The Man with the Golden Typewriter

RC7RC7
edited July 2015 in Literary 007 Posts: 10,512
I got a very early sneak peek of this from a friend at Bloomsbury quite a while back. I mentioned it in a thread, but couldn't disclose exactly what it was. Well, here it is...

http://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/the-man-with-the-golden-typewriter-9781408865477/

It will be a belter.

Amazon blurb:

On August 16, 1952, Ian Fleming wrote to his wife, Ann, “My love, This is only a tiny letter to try out my new typewriter and to see if it will write golden words since it is made of gold.” He had bought the golden typewriter as a present to himself for finishing his first novel, Casino Royale. It marked in glamorous style the arrival of James Bond, agent 007, and the start of a career that saw Fleming become one the world’s most celebrated thriller-writers. And he did write golden words. Before his death in 1964 he produced fourteen best-selling Bond books, two works of non-fiction and the famous children’s story Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang.

Fleming’s output was matched by an equally energetic flow of letters. He wrote constantly, to his wife, publisher, editors, fans, friends and critics–and to the wife of the man whose name Fleming appropriated for his hero–charting 007’s progress with correspondence that ranged from badgering Jonathan Cape about his quota of free copies–a coin was tossed and Fleming lost–to apologizing for having mistaken a certain brand of perfume and for equipping Bond with the wrong kind of gun. His letters also reflect his friendship with such contemporaries as Raymond Chandler, Noel Coward and Somerset Maugham.

This entertaining and engaging compilation traces the arc of Fleming’s literary career and details the inner working of James Bond. Set against the backdrop of his Jamaican retreat Goldeneye, and a troubled marriage, Fleming’s letters are filled with wit, humor and occasional self-doubt. They reveal an intimate portrait of a man, an era and a literary phenomenon.


Comments

  • PropertyOfALadyPropertyOfALady Colders Federation CEO
    Posts: 3,675
    Found out about this a few days ago. Definitely gonna pop over to Barnes and Noble when it's released.
  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    There's a lot of correspondence with Boothroyd, which should make for some really interesting reading.
  • PropertyOfALadyPropertyOfALady Colders Federation CEO
    Posts: 3,675
    I'll bet Desmond Llewellyn was very happy when Dr No Boothroyd was unavailable.
  • In 1997, I had a chance to look over Fleming manuscripts and letters, but my visit was limited to two hours. I envy the author of the book for getting to concentrate on that correspondence.

    https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/a-visit-with-ian-fleming/
  • ggl007ggl007 www.archivo007.com Spain, España
    Posts: 2,535
    In 1997, I had a chance to look over Fleming manuscripts and letters, but my visit was limited to two hours. I envy the author of the book for getting to concentrate on that correspondence.

    https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/a-visit-with-ian-fleming/

    Lucky you, @AlexanderWaverly! That's a dream of a travel for us Bondophiles and bibliophiles!
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,730
    Yes, I was going to start a thread on why the Collected Letters of Ian Fleming had not been made available and then I got the news from The Book Bond blog that this book of letters edited by Fergus Fleming was coming out. It really is an answer to prayer. Incidentally, Fergus Fleming wrote the biography on Amaryllis Fleming - Ian's half-sister.
  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    Yes, I was going to start a thread on why the Collected Letters of Ian Fleming had not been made available and then I got the news from The Book Bond blog that this book of letters edited by Fergus Fleming was coming out. It really is an answer to prayer. Incidentally, Fergus Fleming wrote the biography on Amaryllis Fleming - Ian's half-sister.

    When I found out about this about this about a year ago, you were the first person I wanted to tell, but I swore to my friend I wouldn't let the cat out as it hadn't been finalised. I think this is going to be a great read.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,730
    RC7 wrote: »
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    Yes, I was going to start a thread on why the Collected Letters of Ian Fleming had not been made available and then I got the news from The Book Bond blog that this book of letters edited by Fergus Fleming was coming out. It really is an answer to prayer. Incidentally, Fergus Fleming wrote the biography on Amaryllis Fleming - Ian's half-sister.

    When I found out about this about this about a year ago, you were the first person I wanted to tell, but I swore to my friend I wouldn't let the cat out as it hadn't been finalised. I think this is going to be a great read.

    Aww thanks friend. I know you were sworn to secrecy. It's very exciting news!
  • MrcogginsMrcoggins Following in the footsteps of Quentin Quigley.
    Posts: 3,144
    Just yesterday I ordered a copy of the Amaryllis Fleming biography by Fergus has anyone read this yet ?.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,730
    Mrcoggins wrote: »
    Just yesterday I ordered a copy of the Amaryllis Fleming biography by Fergus has anyone read this yet ?.

    I've read bits of it but not all. It's pretty good.

  • TMWTGTW looks like a must have.
    Mark you, the more I read about Ann, the more I like Blanche!
  • 007InVT007InVT Classified
    Posts: 893
    Fergus has some great travel writing books too. I have it on pretty good authority that his new book will be what we've been waiting for...
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,730
    TMWTGTW looks like a must have.
    Mark you, the more I read about Ann, the more I like Blanche!

    Yes, in the latter years of his life that was clearly where he found solace away from Ann and her snobby and happily all but forgotten literary set. John Pearson said in later life he liked people who were deuce and kind and his mistress Blanche Blackwell clearly fitted the bill. In fact she's still with us and going strong at 102.
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