59 replies to this topic

[zencat]

As long as Charlie doesn't introduce a junior "Goldfinger" into a golf game, some odious nouveau Fettes bully.

Replicating Fleming THAT closely never works viz Benson's Majong game in Zero Minus Ten and his golf match in High Time to Kill.

Hopefully, Charlie would realise that.

I think we're way past having to worry about whether Charlie Higson understands how to write a Bond novel.

He certainly knows how to write a YOUNG Bond novel.

As for a "Bond" novel - I for one would love to find out.

True. And me too!

[Major Tallon]

His Young Bond books are terrific, and I'd be very happy to see him take on the mantle of continuation author.

[marktmurphy]

I'm still desperate for War Bond. Imagine Bond in sort of Where Eagles Dare commando missions against Nazis and evil Fleming-style villains written with the lovely historical touch and eye for Fleming-style sadism of Higson... gah; I'd love it.

[DAN LIGHTER]

Not YB related but interesting for aspiring writers to note that Higson said on Twitter that he wrote 6 books before one got published.

[zencat]

Nothing new, but good to have an occasional update and good to know YB2 is still something that could happen.

Charlie still considering Young Bond series 2

[Righty007]

Nothing new, but good to have an occasional update and good to know YB2 is still something that could happen.

Charlie still considering Young Bond series 2

After the Bond 23 fiasco, it's nice to know that the literary Bond isn't totally dead.

[Bucky]

having just finished by royal command i would love for charlie higson to do some more bond novels. i dont care if it takes place during his time at fettes, in the war, before casino royale, after the man with the golden gun, or anywhere in between.

[Qwerty]

Glad to hear that the idea is at least still in line.

But where are these post-centenary plans IFP had made mention of around the time of Devil May Care? 2008 got the literary Bond back in the spotlight - so let's keep things moving with a new series.

[Syndicate]

I would like to see him do two adult James Bond novels and see how it how it goes. Where Bond been out of the Navy for a long time, and it not like only his third or fourth mission. Would like see his take on that, to see would his have double agents, double cross and triple cross like some of Gardner's novels.

Edited by Syndicate, 28 April 2010 - 12:10 AM.

[David Schofield]

Am I being obtuse here...?

But does YB2 have to be a series????

Can't Charlies write independent, stand alone pre-war or WW2 novels, fitting one in between his other works as he was able/felt inclined to write, and without any scheduled agenda or story arc????

[zencat]

No, it has to be a series! We want to lock him down for a few years at least.

It's a good point, never really thought about him just doing a one off when he can.

But I think in the world of children's publishing, series are preferable, even expected. Expected by publishers and readers. It also might be expensive to negotiate book by book, so I'd think publishers would do everything they could to lock him into at least a 2 book deal.

[David Schofield]

No, it has to be a series! We want to lock him down for a few years at least.

It's a good point, never really thought about him just doing a one off when he can.

But I think in the world of children's publishing, series are preferable, even expected. Expected by publishers and readers. It also might be expensive to negotiate book by book, so I'd think publishers would do everything they could to lock him into at least a 2 book deal.

I'm sure the publishers would want a long term committment; makes business sense, more money.

And the fans too - on the surface. However, I remember what the routine and grind did to good old John Gardner, the need to hit deadlines, produce something. We KNOW JG became jaded and the quality of his work faded as his enthusiasm waned.

Consider, Charlie has already written five Bond novels plus short story. I do not know how many years he has been involved nor the number of hours of mental engery committed to Bond, but I do recall his suggestion that he needed a break. Therefore, wouldn't an adhoc policy of novels when Charlie felt so inspired be better - to avoid the very staleness that befell Gardner, and, dare I say it, even Ian Fleming???

I, for one, would prefer to preserve the quality of Charlie's Young Bond with fewer but better rather than more, sure, but worse.

Less might be more, ultimately, you know.

[Trident]

No, it has to be a series! We want to lock him down for a few years at least.

It's a good point, never really thought about him just doing a one off when he can.

But I think in the world of children's publishing, series are preferable, even expected. Expected by publishers and readers. It also might be expensive to negotiate book by book, so I'd think publishers would do everything they could to lock him into at least a 2 book deal.

I'm sure the publishers would want a long term committment; makes business sense, more money.

And the fans too - on the surface. However, I remember what the routine and grind did to good old John Gardner, the need to hit deadlines, produce something. We KNOW JG became jaded and the quality of his work faded as his enthusiasm waned.

Consider, Charlie has already written five Bond novels plus short story. I do not know how many years he has been involved nor the number of hours of mental engery committed to Bond, but I do recall his suggestion that he needed a break. Therefore, wouldn't an adhoc policy of novels when Charlie felt so inspired be better - to avoid the very staleness that befell Gardner, and, dare I say it, even Ian Fleming???

I, for one, would prefer to preserve the quality of Charlie's Young Bond with fewer but better rather than more, sure, but worse.

Less might be more, ultimately, you know.

Very good point I'd champion too. I'd rather have one single good book every few years than a mediocre one on every 1st of June.

[zencat]

I don't think Charlie would agree to do more books unless he had a clear idea and a new passion to write the next books (as well as a say how many books there would be). I'm sure Charlie is just as concerned about preserving the quality of YB as anyone, and well aware how a Bond author can be bled dry. He could have continued after-all, but he pulled the plug after the original planned 5 book set. If he agrees to a new series, it will be exciting because we'll know he's truly into it, and not just doing it because he needs the work (which he clearly doesn't -- I'm sure his other projects, because he has ownership in them, are far more lucrative).

It's also possible the books could be better as Charlie would probably gear them to slightly older readers, his Enemy audience, which means he'll be able to push it a little more. Being able to 'grow the books up' could be what ignites new passion in him, and the readers.

[Jim]

No, it has to be a series! We want to lock him down for a few years at least.

It's a good point, never really thought about him just doing a one off when he can.

But I think in the world of children's publishing, series are preferable, even expected. Expected by publishers and readers. It also might be expensive to negotiate book by book, so I'd think publishers would do everything they could to lock him into at least a 2 book deal.

I'm sure the publishers would want a long term committment; makes business sense, more money.

And the fans too - on the surface. However, I remember what the routine and grind did to good old John Gardner, the need to hit deadlines, produce something. We KNOW JG became jaded and the quality of his work faded as his enthusiasm waned.

Consider, Charlie has already written five Bond novels plus short story. I do not know how many years he has been involved nor the number of hours of mental engery committed to Bond, but I do recall his suggestion that he needed a break. Therefore, wouldn't an adhoc policy of novels when Charlie felt so inspired be better - to avoid the very staleness that befell Gardner, and, dare I say it, even Ian Fleming???

I, for one, would prefer to preserve the quality of Charlie's Young Bond with fewer but better rather than more, sure, but worse.

Less might be more, ultimately, you know.

Agreed. Greater shame to have diminishing returns than no return at all.

[Trident]

Question would be, will a second stint of YB be an entwicklungsroman too? I feel the first five have already gone a far distance with evolving James. A second series could not have that same character arch again, taking away some of YB's background motif here.

[zencat]

Like I said above, it could be aimed at an older readership, his Enemy audience, and could explore some new territory. He's left in a pretty interesting place at the end of BRC. It's not like one stops growing up after 14 (well, some of us do).

And of course, the final book would be called; The Spy Who Loved Me in Harry's Bar. (Or maybe that's the first book?)

[Jim]

Question would be, will a second stint of YB be an entwicklungsroman too? I feel the first five have already gone a far distance with evolving James. A second series could not have that same character arch again, taking away some of YB's background motif here.

Quite; in terms of character bitterness, the boy who walks down the mountain at the end of By Royal Command is the man who checks into the Hotel Splendide in Casino Royale. This is the great success of the Young Bond series and its limit - the character, save for some more lost loves and dead people - is pretty much there.

Would still like to see War Bond, though.

[zencat]

Quite; in terms of character bitterness, the boy who walks down the mountain at the end of By Royal Command is the man who checks into the Hotel Splendide in Casino Royale.

Oooo, , that's nicely put.

[Trident]

Quite; in terms of character bitterness, the boy who walks down the mountain at the end of By Royal Command is the man who checks into the Hotel Splendide in Casino Royale.

Oooo, , that's nicely put.

Absolutely.

[zencat]

But I'll leave it to you guys to explain to an audience of disappointed kids that there can be no more adventures with their favorite hero because, you know, it's more important to protect the integrity of Ian Fleming's original 1953 novel. Great. Thanks, old men.

(And aren't we all the same old codgers who said the series would never work in the first place?)

Trust in Charlie.

[DAN LIGHTER]

Well, you really have got me thinking David Schofield. More Young Bond or Adult Bond?

And some great points here in everyones posts. We don't want him to feel pressured but we want more Young Bond books. But I would settle for Charlie doing one Adult book if I had to. Don't get me wrong, the Young Bond books were real page turners. But the last thing I would want is for the man Charlie to lose this great passion that he had writing the YB books. What he actually achieved was mega with Young Bond. Much the same way Samantha did with The Moneypenny Diaries. The task was bigger than what Amis, Gardner, Benson or Faulks faced. So have a rest Charlie. Come back when you have the zest and fire in your belly. Whatever he writes Young Bond or Man Bond it will be the best. I just hope there is somthing at least penciled in for Adult Bond books in the future.

[Trident]

But I'll leave it to you guys to explain to an audience of disappointed kids that there can be no more adventures with their favorite hero because, you know, it's more important to protect the integrity of Ian Fleming's original 1953 novel. Great. Thanks, old men.

Aw, bugger! Those kids can be happy to have got the first series. Which really was intended only for us die-hard Fleming fans in the first place! They should go find some job and stop complaining and earn their mortgage instead.

Disappionted kids, really... When I was their age I had to come to terms with a Fleming who was DEAD! Disappointed...

(And aren't we all the same old codgers who said the series would never work in the first place?)

Trust in Charlie.

Too true. Which is probably why one starts to behave like a stubborn, insufferable old crock.

[Jack Spang]

Oh, it would be great. I would love to next read about Bond attending Fettes and fighting in WW2 (with certainly more of an adult tone). I am confident it will happen. The million dollar question is WHEN just like Bond 23...

I would like it if he wrote a series of 5 books regarding Bond's adventures during the war but it spanned over 10 years and in every second year he wrote an adult Bond book set after TMWTGG. I would also like to read about Bond in the early years of the service set before CR. Quite alot for Mr Higson to commit to. I have a habit of setting my hopes pretty high when it comes to the literature. :-)

Edited by Jack Spang, 27 April 2010 - 11:50 PM.

[Syndicate]

But I'll leave it to you guys to explain to an audience of disappointed kids that there can be no more adventures with their favorite hero because, you know, it's more important to protect the integrity of Ian Fleming's original 1953 novel. Great. Thanks, old men.

(And aren't we all the same old codgers who said the series would never work in the first place?)

Trust in Charlie.

That would be fine with me IF I was still young adults's age. When I was their age back in the 80s like 4th grade to middle school area and eatly high school. I would never really read stuff like Son of the Black Stallion, The Tower Treasure (Hardy Boys, Book 1), Rumble Fish, That Was Then, This Is Now and The Year Of The Gopher on my own time outside of school. It would be if the school choose it then I read it. Same thing today I never really stuff by authors like Robin Cook, Michael Crichton, Patricia Cornwell, Tad Williams, Piers Anthony, Anne McCaffrey, Sandra Brown, Stephen King, Dan Kootz, Michael Palmer, Amy Tan and Mario Puzo.I leave that to the college english teachers and the department. If they don't choose then that that. Whatever they do choose is wht I'll get to try out reading for the first time. I had read A Midsummer Night's Dream, A Brave New World, The Joy Luck Club, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, A Rasin In The Sun, A Room With A View, The Odyssey and Pride and Prejudice. Going to Bond's days as Spy would not be any problem. I still read it, I have always been in to spy novels, and it was all started by James Bond. Just these I'm a little more into the close to the real world type then the super spy type.

[Righty007]

IF Young Bond were to return...

Next Young Bond would be set in Scotland, include golf

Hey, I'll cling to any scrap.

Just saw this for the first time. Very cool. Hope it comes to fruition!

I think all of us that enjoy the Young Bond novels would love to see Bond at Fettes.

[zencat]

Whether THIS impacts more YB, we'll see...

[Trident]

Whether THIS impacts more YB, we'll see...

Sorry to hear that, having to leave a project behind is a sad thing.

[zencat]

You know, I tend to idealize British Television, but I see now it can be just as heartbreaking for creative people as the US networks. I think the BBC should have let BP find/expand its audience with a second season. Couldn't have been a great burden or expense to make. Saying "no" to Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse... As Charlie says, "Silly ."

[David Schofield]

You know, I tend to idealize British Television, but I see now it can be just as heartbreaking for creative people as the US networks. I think the BBC should have let BP find/expand its audience with a second season. Couldn't have been a great burden or expense to make. Saying "no" to Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse... As Charlie says, "Silly ."

Well, I know I've been all over the place with business for some time, but I'm a regularish viewer of Brit TV... and I've never heard of it, Chas and Aviva-man included.