Dubai: “The name’s Bond…James Bond”, is probably one of the most famous lines in literary and film history. But what will James Bond’s next adventure be?
Dubai will be the first to know on Tuesday 18 January, when the author of the new Bond book speaks at a special Emirates Festival of Literature event.
Created in 1953 by Ian Fleming – who wrote 12 novels – a number of novels and short stories have been written since the original author’s death, chronicling the secret life of the British spy.
The new James Bond author is none other than Jeffery Deaver – a master of thriller and suspense himself. He will be speaking about his Bond novel “Carte Blanche” (French for “White Card”) from 7.30pm on the 18th at the Al Mamzar Cultural and Scientific Centre.
Deaver is the author of a number of internationally bestselling crime series: he’s best known for his Kathryn Dance and Lincoln Rhyme books, most notably The Bone Collector, which was adapted for film in 1999, starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.
He has also written two award-winning short story collections, as well as stand-alone novels including Garden of Beasts and The Bodies Left Behind, which was named Novel of the Year at the International Thriller Writers’ Awards in 2009.
“I can’t describe the thrill I felt when first approached by Ian Fleming’s estate to ask if I’d be interested in writing the next book in the James Bond series. I began reading them when I was about nine or 10, ignorant of the Cold War politics they explored but enthralled by their sense of adventure and derring-do,” Deaver said.
“Carte Blanche” is due to be published on May 26, to coincide with Fleming’s birthday.
“The Bond books were important parts of my life – both literarily and personally. They appealed to me as wonderful stories but they also stood as singular examples of a thriller writer’s craft. I learned, through osmosis as well as design, much technique from Mr Fleming’s work; compactness, attention to detail, heroic though flawed characters, fast-pacing, concrete imagery and straight-forward prose,” Deaver continued.
Shahnaz Pakravan will be discussing Bond with Deaver, after a live performance of some of the classic spy movie tracks by Celeste.
The author will be signing copies of his existing books and also special book plates for those pre-ordering “Carte Blanche”.
Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is supported by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated authority to promote culture, heritage and the arts.
It will run from March 8-12, 2011 at the InterContinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City and the Cultural and Scientific Centre, Al Mamzar.
Tickets for the evening with James Bond author Jeffery Deaver on January 18, 7.30pm at the the Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association, are still available via the Emirates Lit Fest website.
