest, I find this quite understandable (and far more "forgiveable" that mere snobbishness). According to the 50s standards of the British high bourgeoisie, the Bond novels certainly were seen as an awful lot of p�rn, and sadism. Really, think about the torture scene in Casino Royale.
To each his (or her) own

I think most of us could admit that the Bond novels have in the past caused controversy and still can today. I know many females who see the Bond novels merely as a sexist play on women in general and in the time period the books were written and the standard people were expected and pressured to uphold I can see the "embarassment" his wife could have felt. Although today I would have to agree that Ian has the last laugh with the obvious popularity and entire culture surrounding everything Bond. It often takes such a risky idea, which can and will bother many people, in order to form a tremendous legacy like the one Bond and Fleming share. That's my two cents