No Mr Bond, I expect you to be politically correct! 007 set for a makeover as author of latest novel suggests chain-smoking and sexist spy could be on the way out 

  • Anthony Horowitz says new 007 book Trigger Mortis is for modern readers
  • The book contains anti-smoking messages and an 'outspoken' gay friend
  • But he has had to work carefully to preserve 007’s characters and attitude 

By Jessica Fleig For The Daily Mail

Published: 19:57 EST, 8 September 2015 | Updated: 20:14 EST, 8 September 2015

The image of a smooth-talking, chain-smoking and sexist James Bond may be a thing of the past as the latest 007 novel gives him a politically-correct makeover.

Author Anthony Horowitz has revealed the new book Trigger Mortis has been amended for modern readers and contains anti-smoking messages and for the first time an ‘outspoken’ gay friend.

Horowitz admitted that while doing so he has had to work carefully to preserve 007’s characters and attitude as created by the spy novel’s first author Ian Fleming, who died in 1964.

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The image of a smooth-talking  and sexist James Bond may be a thing of the past as the latest 007 novel gives him a politically-correct makeover. Sean Connery and Shirley Eaton are shown in this scene from Goldfinger

The image of a smooth-talking  and sexist James Bond may be a thing of the past as the latest 007 novel gives him a politically-correct makeover. Sean Connery and Shirley Eaton are shown in this scene from Goldfinger

As the younger generation begins to frown on Bond’s chauvinistic attitudes and unhealthy lifestyle in the era of political correctness, Fleming has introduced a cast of new characters who will point out the error of his ways.

Included will be messages about smoking causing cancer and women who give the charmer a run for his money as ‘little twists’ have been added to make the story suitable for the modern reader.

For the first time a Bond girl’s storyline will be followed beyond her fleeting experience with 007, with the return of Pussy Galore.

In the book, Galore moves in with Bond in London and together they spend their mornings squabbling.

Horowitz, speaking to radio station RTE, said he was keen to keep the new Bond true to the 1950s creation.

But he added that there was an unavoidable issue with the original plot, because Pussy Galore was cast as a lesbian who cannot help but be overcome with lust for Bond.

Author Anthony Horowitz has revealed the new book contains anti-smoking messages. Sean Connery is pictured as 007 smoking a cigar in Never Say Never Again

Author Anthony Horowitz has revealed the new book contains anti-smoking messages. Sean Connery is pictured as 007 smoking a cigar in Never Say Never Again

‘The book is true to the character and keeps him as fans would want him, which is as the original hard-bitten guy,’ he said.

‘But then it always challenges and nudges and says “well wait a minute”.

‘One of the challenges of writing the book was that attitude that a heterosexual man can change a woman’s life and make her go weak at the knees.

‘That’s something that would be challenged, I think, in the 21st century.

‘So it’s how do you square that circle? How do you remain true to the original creation and concept and yet at the same time not offend people in the 21st century?

‘If you read Trigger Mortis, you’ll see actually there is a little twist to the tale in that particular story which I think sort of pays him off for his slightly patronising attitude.’

Horowitz, who has been given access to Fleming’s own notes for his research, has based the couple in 1957 Chelsea annoying each other over their boiled eggs with ‘an uneasy silence full of dark thoughts and words unsaid’.

Despite changing attitudes Horowitz defended Fleming’s books which he says are ‘of their time’.

Author Anthony Horowitz (pictured) admitted that while writing his book he has had to work carefully to preserve 007’s characters and attitude as created by the spy novel’s first author Ian Fleming, who died in 1964
Author Anthony Horowitz admitted that while writing his book (pictured) he has had to work carefully to preserve 007’s characters and attitude as created by the spy novel’s first author Ian Fleming, who died in 1964

Author Anthony Horowitz (left) admitted that while writing his book (right) he has had to work carefully to preserve 007’s characters and attitude as created by the spy novel’s first author Ian Fleming, who died in 1964

Explaining how he adjusted the novel, he said: ‘I think the answer is that in the book I remain true to every one of Bond’s things.

‘He does smoke cigarettes, he smokes many, many cigarettes.

‘But then what I do is I nudge him with a little reference to a newspaper article he happens to glance at which just reminds him that these things will give him cancer.

‘With women, he has this sort of patronising carnal attitude with them which is absolutely accurate to the Bond of the books. But then by creating very strong women he is given quite a run for his money and his attitudes are challenged.

‘I also gave him a very outspoken gay friend, who chides him and says “come on Bond, you’re living in the 20th century now not the Middle Ages”.

‘My first duty, my first responsibility was to be true to the original feel of the book, to be true to Ian Fleming: his creation, his world and his ideas.

‘What I was trying to do was wrap myself in his mantle and write a book that would be worthy of him.’

Trigger Mortis was released yesterday ahead of the release of the latest Bond film Spectre which is out in cinemas on October 26. 

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