Charlie Higson hints at second series of Young Bond novels

25-Apr-2008 • Literary

Author and comedian Charlie Higson is planning to write a new series of novels about the young James Bond - reports the BBC

The new sequence, which has not been officially announced, will explore the previously uncharted territory of Bond's sexual awakening.

"I want to have a break and do some other stuff for a while. But I'd love to come back and write some more," Higson told BBC News.

His first Bond novel Silverfin became a hit after it was published in 2005.

Fast Show star Higson was given the licence to write the Young Bond children's books by the family of Bond creator Ian Fleming.

The fifth and final book of the sequence, By Royal Command, is due out in September.

The books - aimed at under 14s - follow the exploits of the teenage Bond, who is first encountered as a 13-year-old orphan newly arrived at Eton in the early 1930s.

"By Royal Command ends with James Bond leaving Eton an older and wiser boy," Higson said.

"One thing I've been talking about possibly doing is a second sequence of books for a slightly older readership, maybe taking him up to and into World War II.

"He's approaching the age of 15 in this latest book and I couldn't continue writing this type of book for this age group with Bond at the age he is."

Although Higson is putting the final touches to By Royal Command, it is clear he is unwilling to abandon his ties with the youthful Bond.

"As each book has been more and more successful, everybody is asking 'can you do more than that?'" he said.

"The question of sex is the hardest thing - one of the facts we get from one of Bond short stories is that he lost his virginity aged 16 in a brothel in Paris.

"I don't think I can quite get away with that for a 10-year-old reader."

Asked if the French brothel would feature in the first of the new "older Bond" books, Higson said: "It would certainly be part of the next sequence - I think we would see a bit more of what was going on there."

He added: "It's been fantastic writing these books, I would hate to sever my partnership with the world of Bond. I know quite a lot of the Fleming family now, and they're all fantastic."

Higson says he will take a break from Bond and write some original books of his own as he has a three-book deal with Puffin.

Meanwhile, his fourth young Bond novel Hurricane Gold is due out in paperback on 28 May - the centenary of Ian Fleming's birth.

Also published on the same day is a new adult 007 adventure, Devil May Care, by Sebastian Faulks.

Thanks to `Daniel` & `Paul` for the alerts.