James Bond novels edited to remove racist content

[Canada]

James Bond novels edited to remove racist content

After the Roald Dahl text editing controversy that erupted in recent days, it is now the turn of Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels to be rewritten.

A report in U.K. newspaper The Telegraph reveals that ahead of the reissue of the Bond novels in April to mark 70 years of “Casino Royale,” the first book in the series, rights holders Ian Fleming Publications Ltd commissioned a review by sensitivity readers.

Each book will carry the disclaimer, “This book was written at a time when terms and attitudes which might be considered offensive by modern readers were commonplace. A number of updates have been made in this edition, while keeping as close as possible to the original text and the period in which it is set,” The Telegraph said.

A commonly used pejorative term used for Black people by Fleming, whose Bond books were published between 1951 and 1966, has been removed almost entirely and replaced with “Black person” or “Black man.” In other instances, references have been edited.

For example, in “Live and Let Die” (1954), Bond’s opinion of Africans in the gold and diamond trades as “pretty law-abiding chaps I should have thought, except when they’ve drunk too much” has been altered to “pretty law-abiding chaps I should have thought.”

Another scene in the book, set during a strip tease at a Harlem nightclub, was originally “Bond could hear the audience panting and grunting like pigs at the trough. He felt his own hands gripping the tablecloth. His mouth was dry.” This has been revised to “Bond could sense the electric tension in the room.” A segment in the book describing accented dialogue as “straight Harlem-Deep South with a lot of New York thrown in,” has been removed.

In several of the books, including “Thunderball” (1961), “Quantum of Solace” (1960) and “Goldfinger” (1959), ethnicities have been removed. The edits to the U.S. edition of “Live and Let Die” were authorized by Fleming himself. Fleming died in 1964.

Ian Fleming Publications told The Telegraph: “We at Ian Fleming Publications reviewed the text of the original Bond books and decided our best course of action was to follow Ian’s lead. We have made changes to ‘Live and Let Die’ that he himself authorized.

“Following Ian’s approach, we looked at the instances of several racial terms across the books and removed a number of individual words or else swapped them for terms that are more accepted today but in keeping with the period in which the books were written.

“We encourage people to read the books for themselves when the new paperbacks are published in April.”

Variety has reached out to Ian Fleming Publications for comment.

The James Bond films are one of the most successful franchises of all time, grossing a combined $7.8 billion. The last film “No Time to Die,” which released in 2021, marked the retirement of Daniel Craig from the role.

[bhampton]

I'm moving back to the 80s.

Some folks think the solution to problems is pretending they never existed. I don't think that actually works but I guess they are trying sort of.

[stvn1974]

I just saw this. I guess I should start getting the paperbacks of my favorite books that I don't already have soon. I am sure the Peanuts comic strips are next since the other kids are mean to Charlie Brown. Garfield is also probably not safe since he is fat.

[Darmok1004]

Just picked up the 14 book set and just in time, people are snatching it up on eBay and other places quickly.

[Buster Friendly]

Originally Posted by Canada

James Bond novels edited to remove racist content

If you're going to quote something at least tell us the source please.

[Canada]

Variety

[Monterey Jack]

Here's what I have to say about that...

For Your Eyes Only - No Head For Heights (1981) HD - YouTube

[Buster Friendly]

Maybe they could start editing the racism and sexism out of future re-issues of the films too. Can't see that there would be anybody who had any issues with them doing that.

[Michael24]

Phew! Glad I got my complete set over 10 years ago. Don't have to worry about this non-sense.

Also, how on Earth could these changes be approved by Ian Fleming when the man died back in the 60s?!

[Hitman Horton]

I have absolutely no interest in these at all. I've never seen any of the movies and don't plan on it. They just don't interest me.

Having said that, this is pretty ridiculous. I hope everybody can find the unaltered versions that wants them.

[Buster Friendly]

If they're going to start taking racism and sexism out of books then shouldn't they start with the best selling books first?

Now I wonder what the best selling book in the world might be and why that isn't being tackled before Fleming and Dr Seuss?

[Cardboard_killer]

Originally Posted by Buster Friendly

Now I wonder what the best selling book in the world might be and why that isn't being tackled before Fleming and Dr Seuss?

The Bible. And if you started editing out the racism and misogyny, you'd be left with a pamphlet.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by Hitman Horton

I have absolutely no interest in these at all. I've never seen any of the movies and don't plan on it. They just don't interest me.

Having said that, this is pretty ridiculous. I hope everybody can find the unaltered versions that wants them.

You have no idea what it is but you know you don't want it.

My kids are the same way. My daughter knows she does not like Star Wars while having seen none of it and knowing nothing whatsoever about it.

I guess there's stuff you do like so no problem.

The Steaming versions of the films can be edited but my blu ray versions are forever.

[Hitman Horton]

Originally Posted by bhampton

You have no idea what it is but you know you don't want it.

My kids are the same way. My daughter knows she does not like Star Wars while having seen none of it and knowing nothing whatsoever about it.

I guess there's stuff you do like so no problem.

The Steaming versions of the films can be edited but my blu ray versions are forever.

I never said I have no idea what it is.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by Hitman Horton

I never said I have no idea what it is.

ok. no problem. Sorry.

I know what I like but I guess I sometimes forget that I don't care with other people like and don't like.

[KrugerIndustrial]

Originally Posted by Darmok1004

Just picked up the 14 book set and just in time, people are snatching it up on eBay and other places quickly.

Which set is that? I would like to get hardcover versions with the original covers, but I think those were limited (First Edition Library) and have since been sold out. Has anyone purchased the Folio Society versions, any good?

[jess1581]

Forget wars, and holocausts, depressions, and pandemics, feelings are the most devastating thing in the history of ever.

[Darmok1004]

IMG_2626.jpg

Originally Posted by krugerindustrial

which set is that? I would like to get hardcover versions with the original covers, but i think those were limited (first edition library) and have since been sold out. Has anyone purchased the folio society versions, any good?