"Although Higson's 'Young Bond' is not based on Pearson's work, both are faithful to what little information Ian Fleming revealed about Bond's childhood, therefore both 'versions' are similar in that Bond goes to Eton, loses his parents in a climbing accident and goes to live with his Aunt Charmian. The difference is in the detail, though. For example, the events surrounding the death of Bond's parents is different (and different again in John Gardner's 1989 novel WIN, LOSE OR DIE!)."
Intrigued by the last line, I e-mailed Brian Smith from Bond and Beyond (the website is currently selling James Bond: The Authorised Biography of 007 at a discounted price) asking for some clarification. Here are some excerpts from his reply:
None of the continuation authors contradict Fleming, as all Fleming really tells us is that Bond's parents were killed in a climbing accident. However, the continuation authors contradict each other, but only in the detail.
PEARSON:
In James Bond: The Authorised Biography of 007, Monique is suffering from a nervous breakdown, and her marriage to Andrew Bond is obviously under strain. Young James Bond was in London when he last saw his father, and was in Glencoe, Scotland with his brother Henry three weeks later when they were told of their parent's death. There was speculation that Monique took her life and that Andrew Bond fell, accidentally, to his death.
GARDNER:
In Win, Lose or Die, James is on holiday with his parents, now the loving couple, in Lago Lugano. He is ill and they have Christmas dinner in James's room. A few weeks later they have their climbing accident, which puts the timeline as January (Feb latest).
HIGSON:
In SilverFin, Bond is staying with his Aunt Charmian when news of his parents death comes through. James is an only child (no Henry!). Again, like Gardner's version, there does not seem to be any problem with Monique or the relationship. James last sees his parents in Basle and the climbing accident takes place in the summer.
Hope this sheds some lights. As I said, the difference is in the detail.I don't know if these differences are widely known but they're certainly news to me as I've yet to read James Bond: The Authorised Biography of 007 and Win, Lose Or Die. Anybody else find this fascinating?