On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
by Ian Fleming (Jonathan Cape, 1963); audiobook read by David Tennant (AudioGO, 2012)
Bond’s attitude to women remains unconscionable, but in other respects Fleming gives him a greater depth and vulnerability here than in other books (and certainly the films). The writing has refinement above its genre, and gains added respectability through David Tennant’s reading.
Ian Fleming’s story of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! the Magical Car
adapted by Al Perkins; ill. B Tobey (Collins and Harvill, 1969)
Lurking irresponsibly in the otherwise excellent Beginner Readers series, this gobsmacking tripe features a domestically lobotomised housewife and Fleming-modelled gung-ho husband. “Let’s blow up all this stuff,” said Jeremy. “That’s a fine idea,” said Mrs. Pott. “Then we can have our picnic.”