James Bond is 'too glamorous' to be a traditional British spy says new 007 author who claims espionage reality is more 'cups of tea than cocktails'
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James Bond author Charlie Higson has claimed that 007 is 'too glamorous' to be a traditional British spy after taking over the iconic novel franchise.
Higson has just published his first Bond novel since taking over as the writer, King Zero, after previous success penning the Young Bond series.
A series of authors have written stories about the famous spy following the death of the original Bond author Ian Fleming in 1964.
But Higson has now said that he doesn't believe the agent fits with the typical stereotype of a British spy as he says they are more 'tea than cocktails'.
He compared 007 to George Smiley, the agent in John le Carré's novels such as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Spy Who Came in from the Cold.
Speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, Higson said: 'James Bond is complete fantasy. We [Britons] don't do a lot of big, fantasy, glamorous international action stories.
James Bond author Charlie Higson has claimed that 007 is 'too glamorous' to be a traditional British spy after taking over the iconic novel franchise
'We tend to do people sitting in cafes, drinking cups of tea with steamed up windows, which is John le Carré's world.'
Mr Higson said: 'Le Carré is much more of a representative of British fiction than Fleming. John le Carré, I've always said, is 'cup of tea' writing. James Bond is 'cocktail' writing. And I love them both.'
Le Carré worked for both MI5 and MI6, an experience that helped inspire his literary career.
Following the release of the most recent Bond film, No Time To Die, Higson criticised it for portraying the spy as a committed family man.
He the opening scenes of No Time To Die – a car chase through the Italian town of Matera – are 'great' at first, but accused script-writers of undermining Bond's character by showing him arguing with his girlfriend as he drives.
He joked that 007 should have triggered her ejector seat and resumed his adventure.
'Bond is a fantasy, he's got no wife, no kids, you rarely see him at home, he lives in hotels, eats in restaurants, sleeps with as many women as he wants and gets to kill people,' Higson told the Chalke Valley History Festival, which is sponsored by the Daily Mail.
'It's the best job in the world. You never see him mowing his lawn, washing his car or asking his bank manager for a loan. He's one guy on a mission.
Higson has just published his first Bond novel since taking over as the writer, King Zero, after previous success penning the Young Bond series
Matthew Macfadyen has been cast to play George Smiley in the upcoming John le Carré television adaptation Legacy of Spies
'You don't have to worry about a back story or any boring discussions with his girlfriend. Which is why I absolutely hate No Time To Die. They put in all the boring stuff you don't want.
'The start of the film is great – he's in a really flash car, having a car chase around Matera. But he's got his girlfriend with him and they're having a row. What kind of fantasy is that? Find the ejector seat button, get rid of her and have an adventure.'
His comments are likely to raise eyebrows with fans and the film's producers. No Time To Die was the fourth most successful film at the international box office last year and the third most successful film ever released in the UK.
Higson's five Young Bond novels portray Ian Fleming's creation as a teenager attending Eton College during the 1930s.
The series has notched up over a million sales in the UK.
He said his favourite Fleming adventure was From Russia With Love because it was the best written and most exhaustively researched – although he conceded that some scenes would have seen the author 'cancelled' today.
Although he didn't specify which sequences may be seen as problematic, one of the most controversial plotlines has Bond back-handing a female double-agent across the face.
'There are unfortunately some quite dodgy sequences about women which in today's age would have got him instantly cancelled,' said Higson. 'But as a piece of writing, as a well-written, punchy story, it's really good.'
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