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'007' NOT NO. 1 ON CENTRE COURT

New Bond novel shows even '007' has to age sometime

Date published: 6/29/2008

WHEN THE Ian Fleming estate decided to mark the centenary of Fleming's birth with a new James Bond novel, the search for the author to write the book was well, the literary equivalent of the cinematic search for the next actor to play '007.' Though not as highly publicized or debated as say Roger Moore versus Sean Connery, the selection of British author Sebastian Faulks generated publicity and, conversely, an intense scrutiny of the finished product.

Faulks' effort, "Devil May Care," is equal to the difficult task of attempting to add to the much-cherished canon of James Bond novels. After a bit of a slow beginning, the book finds its footing and proves to be an enjoyable read that is well-suited for summer vacations.

Faulks really could've made a name for himself, in fact a legacy, if he had taken his opening thread of Bond contemplating retirement and pulled it to the most unexpected conclusion with an old, tired and emotionally scarred 007 hanging up his Berretta and framing his license to kill in a corner of his home office next to his fishing rod and tackle box. Instead Faulks gives the people what they want and introduces a new love interest, as well as the villain Dr. Julius Gorner, who has a simian paw and cheats at tennis.

Faulks invests a great deal of time in the tennis match between Bond and Gorner, but it is as entertaining as any passage in the book and it doesn't need a jet loaded with nuclear bombs or Gorner's sidekick, who has a penchant for mating chopsticks with eardrums.

"Gorner bounced the tennis ball in front of him with his racquet once, twice, three times, then started to turn round, like a dog when it makes its bed. When he'd completed a 360-degree circle, he threw the ball high with his left hand and kept the arm, with its large white glove, extended until the last second--when the racquet smashed through and sent the ball thudding down the centre line. So put out was Bond by the whole procedure that he had barely moved."

Bond is necessarily older in this installment of the series and his initial lack of agility in the face of Gorner on the tennis court continues to hound him as he attempts the feats of his 007 youth. We don't want James to retire or be "on the wagon," as he is when the book opens, but we do need to concede that Bond isn't a superhero and Faulks recognizes this.

"Devil May Care" is fun, and it succeeds as a tribute to James Bond and also as a tribute to Ian Fleming.

Drew Gallagher is a freelance reviewer living in Spotsylvania County.

DEVIL MAY CARE By Sebastian Faulks (Doubleday, $24.95)

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Date published: 6/29/2008