I've been interested in Ian Fleming since reading about his role in Naval Intelligence during WWII. When NetGalley offered this collection of letters, I was interested, but certainly didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did.
Nor did I expect to find Fleming, the man, so likable and charming, so generous, and so appreciative and kind to his fans. The man who wrote thrillers was friends with Evelyn Waugh, Noel Coward, Somerset Maugham, and Raymond Chandler.
Fleming biographical info.
I had never heard of the Studillac before reading the letters, so I had to Google to discover that the Studillac was a studebaker with a cadillac engine.
Read in August. A Garden Carried in the Pocket review scheduled for Oct. 19, 2015.
NetGalley/Bloomsbury
Letters/Memoir. Nov. 3, 2015. Print version: 400 pages.
Thanks for the heads-up on this one; sounds like something I need to get my hands on because, while I know the Bond books fairly well, I know very little about Fleming himself.
ReplyDeleteSam, I really loved this book! I knew a good bit about Fleming's war work from reading about WWII, but nothing about his personal life. The book doesn't really discuss his war accomplishments--instead, it is all letters written to and from publishers, fans, and friends. Now, I want a biography that strings it all together. The letters are warm and witty, kind and generous.
DeleteThat's so neat to find out good info on a writer. I like that he seems to have been appreciative of his fans. I'm not a huge Bond fan either although I do like the films with Daniel Craig - could be that Craig is in them though! :)
ReplyDeleteFleming's real war work inspired much of the Bond books, but it is his letters to his fans that are so special.
DeleteLike Iliana, I'm not a huge fan of Bond but I did enjoy watching a few Bond movies starring Daniel Craig. He's definitely a charismatic man in my opinion. That said, this sounds like an interesting book. I'm glad you enjoyed reading it, Jenclair. :)
ReplyDeleteFleming was a curious mixture, but definitely a fascinating man!
DeleteMy husband really enjoyed Ian Flemings' books, but I never read them. A fellow blogger recently read the first in his James Bond series and was sorely disappointed. This does sound interesting! He sounds like he was a nice person.
ReplyDeleteIt is always interesting to "see" a person through his or her letters. The letters selected for the book reveal a lot about his relationship to writing and publishing his work and his appreciation for his fans. It is definitely a select view, but a fascinating one.
DeleteI actually am a Bond fan and I'm so glad to hear about this book I have a little stack of his books that I'm planning to read/reread this winter. I'll have to find this book to go along with it. Thanks, and thanks for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteOh, good! You will love these letters, Margot! There is some interesting information about how Fleming chose covers, cars, and weapons for Bond!
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