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Devil May Care (James Bond #36)

by Sebastian Faulks

3.23 · rating details · 1,268 ratings · 260 reviews

Bond is back. With a vengeance.

Devil May Care is a masterful continuation of the James Bond legacy–an electrifying new chapter in the life of the most iconic spy of literature and film, written to celebrate the centenary of Ian Fleming’s birth on May 28, 1908.

An Algerian drug runner is savagely executed in the desolate outskirts of Paris. This seemingly isolated event lea...more

Hardcover, 278 pages

Published May 28th 2008 by Doubleday (first published 2006)

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Feb 24, 2011

Sandybanks rated it

Shelves: 2011, ebook, expanding-my-horizon, mystery-thriller

First, I have a confession to make: I’ve never read anything by Ian Fleming, or anything by Sebastian Faulks, for that matter. All I know about “the name is Bond, James Bond” I learned from the movies, specifically the ones starring Messrs. Dalton, Brosnan and Craig --- and a couple of half-remembered early 80’s Moore films. It’s not that I’m a particularly ardent fan, but somehow, over the years, I have managed to see more than a half dozen of them (having action-starved boys/men in the house c...more

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Jul 11, 2008

Daniel rated it

· review of another edition

From genrebusters.com:

THE PREMISE

This year marks the one-hundredth anniversary of Ian Fleming, the British writer who created the character of James Bond. What better way to celebrate than to contract a respected British writer of historical, WWII-era novels to concoct a new Bond tale, set in 1967, immediately after Fleming's last, posthumously published Bond book, The Man with the Golden Gun?

IN REVIEW

You will note that I did not give any plot descri...moreFrom genrebusters.com:

THE PREMISE

This year marks the one-hundredth anniversary of Ian Fleming, the British writer who created the character of James Bond. What better way to celebrate than to contract a respected British writer of historical, WWII-era novels to concoct a new Bond tale, set in 1967, immediately after Fleming's last, posthumously published Bond book, The Man with the Golden Gun?

IN REVIEW

You will note that I did not give any plot description in the above premise. There are two reasons for this: the first is that, on the whole, I try to avoid plot spoilers, and, this being a Bond novel, these are too easy to commit when describing the latest installment of a series that relies on formula; the second is that the plot that Mr. Faulks has created for Bond's return does not, unfortunately, warrant any positive mention. There is Bond (tired after a string of trying exploits), a girl (beautiful, mysterious), a villain (deformed, insane, intelligent), and a plot to undermine Western society (megalomaniacal, ludicrous, shallow). These are mixed in recognizable proportions, shaken (not, of course, stirred) and displayed upon the page.

To Mr. Faulk's credit, his handle on 1960s dress, music, food, and locations feels authentic - at least it does to this reader, who was born a decade later. A few characters comment on current events - Vietnam, drugs, changing sexual mores, the Stones - and these asides are a nice atmospheric touch, though little used. Mr. Faulks sends Bond to numerous countries and establishes the continental feel that Fleming cultivated in his own works and filmmakers realized on the silver screen. Overall, Devil May Care has the look and texture of a Bond tale, complete with long descriptions of sitting at table and walking busy urban streets.

It is what Mr. Faulks misses that made this a disappointing read. The most glaring oversight is his take on Bond's psyche. Readers of Fleming will know that, throughout each tale, Bond suffers a growing amount of trauma, until he has reached his limit and lost touch with his own personality. This was Fleming's greatest accomplishment in the series, and I had high hopes that Faulks would continue this development and take it further. At first, he seems to be setting Bond up for this: mention of past missions is made, and Bond constantly reflects upon his fatigued state of mind. But once the new mission queues up and M calls Bond in for the usual talk, all mention of these frailties is dropped, and Bond falls into the role of tough, arrogant, resourceful spy without comment or reflection.

Were this outing in itself interesting, then this take on the series could be admissible as a new adventure for devoted followers; as mentioned previously, the plot of this tale is poor, and unworthy of our beloved character. Moreover, Faulks incorporates elements that do not work well in the attempt: the true story of our mystery woman is one that Bond should have figured out on his own; the use of a Middle Eastern locale feels more like an unnecessary attempt to reference the present; and the book's sole homosexual is made out to be an underhanded, traitorous crook. This latter choice inspired the only emotion (anger) I felt in the entire reading, and in reaction I have but one comment, in the key of Bond: bad form, Mr. Faulks. (less)

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Jun 29, 2008

Ron Irwin rated it

Recommends it for: very bored people

What can one say? A book that was hyped up beyond belief, a book we all waited for and hoped for, is pretty much a B- if you feel generous, but it is really a C. Yes, lots of good period pieces and it is good to have James back, but the architecture is a mess, the plot lurches back and forth like Bentley needing oil, and certain transgressions have been made here that will have Fleming flip flopping in his grave. Right off the bat: pitchers of martinis (which have to be stirred)? Bonking a 004?...moreWhat can one say? A book that was hyped up beyond belief, a book we all waited for and hoped for, is pretty much a B- if you feel generous, but it is really a C. Yes, lots of good period pieces and it is good to have James back, but the architecture is a mess, the plot lurches back and forth like Bentley needing oil, and certain transgressions have been made here that will have Fleming flip flopping in his grave. Right off the bat: pitchers of martinis (which have to be stirred)? Bonking a 004? M doing Yoga? A damsel in distress named Poppy held captive by a heroin kingpin?

Penguin? Hello? Edit much?

Granted, the past books were pretty flimsy but still, I would have to say that hitchhiking out of the Urals is a pretty tall order for Bond, and the main villain's uncanny ability to find him on--wait for it--a riverboat named The Huckleberry Finn in Paris, is simply impossible. Never mind the Oddjob knockoff who, despite not being able to feel pain, "bellows" in pain when Bond breaks his little finger.

I'm a very, very soft audience for this stuff, but even I have to wonder how Faulks thinks we'll react when we have Bond smoking dope and drinking scotch naked with some other naked "virgin" nubiles in an opium den/unisex bathhouse in Tehran called Paradise.

Other problems crop up in the last 35 pages or so as Faulks tries to move his characters across vast distances in minimal time restricted by the technology of 1969 and trusting them to the good faith of utter strangers. But things really fall apart when Bond and the love interest finally make it back to Paris free and clear only to separate to pull themselves together after the long trip--Bond retires to a seedy Gare du Nord hotel while the woman he has jumped out of a plane with and traveled across Eastern Europe with disappears into the night looking longingly at him through the taxi cab glass. Um, hello? Ritz? Place du Concorde? Bollinger? But of course we have to have James alone so he can decide to take the ill fated steamboat ride rather than get ridden by ...oh, forget about it. If anyone wants to but a slightly thumbed and furiously tossed version of this book, email me.

(less)

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Jun 19, 2008

Turi rated it

From the way the cover is worded, "Sebastian Faulks writing as Ian Fleming", I assume that Faulks was trying to write a real, Fleming-style Bond book. I think he succeeded - he definitely did his homework. The whole book is peppered with references to Fleming's books, from Bond's wardrobe preference to workout routines to cars to scrambled eggs. The overall plot structure felt pretty authentic, too - he even ends the book similarly to Fleming's. I thought it was thouroughly enjoyab...more

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Mar 09, 2009

Ann rated it

Bog-standardly enjoyable Bond – ‘tinis, ‘tude, ‘splosions – and I really do think that anyone claiming to divine significant differences between IIan Fleming and Sebastian-Faulks-as-Ian-Fleming is full of it. But am I the only one who gets the willies from this whole “writing as” thing? Not that I want a wholesale re-imagining of the franchise (though I was looking forward to a Bond novel where I wasn’t secretly hating myself for so enjoying something written by someone so prone misogyny and b...more

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Jul 25, 2011

Matthew Kresal rated it

The literary 007 finally makes a return for the first time since Raymond Benson's exit with the novel The Man With The Red Tattoo back in 2002. With a new author, not known for thriller writing, taking the reigns there was much hope for Devil May Care. So what is the verdict on the new 007 adventure?

Well it is not a perfect book by any means though and I won't claim it as such. Author Sebastian Faulks tries too hard at times to make his style Fleming's style and the plot seems to be...more

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Jul 05, 2011

Dave rated it

2008 marked the 100th birthday of the late Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond. Fleming died in 1964 at the age of 56.

Since his death, several writers have taken turns churning out 007 adventures, most notably John Gardner and Raymond Benson.

Now, to celebrate the 100th birthday, Sebastian Faulks, writing as Ian Fleming, of course, takes a turn at Bond with his new novel "Devil May Care".

Unlike Gardner and Benson, who both put Fleming's Bond in modern...more

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May 31, 2011

Sarah rated it

This is one of the newest books in the James Bond series – written by Sebastian Faulks, who is a famous modern novelist. I am not an enormous Bond fan, but I do enjoy reading the books about him every once in a while. Kind of like I enjoy a big cup of cider sometimes. Not all the time, and just because at the time it sounds enjoyable.

This Bond novel finds 007 on a mandatory sabbatical after a rough assignment. He is lounging around in Paris, trying not to work and very nearly faili...moreThis is one of the newest books in the James Bond series – written by Sebastian Faulks, who is a famous modern novelist. I am not an enormous Bond fan, but I do enjoy reading the books about him every once in a while. Kind of like I enjoy a big cup of cider sometimes. Not all the time, and just because at the time it sounds enjoyable.

This Bond novel finds 007 on a mandatory sabbatical after a rough assignment. He is lounging around in Paris, trying not to work and very nearly failing. When M calls him back after MI6 is alerted to a frightening new player in the illicit drug market. Julius Gorner is a man with a passion for opium and all of its derivatives, not for personal pleasure but as a business investment. Bond is assigned to learn as much about him as possible. Along the way, 007 picks up a woman (of course) whose sister has been taken captive by Gorner – the lovely Scarlett Papava. Unsurprisingly, what Bond learns about Gorner shows there is much more to be concerned about than simply the increase in opium sales. Gorner has plans to change the face of the planet forever, and will kill anyone who gets in his way. Which is precisely where 007 is standing.

It’s definitely not to be disputed that the 007 novels are cheesy in the best sense of the word; elaborate plots, cool gadget weaponry, beautiful and willing women, and a main character that oozes cool. They are novels written for men and play to every weakness of the male gender. This book is no different. However, it was a bit rough for me to grasp that this was still taking place in the 1970′s. I’m not sure if it was balancing between the new Bond movies set in the present and the book, or if it was the writing style of Faulks. Something kept making me feel it was set in present day. Other than this, Faulks’s homage to Fleming is flawless. He completely understands Bond and can tell a dramatic suspenseful spy story with the best of them. It’s slightly less tongue-in-cheek, with action every other page and a willingness to harm any and every character. If you enjoy the rest of the novels about 007, you’ll enjoy this one.(less)

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Sep 09, 2010

David rated it

Shelves: completed

Do you remember that classic line from "Goldfinger?"

Bond: Do You expect me to talk?

Goldfinger: No, Mister Bond, I expect you to die!

This novel captured the feel of the old original Ian Fleming "cold war" bond that other writers have attempted to capture without much success. John Gardner's "License Renewed" came close, but in subsequent novels Gardner seemed to rejoice not in true Bond action, but rather in Bond's sexual escapade...more

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Mar 23, 2010

Marcos rated it

I've never been a fan of James Bond movies, but I found this book out on the street and read it out of curiosity. I wanted to get a glimpse of James Bond on paper, in hopes of learning a bit about why he's such a well-loved character. This book didn't give me that glimpse. Sebastian Faulks puts an honest effort into capturing the spirit of Bond's original author Ian Fleming, but DEVIL MAY CARE felt largely uninspired, and unexciting. The action scenes were decent, and the Bond Faulks gives u...more

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Nov 20, 2009

Tony rated it

Shelves: novels

A few years ago I read about half of the original Ian Fleming 007 series and generally found them quite enjoyable and different than I had expected based on the film franchise. Don't get me wrong, they're not great literature, but they are ripping yarns that reflect their era and are much darker than one might expect. Since Fleming's death, there have been several writers authorized to continue the franchise (including Kingsley Amis!), but I'd never been that interested in trying any of them. Ho...moreA few years ago I read about half of the original Ian Fleming 007 series and generally found them quite enjoyable and different than I had expected based on the film franchise. Don't get me wrong, they're not great literature, but they are ripping yarns that reflect their era and are much darker than one might expect. Since Fleming's death, there have been several writers authorized to continue the franchise (including Kingsley Amis!), but I'd never been that interested in trying any of them. However, the involvement of a non-thriller writer like Sebastian Faulks -- whom I've never read, but have heard many good things about -- intrigued me enough to pick this up and give it a whirl.

The first good thing is that the book follows the chronology just of the original Fleming books, taking place after the last one, in 1967. It opens with Bond on extended physical and mental convalescent leave, seriously considering whether or not he's had enough of working in the field and is ready to settle down to the quiet life of a desk agent. M calls him away from this break to help out a new 004, by "talking to" a curious businessman named Dr. Gorner, a Lithuanian who just might be the world's foremost heroin dealer. (This set up is a little odd, unless "talk to" is supposed to be a dry euphemism for "kill" or something like that.) In any event, soon enough, Bond is off to Paris to sniff around Gorner, and the stage is set for a classic Bond adventure. And, it has to be said, that it all feels very much like a blend of the original books and some of the better elements from the films:

* The villain is diabolical and deformed (he has a monkey paw for one hand!)
* Bond and he go mano-a-mano in their first meeting (on a tennis court)
* The story takes Bond to an exotic locale (Iran),
* The villain has crazy military vehicle called an Ekranoplan (which is entirely real and historically accurate, right down to its nickname)
* Bond has a suave, likable local ally on the ground a la Darko Karim.
* Felix Leiter and Rene Mathis both have supporting roles
* There are two beautiful women (twins!)
* The window-dressing is all in place (plenty of descriptions of food, booze, cigarettes, clothing, etc.)
* There's plenty of action, including gunplay, hand-to-hand combat, a car chase, and an exciting action sequence in an airplane.

Indeed, the book struck me as a rather effective imitation of the classic Bond novels from its structure down to the various details. I know some Bond fanatics feel like the Fleming style isn't there, but quite honestly, I don't recall Fleming having much style to begin with. There are some minor missteps in terms of continuity with the Fleming books (likely only to bother the trainspotters among the readership), a few bad Roger Mooreish puns creep in, and rather disappointingly, the villain delivers an extended monologue to the captured Bond explaining his master plan in enough detail to give Bond all the info he needs to thwart it. There's also a "big twist" at the very end concerning the identity of one of the major characters which is unlikely to surprise most readers (even Bond admits that he had worked it out early on).

One final aspect of the book that's worth mentioning is how Faulks, as Fleming did in many of the original books, takes an issue contemporary to the time (the rise of heroin) and uses it as the catalyst for the adventure. And although the villain's plan is as insane and grandiose as any Bond villain's, he weaves in quite a number of historical British colonial atrocities as justification (Opium War, Potato Famine, the Malay and Mau Mau rebellions), which Bond has no response to. All in all, a completely satisfying return to the 1960s, when Bond had to save the world without the help of computers and cell phones!(less)

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Dec 24, 2011

Richard Finney rated it

I’m a huge James Bond fan! I’ve seen all the films. And some of the movies, (“Goldfinger,” and the most recent version of “Casino Royale,”) I’ve seen dozens of times.

My enthusiasm isn’t the same for the books.

I’ve only read three of the original Ian Fleming novels (“Goldfinger,” “From Russia with Love,” and “The Spy who loved me”). And I must confess, reading all three were a chore. I kept looking around for the teacher who had assigned the homework. I had to remind myself t...more

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Jun 09, 2009

Debbie rated it

· review of another edition

I first met James Bond as a young teenager recently graduated from children's books and starting to explore the wide world of adult fiction. And of course I fell in love. Who doesn't at 14? Bond became the benchmark by which all heroes should be measured and I lapped up every adventure Ian Fleming had written.

As my literary tastes matured over the years (not to mention my feminist awareness) I began to read more widely, more deeply and more intelligently. Sebastian Faulks' Birdsong w...moreI first met James Bond as a young teenager recently graduated from children's books and starting to explore the wide world of adult fiction. And of course I fell in love. Who doesn't at 14? Bond became the benchmark by which all heroes should be measured and I lapped up every adventure Ian Fleming had written.

As my literary tastes matured over the years (not to mention my feminist awareness) I began to read more widely, more deeply and more intelligently. Sebastian Faulks' Birdsong was one of many beautifully written books I read, and yet my Bond books remained on my bookshelf and '007' remained carved on a part of my heart.

These books have a special place in my life, so it was with some distaste that I heard that Sebastian Faulks was writing a new James Bond novel. I don't like books written as spin-offs of another author's character, even fully sanctioned spin-offs. Sebastian Faulks' writing was the cheese to Ian Fleming's chalk. This could never work and I wasn't going to betray James Bond by reading this presumptious book.

Then it started getting good reviews. Reviews from people who love Ian Fleming's Bond. A frisson of curiosity started to undermine my resistance. Then, a few weeks ago, there it was, in the library where I work. Just asking to be picked up and taken home and read. Who am I to resist the clarion call of a lonely book? I started it yesterday.

And finished it today. And loved it! Sebastian Faulks has captured the very essence of Ian Fleming's writing and he has written this book with love. All the little nuances that brought Fleming's novels to life are here alongside the main plot themes. The detailed description of food, clothing, place. A deformed villain and high technology. A plot of gargantuan proportions. A beautiful woman and fast cars. Pain and torture and death. And Faulks has very cleverly added a twentieth century sensibility to this novel, even though it takes place immediately after the last of Fleming's novels ends. The villain holds a grudge against Britain, and the litany of imperialistic wrongs he despises Britain for are not invented. Thus Faulks's book is not a black and white case of good vs evil, but the moral greyness is very subtle and enhances rather than detracts from the story.

In the words of M himself, "Come in 007, it's good to see you back."

(less)

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Feb 05, 2009

Bookmarks Magazine added it

Though several critics questioned the Fleming estate's choice of author, literary novelist Sebastian Faulks does a passable job of mimicking the master and his straightforward, action-packed style. Bond, the unapologetic playboy and quintessential secret agent, still relies on wit, charm, and quick reflexes to carry the day. Bond enthusiasts will encounter old friends like M and Moneypenny, and new characters will seem strangely familiar, having been closely modeled on Fleming's former creations

...more

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Jul 28, 2009

Kelley rated it

As others have pointed out, Sebastian Faulks is the 4th author to carry on the Bond series since Fleming died: Kingsley Amis, John Gardner, Raymond Benson, and now Faulks. Gardner's novels had a character named James Bond, but the style was all wrong. Benson was closer, but still not quite right. Faulks has managed to capture much of the "Fleming Sweep" and style and may very well turn into the best "continuer" of the series. He shows great promise.

The best a...more

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Jun 30, 2009

LindyLouMac rated it

· review of another edition

http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/7244...

A quick fun read for fans of James Bond. Set back in the late sixties during the cold war we are treated to all the elements of an exciting Bond story, exotic locations, incredible stunts and a sinister villain of course not forgetting a beautiful heroine. This time the heroine is Scarlett who turns out to be not quite what Bond had expected!

Sebastian Faulks is an author whose novels I have always enjoyed reading. As for the char...more

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Jun 24, 2009

Bryan Waters rated it

I enjoy the Bond series and am fan of Ian Fleming. Sebastian did such a phenomenal job at recreating the Bond mystique that I was hooked from the beginning. The writing style was smooth enough that I would lose track of the mechanical act of reading and become immersed in the story.

But I'm confused. Maybe i'm making too much of it but the novel is set during the days of the Vietnam war and there are quite a few references to Tehran being in Persia with not a single reference to Ir...more

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Feb 02, 2011

Jason rated it

Shelves: fiction

Not entirely bad. There were a few parts that were a little dry...

Case 1: In Devil May Care, Sebastian Faulks writes as Ian Fleming. "as Ian Fleming?" Personally, I don't think this novel read like a Fleming. Some parts, maybe; others, certainly not. Faulk's Bond's dialect didn't truly capture Fleming's Bond's dialogue(just something about it). He's not a bad writer, he's actually good, he just should have not tried to force himself to write with Fleming's style.

...more

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Aug 03, 2011

Steve Mitchell rated it

· review of another edition

The latest James Bond novel by Sebastian Faulks takes place about two years after the events that Ian Fleming wrote about in The Man With the Golden Gun. Faulks's style is pretty close to Fleming's; he even manages to get in some ridiculous plot devices with gaping holes that really do not make sense. He also manages to capture Fleming's brilliant prose style that made the reader eager to turn every page and not dwell on how silly things were until the end. (Fleming and Faulks both started life ...more

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Nov 04, 2010

Zare rated it

Although I agree with reviewers stating that this is not Ian Fleming original novel - from the writers point of view (I mean only person capable of writing like Ian Fleming is Ian Fleming himself, right) - this book has that Bond-like touch :) It reads very fast (I finished it in couple of hours) and has a very interesting story (villain seems to be somewhere between dr.No and Bloefeld IMHO :). Story takes place where Fleming has stopped (Bond has avenged the death of his wife and is still consi...more

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Aug 16, 2010

Tyler Hill rated it

Shelves: read-in-2010

About a year ago, I powered my way through all of Ian Flemming's James Bond novels. And, then immediately tried to read this. Unfortunately, when directly compared to Flemming's work, something seemed a little off. So, I stopped after maybe only 20 pages.

A week or so ago, I figured I'd give it another try. And now, with some distance between me and the original books, I found that this held up a little better and more satisfying. That said, my 4-star rating is in comparison to the o...more

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Jul 14, 2009

Corey rated it

Faulks, while closely adhering to Fleming's streamlined style, works more of a 21st sensibility into the proceedings. Fairly absent is the casual racism that marred Fleming's works, a product of their time that always left me a little queasy. Faulks' take on the secret agent shows a little alteration as well. This Bond is slower to anger, more aware of others. Less of a sociopath, I'd guess you'd say, and a little closer to the movie Bonds in spirit. This has its good points and less-than-good p...more

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Aug 08, 2011

Sean Wylie rated it

This is old school Bond written by a modern day writer. Does a really good job of picking up the threads of the story where Ian Fleming left off. Although the writing is just not quite as good as Ian Fleming, and this writer has the disadvantage of having 40 years worth of films that have altered the character of James Bond from the original stories. As you would expect the characters and the plot are unique and over the top (the Villain's left hand is a monkey paw for example). Certainly a ...more

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Jul 08, 2008

Michael rated it

Shelves: read-in-2008

With the blessing of Ian Fleming's estate, "Devil May Care" picks up where the Fleming Bond novels left off. And despite creating a potentially intereting adversary for Bond, the novel seems to be trying too hard to recapture the writing style and the time piece instead of what made the Fleming written Bond novels a pleasure to read.

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Aug 11, 2011

Derek rated it

· review of another edition

Just alright. Bond by the numbers. Nothing like as good or as interesting as the original Fleming books. (Even The Spy Who Loved Me is better). The tennis match between the middle aged Bond and Gorner near the start was just ridiculous - nothing like as good as Bond's golf game with Goldfinger.

The locations are handled well, and the pace is about right.

Bloody awful twist at the end. And I don't know why he bothered to include Leiter if he couldn't think of a less contrived way to get him in.

Over...more

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Aug 11, 2009

Bob rated it

A bit more than ok, but flawed. I got the twist before Bond did (at least I knew things weren't what they seemed) and I really felt that he'd have been dead long before Faulks got to him if he couldn't spot the obvious.
That being said, I loved the trick of having a villan who could say so many truthful things about the British Empire and make it so clear what kind of world Bond actually worked in. There is a story that a BBC reporter first explained to Tony Blair who Mossadegh was and that...more

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Apr 29, 2009

Ed rated it

The idea of setting a James Bond book in 1967, a year after the last book was published, was an inspired one. And the first third of Devil May Care recalls not so much Ian Fleming as the old Bond movies. Great. But the book goes on to crib from the things from the Bond films that fans like me would like to see left out in the cold for good. The villain here has a monkey's paw for a hand which just gives ammo to all the Bond haters out there. It doesn't help. The bad guy's plot is not wholly orig...more

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Aug 04, 2011

Mark Cichonski added it

Pretty cool Bond novel. Since it is the newest Bond novel, thought it would take place after the last movie, but it seems hard to figure out the Bond timeline. Bond remembers things from older movies, but the fact that Felix has been wounded by a shark is pretty noted, so again, not sure where we were. The action is pretty good, but the twist is somewhat predictable. There is a heavy emphasis on food and drink, which makes you feel like you are there hanging out with Bond. The villain is ve...more

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Jan 07, 2009

Patrick rated it

This is an Official James Bond novel and it's harmless enough. Very formulaic — Sebastian Faulks creates an Evil Genius (with Weird Defect) and an Evil Henchman of Sinister Ethnic Origin, and sets up an early Battle of Wits (a tennis match in which the Evil Genius cheats but Bond beats him anyway, a la Goldfinger).

And, of course, a beautiful girl.

There is far too much plot getting in the way of the story; too many peripheral characters doing things far away from the scene...more

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Jun 10, 2008

Martin rated it

A pretty good romp in the Bond tradition. Faulks said following Fleming's lead he churned out 2000 words a day for 6 weeks, but abstained from the cocktails that fueled the original works. A pity, as Devil May Care could have benefited from a little less restraint. Good summer fun though.

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About Sebastian Faulks

Faulks is the son of Pamela (Lawless) and Peter Ronald Faulks, a Berkshire solicitor who later became a judge. He grew up in Newbury. His mother was both cultured and highly strung. She introduced him to reading and music at a young age. Her own mother, from whom she was estranged, had been an actress in repertory. His father was a company commander in the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, in which h...moreFaulks is the son of Pamela (Lawless) and Peter Ronald Faulks, a Berkshire solicitor who later became a judge. He grew up in Newbury. His mother was both cultured and highly strung. She introduced him to reading and music at a young age. Her own mother, from whom she was estranged, had been an actress in repertory. His father was a company commander in the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, in which he served from 1939 to 1946. He saw action in Holland, France, Tunisia, Italy (at the Anzio landings), Syria and Palestine. He was wounded three times and awarded an immediate MC after an action against the Hermann Goering Parachute Troops in North Africa in 1942.
His maternal grandfather, Philip Henry Lawless, enlisted in the 1st Battalion, 28th county of London Regiment, otherwise known as The Artists' Rifles in 1914, and served in trench warfare on the Western Front until 1917, when he moved to the 26th Battalion Middlesex Regiment and finished the war in Salonika. He was decorated several times and received the Military Cross in 1918, the standard Victory Medal, the British War Medal and the 1914 Star. He eventually left the Army and returned to work as a wine merchant - his father's original occupation.[2]
His paternal grandfather, Major James Faulks (Major was his name, not a military rank) was an accountant who had previously worked as a schoolmaster at a private boarding school in Tunbridge Wells, while Major's provisions merchant father, William Robert Faulks, supplied dairy products in late Victorian Paddington.[2]
Faulks' father wanted him to become a diplomat. He claims his first ambition was to be a taxi driver until at the age of fifteen, while reading George Orwell, he decided to become a novelist instead. In fact, he is the only member of his paternal family not to be a lawyer; his father and uncle were judges and his brother Edward is a QC specialising in medical negligence.
Faulks was educated at the fee-charging Wellington College and studied English at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he won an open exhibition and to which he was elected an honorary fellow in 2007. He took a teaching job at the Dwight-Franklin International School after university while also moving into journalism, becoming a features writer for the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, and was recruited by the Independent as Literary Editor in 1986. He became the Deputy Editor of the Independent on Sunday before leaving in 1991 to concentrate on writing. He has been a columnist for The Guardian (1992-8) and The Evening Standard (1997-9).
He continues to contribute articles and reviews to a number of newspapers and magazines and to broadcast regularly. He wrote and presented the Channel 4 series Churchill's Secret Army, about the wartime Special Operations Executive (SOE), screened in 1999. Faulks is a team captain on BBC Radio 4's literary quiz The Write Stuff.
Faulks lives with his wife, Veronica (formerly his assistant at The Independent), and their three children William, Holly and Arthur . He works from his study in a top floor flat of a house near Holland Park Avenue, ten minutes from his home, starting work at 10am and finishing at 6pm, regardless of whether he is writing a book or not.
He was appointed a CBE in the Birthday Honours List 2002 for "services to Literature" and he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1994.
Faulks supports West Ham United. He writes about this in "Upton and Other Parks," a contribution to the 1990 football book Saturday's Boys.

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