98 replies to this topic

[Thunderball302]

with the success of Devil May care (no matter how lackluster the novel was) there is sure to be more new Bind novels in the future.

who would you like to see write Bond?

i would like to see a group of famous writers tackle a 2 or 3 book arc.

authors on my wish list are:

Tom Clancy - i think that he would write a very interesting grounded in fact Bond.

Matthew Reilly - while Bond novels are a different animal than Bond ovies - i think Reilly would right an incredible movie-like total action Bond.

Clive Cussler - another writer who would provide an action filled movie-like Bond.

James Rollins - i thimnk he would do a great job of blending the written Bond with the movie Bond - and i know for a fact that he is a fan of both the Bond novels and the Bond movies - and i think he did apretty good job writing Indy and the Kingdom of the Chrystal Skulls.

[Harmsway]

In my fantasy world, Thomas Harris would write the next Bond novel. But it would never, ever happen.

As far as who I'd really like to see write a Bond novel, I'm not entirely sure. I haven't really read much in the appropriate genre lately, so I don't know who's still on the top of their game and who's not.

[dogmanstar]

How about Ian McEwan?

[K1Bond007]

At this point, honestly, I'd throw every name out the window and just get Charlie to do it. He's practically 5 for 5. No other author has come even close to being as consistent save for Fleming himself. Logically, he should be given the shot to write at least one.

His name doesn't capture the attention like some that will be mentioned in this thread, but he'd probably be the most successful with the fans IMO. Sebastian Faulks for all his faults with Devil May Care is a hell of a writer, so is Kingsley Amis and in comparison little-known-author Higson did better.

[Thunderball302]

At this point, honestly, I'd throw every name out the window and just get Charlie to do it. He's practically 5 for 5. No other author has come even close to being as consistent save for Fleming himself. Logically, he should be given the shot to write at least one.

His name doesn't capture the attention like some that will be mentioned in this thread, but he'd probably be the most successful with the fans IMO. Sebastian Faulks for all his faults with Devil May Care is a hell of a writer, so is Kingsley Amis and in comparison little-known-author Higson did better.

as i have already said - i would like to see some big names have a try at Bond - but -

i wouldn't mind seeing Charlie either - i would want him to have at least a 5 book deal so he can establish something - and i would also want his Bond to be in this time and not the '60's - i think that the thing i hated most about DMC was that it was based in the '60's.

with the troble this world has right now there are more than enough problems for Bond to handle in '08!

[Bondian]

zencat, for me. It's 'bout time.

[[dark]]

At this point, honestly, I'd throw every name out the window and just get Charlie to do it. He's practically 5 for 5. No other author has come even close to being as consistent save for Fleming himself. Logically, he should be given the shot to write at least one.

His name doesn't capture the attention like some that will be mentioned in this thread, but he'd probably be the most successful with the fans IMO. Sebastian Faulks for all his faults with Devil May Care is a hell of a writer, so is Kingsley Amis and in comparison little-known-author Higson did better.

It is amazing that Higson is five for five - and I have no doubt he'd knock a follow-up to Devil May Care out of the park. But I assume IFP are wanting to follow the Young Bond series with another set of books exploring Bond's post-Eton years. Charlie Higson is the only writer I can imagine successfully continuing Bond's formative adventures.

I suspect we'll see another big-name author; hopefully someone who's more of an acclaimed thriller writer than an author of a bibliography like that of Faulks. Most importantly, though, I hope IFP hire a writer who, like Higson, is a true fan with a genuine appreciation of James Bond and of Ian Fleming. Faulks' major downfall was that he was seemingly neither.

[K1Bond007]

At this point, honestly, I'd throw every name out the window and just get Charlie to do it. He's practically 5 for 5. No other author has come even close to being as consistent save for Fleming himself. Logically, he should be given the shot to write at least one.

His name doesn't capture the attention like some that will be mentioned in this thread, but he'd probably be the most successful with the fans IMO. Sebastian Faulks for all his faults with Devil May Care is a hell of a writer, so is Kingsley Amis and in comparison little-known-author Higson did better.

It is amazing that Higson is five for five - and I have no doubt he'd knock a follow-up to Devil May Care out of the park. But I assume IFP are wanting to follow the Young Bond series with another set of books exploring Bond's post-Eton years. Charlie Higson is the only writer I can imagine successfully continuing Bond's formative adventures.

I suspect we'll see another big-name author; hopefully someone who's more of an acclaimed thriller writer than an author of a bibliography like that of Faulks. Most importantly, though, I hope IFP hire a writer who, like Higson, is a true fan with a genuine appreciation of James Bond and of Ian Fleming. Faulks' major downfall was that he was seemingly neither.

Well I think Charlie is mostly successful because he's able to think outside the box a lot. Every author attempting to write an adult Bond novel (or a movie for that matter) essentially tries to tick off all the boxes on the formulaic Bond adventure checklist and it largely doesn't work because those authors aren't Ian Fleming. Higson doesn't really need all that stuff, though he adds it on occasion. He doesn't actually require a Bond girl or exotic locales (which is why Double or Die is rather refreshing). He can practically do whatever he wants. That's really what you need in a good author, something I would think Higson understands by now.

This was all largely my problem with Devil May Care. Faulks knew the checklist and he hit every note exactly on cue. Makes for a rather boring adventure especially when he was more or less borrowing situations from Fleming's books.

[Thunderball302]

<<<This was all largely my problem with Devil May Care. Faulks knew the checklist and he hit every note exactly on cue. Makes for a rather boring adventure especially when he was more or less borrowing situations from Fleming's books.>>>

i couldn't agree with you more!

and i think that Faulks downfall was that DMC was boring and wasn't all that exciting.

once i got past the thrill of reading a new Bond novel DMC was just more of the same - nothing new - nothing exciting.

[Double-Oh Agent]

My first choice would be Charlie Higson. He would be great. Just imagine what he could do writing an adult 007 novel.

As for more famous names, I not sure who I would pick. A couple of names that would consider are Barry Eisler and Daniel Silva.

[Trident]

Not sure if I'd want a genre author to take over. I love Barry Eisler, I've read some quite decent Reacher novels by Child (although I find Reacher grew too much into a superhuman being to remain credible for me) and I still can enjoy Silva's books (even though they lost some attraction after the second helping of his Gabriel series). But I think all of these usual suspects really work best in their respective fields and I find little Bond in John Rain, Jack Reacher or Gabriel Allon.

That surely doesn't mean these and other genrewriters wouldn't be able to write Bond too, perhaps even good Bond. Some of them really might and secretly I dream of an Ian Rankin go. But the more I think about it the less room for manouvere I see if one of these was to write the next adult Bond.

No, IMHO the logical next step would be to follow up on Higson's really outstanding Young Bond series. And this, logically, with his idea of describing the war years. A terrific idea with vast potential and my personal favourite. If, big if, it was Charlie Higson that can work from the basis he's created in his first series. He's a seasoned and proven hand where Bond is considered and should have the chance to bring us Bond back. I'll back Higson with this project over any other name.

Even if IFP feels the need it absolutely does have to be an adult Bond novel picking up in the 00-years, Higson would be one of the better choices in my opinion. I really can see no reason why he shouldn't also do terrific without the restrictions a so-called 'youth book' forced upon his previous works.

There is another direction that IFP may want to explore. With the growing interest in graphic novels, there might be an interesting prospect for artists that previously haven't had the chance to do something Bond-related. Perhaps this could be an opportunity for a really outstanding project? From my point of view there seems to be some terrific talent out there that could make a 007 graphic novel not just a major event but also break up the crust of stale formula and cliche that threatens to drown adult lit-Bond.

And if such a project was a success and managed to open new opportunities character- and plot-wise, then lit Bond in general could profit from this.

[Eurospy]

I'd prefer authors of the thriller variety.

But not James Rollins. I had fun reading his Sandstorm and Map of Bones, but in terms of plot flow, there are way too many big chunks that could easily trade places within the story and not change a thing, as opposed to having a logical sequencing.

Daniel Silva is probably too busy with his own Gabriel Allon.

A series of comic book mini-series would always be welcome (I think Strackzynski - or however you spell it - might do many wonders with the character).

Whoever they'd bring in, I would never be opposed to having Bond as a contemporary character. Which is an incredibly difficcult task to perform, due to the different perceptions of the character. Thus, a writer who can actually pull such stunt off would be of great talent indeed.

[Loomis]

I'd like Sebastian Faulks to write a Bond novel. I'm referring to Sebastian Faulks the author of masterpieces like A FOOL'S ALPHABET and ENGLEBY, and not to the presumably unrelated writer called Sebastian Faulks who penned the pisspoor DEVIL MAY CARE in a weird, halfhearted and unsuccessful so-called imitation of Fleming's style.

[Zorin Industries]

J R HARTLEY

[TheREAL008]

I'd like to actually see Stephen King write one Bond story, how much would that rock?

And if Higson is as good as everyone is saying, they why not have him write more?

[Safari Suit]

J R HARTLEY

God no! The print runs for his books are abysmal! Have you ever tried to find a copy of Flyfishing? It's a bloody nightmare!

[SecretAgentFan]

Elmore Leonard.

[Thunderball302]

But not James Rollins. I had fun reading his Sandstorm and Map of Bones, but in terms of plot flow, there are way too many big chunks that could easily trade places within the story and not change a thing, as opposed to having a logical sequencing.

Daniel Silva is probably too busy with his own Gabriel Allon.

i would like to see Rollins take a shot because he is such a big fan of the books and the movies.

I'd like to see Silva too - but do you think he is a little too set in the "real world" to do Bond?

and i do not want to see Bond stuck in the '60's - i think that the headlines each day with terror and bombings and pirates and worldwide corporations shows that there is more than enough for Bond to do in this century.

[danielcraigisjamesbond007]

How about Ken Follett or John Le Carre?

[golrush007]

I doubt that Le Carre would be interested since I believe it is well known that he dislikes the Bond books.

I think they should get Christopher Wood back to write some continuation novels. His work on the novelisations of TSWLM and MR was great. He has captured Fleming better than any other author that I have read. His name wouldn't be a selling point as a Follet or a Clancy would, but I think that Wood could really do a good job.

[Solex Agitator]

Alan Furst.

[Double-Oh Agent]

I think they should get Christopher Wood back to write some continuation novels. His work on the novelisations of TSWLM and MR was great. He has captured Fleming better than any other author that I have read. His name wouldn't be a selling point as a Follet or a Clancy would, but I think that Wood could really do a good job.

He'd be as good as anybody (with the possible exception of Higson), AND he's a proven commodity. I would certainly be fine with him. He was my choice to do the Quantum Of Solace novelization when a thread first popped up asking who should write it before we learned there wouldn't be any.

[tristanjblythe]

Two names already linked to 00 novels spring to mind:

Sebastian Faulks - a great writer but unfortunately a good but far from great DMC. I'd like to see him have another go. I'd like to see him just write a straight Bond book - not worry about the coming back to prove himself.

Charlie Higson - I'm not a fan of the Young Bond series. Its the concept I dislike. Bond wasn't a member of the Famous Five. BUT they are incredibly well written and extremely Fleming-like in style. I'd much have preferred that Higson had been given a shot at a standard adult Bond novel. although if the Young Bond series gets kids to read and introduces them to 007 then I won't be complaining.

[[dark]]

Charlie Higson - I'm not a fan of the Young Bond series. Its the concept I dislike. Bond wasn't a member of the Famous Five. BUT they are incredibly well written and extremely Fleming-like in style. I'd much have preferred that Higson had been given a shot at a standard adult Bond novel. although if the Young Bond series gets kids to read and introduces them to 007 then I won't be complaining.

You know, after Charlie's done with Young Bond (whatever form that may take), I'd love to see him tackle a final, one-off adult Bond book. Maybe even the story of Bond's first mission as a 00-agent? He manages the Fleming sweep better than any other continuation novelist.

[zencat]

Charlie Higson.

[Greene Planet]

What about Alex Berenson, his first novel THE FAITHFUL SPY, is one of the best spy novels next to Casino Royale, it was the winner of the EDGAR award. In his novel, their is sex, violence, terrorist and portrays the ultimate US issue, the Iraq war.

[golrush007]

I haven't yet read the Young Bond series, but Higson certainly sounds like he would be an appropriate, and popular choice. I just hope they do continue publishing new literary Bond adventures.

[MkB]

For period pieces, I'd give Samantha Weinberg a go since , and Charlie Higson seems a good candidate too from what I have heard but I haven't read his series yet.
The thing is, both of them have done a huge work of research about the Bond character, they know their Fleming, and know how to write.

But actually I'd like to read good contemporary Bond adventures. Not novelizations, mind you. For that, I don't have any particular known name to suggest. But generally speaking, I'd like to know what would come up if a Bond novel was to be commissionned to a travel writer rather than a thriller writer. I'd prefer something moody and well thought over a classic spy thriller.

[TheREAL008]

Probably won't work, but what about rebooting the novel Bond also?

[[dark]]

I just hope they do continue publishing new literary Bond adventures.

After the success of Devil May Care, there's no doubt there will be.

Probably won't work, but what about rebooting the novel Bond also?

That's essentially what Devil May Care - and Young Bond and The Moneypenny Diaries - was. IFP would never disregard Fleming in the same way that the Craig films disregard the Connery ones, so erasing Amis, Gardner and Benson from what's now considered canon is as close as we'll get to a reboot. Job done!