James Bond books to see changes as franchise celebrates Casino Royale's 70th anniversary
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It’s been 70 years since Ian Fleming first published Casino Royale, setting off a wave of international best-sellers and fan-favourite movies.
To mark this milestone, Fleming’s family company Ian Fleming Publications Ltd, announced a new edition of the books, with the author’s works undergoing ‘very small’ changes.
‘In 1953, when Ian Fleming began to write his second James Bond novel, Live and Let Die, a youthful Queen Elizabeth had just ascended the throne, Winston Churchill was Prime Minister and Jamaica, where much of the plot is set, was still nine years away from gaining its independence from the British Empire. In short, the world was a very different place than it is now,’ the company said.
‘Published a year later in Britain, Fleming’s text drew little comment from his editors. Yet, ahead of publication in the US in 1955, Al Hart, editor at Fleming’s US publisher, Macmillan, suggested several changes to Live and Let Die. Some of these corrected minor factual errors. Others deleted or changed passages or words Hart felt were racially troubling, even then.’
‘Fleming approved all the changes, and the version of Live and Let Die published in America was therefore different from the British edition, and from his letters, it seems Fleming preferred the amended US version.’
When a hardback edition of Live and Let Die was published in 2017 by Vintage Books, which previously held rights to Fleming’s works, the same sentiment was honoured in US editions with a foreword explaining differences spotted in the text.
Ian Fleming Publications Ltd, which now has the literary copyright to the author’s works again, announced that it would pursue a similar path in 2022. But then came questions as to how they would do it.
‘As the author’s literary estate and now publishers, what responsibility did we have, if any, to review the original texts?’ they said.
‘We consulted with a number of external parties but ultimately decided that, rather than making changes in line with their advice, it was instead most appropriate to look for guidance from the author himself. The original US version of Live and Let Die, approved and apparently favoured by Ian, had removed some racial terms which were problematic even in mid-1950s America, and would certainly be considered deeply offensive now by the vast majority of readers.’
Despite the decision, the company admitted it didn’t mean perusing each line of text to see what ‘had the potential to offend’.
‘We thus decided to apply the sensibilities of the original US edition of Live and Let Die consistently, across all the texts,’ they said.
According to reports, such changes include removing descriptions of people of African descent being described as the ‘N-word’. However, the UK tabloid The Sun notes that other ‘dated’ references to other ethnicities as well as women and homosexuality, remain present.
‘Some racial words likely to cause great offence now, and detract from a reader’s enjoyment, have been altered, while keeping as close as possible to the original text and the period,’ they said.
The company also said that the effort would leave some of Fleming’s other works untouched.
‘The changes are very small in number. Indeed some books, including Casino Royale, remain completely unaltered.’
‘We are certain Ian Fleming would approve these edits, just as he approved the changes to the US edition of Live and Let Die, and we encourage people to read the books for themselves when the new paperbacks are published in April.’
Live and Let Die and Casino Royale are among the most popular of Ian Fleming’s works in the James Bond books, which chronicle the adventures of the titular fictional spy working for the UK’s secret service.
Fleming, who died in 1964 at the age of 56, penned 14 James Bond books and some short stories in total.
This development comes just as similar changes were made to fellow author Roald Dahl’s works, which sparked massive criticism over concerns that the move was unnecessary.
What do you think about this news? Do you agree with this decision, apparently in keeping with Fleming’s wishes?
Let us know in the comments below!
Note: We are issuing a gentle reminder to remain kind and respectful with your comments on this matter. Any that are deemed inappropriate or offensive will be removed.
To mark this milestone, Fleming’s family company Ian Fleming Publications Ltd, announced a new edition of the books, with the author’s works undergoing ‘very small’ changes.
‘In 1953, when Ian Fleming began to write his second James Bond novel, Live and Let Die, a youthful Queen Elizabeth had just ascended the throne, Winston Churchill was Prime Minister and Jamaica, where much of the plot is set, was still nine years away from gaining its independence from the British Empire. In short, the world was a very different place than it is now,’ the company said.
‘Published a year later in Britain, Fleming’s text drew little comment from his editors. Yet, ahead of publication in the US in 1955, Al Hart, editor at Fleming’s US publisher, Macmillan, suggested several changes to Live and Let Die. Some of these corrected minor factual errors. Others deleted or changed passages or words Hart felt were racially troubling, even then.’
‘Fleming approved all the changes, and the version of Live and Let Die published in America was therefore different from the British edition, and from his letters, it seems Fleming preferred the amended US version.’
Live and Let Die is among Ian Fleming’s novels confirmed to have ‘small changes’. Image Credit: Instagram/@ianflemings007
When a hardback edition of Live and Let Die was published in 2017 by Vintage Books, which previously held rights to Fleming’s works, the same sentiment was honoured in US editions with a foreword explaining differences spotted in the text.
Ian Fleming Publications Ltd, which now has the literary copyright to the author’s works again, announced that it would pursue a similar path in 2022. But then came questions as to how they would do it.
‘As the author’s literary estate and now publishers, what responsibility did we have, if any, to review the original texts?’ they said.
‘We consulted with a number of external parties but ultimately decided that, rather than making changes in line with their advice, it was instead most appropriate to look for guidance from the author himself. The original US version of Live and Let Die, approved and apparently favoured by Ian, had removed some racial terms which were problematic even in mid-1950s America, and would certainly be considered deeply offensive now by the vast majority of readers.’
Ian Fleming's works were later continued by other writers, though his are among the most widely regarded in the James Bond series. Image Credit: Seniors Discount Club
Despite the decision, the company admitted it didn’t mean perusing each line of text to see what ‘had the potential to offend’.
‘We thus decided to apply the sensibilities of the original US edition of Live and Let Die consistently, across all the texts,’ they said.
According to reports, such changes include removing descriptions of people of African descent being described as the ‘N-word’. However, the UK tabloid The Sun notes that other ‘dated’ references to other ethnicities as well as women and homosexuality, remain present.
‘Some racial words likely to cause great offence now, and detract from a reader’s enjoyment, have been altered, while keeping as close as possible to the original text and the period,’ they said.
Ian Fleming Publications Ltd said their decision was per his and his family’s wishes. Image Credit: Instagram/ianflemings007
The company also said that the effort would leave some of Fleming’s other works untouched.
‘The changes are very small in number. Indeed some books, including Casino Royale, remain completely unaltered.’
‘We are certain Ian Fleming would approve these edits, just as he approved the changes to the US edition of Live and Let Die, and we encourage people to read the books for themselves when the new paperbacks are published in April.’
Fleming, who died in 1964 at the age of 56, penned 14 James Bond books and some short stories in total.
This development comes just as similar changes were made to fellow author Roald Dahl’s works, which sparked massive criticism over concerns that the move was unnecessary.
What do you think about this news? Do you agree with this decision, apparently in keeping with Fleming’s wishes?
Let us know in the comments below!
Note: We are issuing a gentle reminder to remain kind and respectful with your comments on this matter. Any that are deemed inappropriate or offensive will be removed.
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