Review: FOREVER AND A DAY, by Anthony Horowitz

FOREVER AND A DAY, by Anthony Horowitz

HarperCollins Canada - Available November 6, 2018

Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for the Advance Reading Copy which was provided in exchange for an honest review.

 

 My Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐

FOREVER AND A DAY is the exciting prequel to Ian Flemming’s CASINO ROYAL, this book was filled with all the thrills and chills we have come to expect from the James Bond/007 franchise.

When his predecessor is found dead and floating in a French waterway, James Bond sets off on his first mission as a newly promoted “00” agent - to find those responsible and take them down.

I have never read any of the previous James Bond books, but I have seen all of the movies over the years. I can only imagine that writing in the style of another author, in another era, would be difficult, but if the movies are at all true to the previous books, Horowitz does a fine job of it.  

It is no secret that the movies tend to follow a formula of standard motifs. Many of those standard “Bond formula” features were present in this book (British spy in an international setting, the thrilling high speed chases, the extraordinarily imposing villain, the drawn out and failed attempts to kill Bond, etc.), but, much like the movies, the book was never dull.

James Bond is one of the most iconic literary characters of all time. The original author died 54 years ago, and we are not only still enjoying books and movies featuring the character he created, but they are still being produced!  Since his death, several authors have contributed to legacy - this is Horowitz second contribution to the James Bond series, and everyone seems to have a “favorite Bond actor”. 

 It was interesting to read a novel based on a character as iconic as this, but that I have never read before.  For me, while reading it, my mind’s eye placed Roger Moore in the role. Probably because the first time I was introduced to the character of James Bond, it was while my father watched one of the movies in which Moore was cast as 007.

This book was well worthy of not only adding to the legend of James Bond, but creating his beginning as well.

Happy Reading, 
Christine

Additional Notes:

As life-long, born-and-bred Winnipeg resident, I have a certain affection for the character of James Bond.  It is said that Sir William Stephenson (Code name Intrepid) was a major inspiration to Flemming in the creation of the character.  Stephenson was born in Winnipeg and spent his early years here.  He left as a young man to join the war effort.  Winnipeg has honored the war hero in several ways - even one of its library branches named after the war hero!

Sir William Stephenson Public Library - City of Winnipeg

Sculpture of Sir William Stephenson by Leo Mol in Downtown Winnipeg

Mural titled "A Man Called Intrepid" by Dave Carty in Winnipeg's West End.