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SilverFin (2005) - The Young James Bond
Series by Charlie Higson: Book One
| Author: |
Charlie Higson |
| Published: |
3rd March 2005 (UK), 27th April 2005 (USA) |
| MI6 Rating: |
 |
Data Stream
| Villains: |
Lord Hellebore, George Hellebore, henchmen. |
| Plot: |
Developing the Silverfin serum to create supersoliders
to further profit from war |
| Bond Girls: |
Wilder Lawless |
| Allies: |
Red Kelly, Meatpacker Moran, Mr Merriot, Aunt Charmain |
| Locations: |
Eton, England; Kent, England; Fort William, Scotland;
Scottish Highlands |
| Highlights: |
The race, learning to drive, torture with the serum |
Capsule Synopsis
James Bond is thirteen and just about to start at Eton having
been educated at home by his Aunt Charmain since the death
of his parents. The first adventure takes James to a remote
Scottish castle where a wealthy American has been conducting
some very disturbing experiments...
SilverFin
MI6 Review
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Above: 1st edition Puffin paperback
(UK). Cover photograph by Peter Dazeley |
Official Blurb (Puffin UK Edition)
Before the name became a legend. Before the boy became the
man. Meet James Bond. SilverFin - the first Young Bond title by
Charlie Higson. Get to know the teenager who became the world's
most iconic spy. With an authentic '30s setting and meticulous
research, Charlie Higson has created a teenage James Bond who
is absolutely true to Ian Fleming's creation. There is action,
adventure, a terrifying villain and, of course, a beautiful girl.
Official Blurb (Hyperion USA Edition)
This thrilling prequel to the James Bond dynasty shows young
James at boarding school at Eton in the 1930's, where he spent
his formative years. Acclaimed British writer Charlie Higson,
with the Ian Fleming Estate, writes an edge-of-your seat thriller
that brilliantly plants the seeds to show how young James learns
the skills that will eventually make him history's most formidable
and suave super spy. The dark waters around a Scottish castle
hold a sinister secret... SilverFin. SilverFin is deadly. SilverFin
is the future. One man with a thirst for power will use it. whatever
the cost. One boy stands in his way. His name is Bond, James Bond.
Chapter Listing
Part 1: Eton
- The New Boy
- Lord Hellebore
- Croaker
- Ward's Mead
- False Start
- The Race
- Red Kelly
- Daddy's Gone A'Hunting
Part 2: SCOTLAND
- Max Bond
- The Bamford & Martin Sidevalve, Short Chassis
Tourer
- We Don't Like the English Round Here
- The Black MIre
- Meatpacker
- The Massacre of the Innocents
- Boy Racer
- Nobody Can Hold A Bond Forever
- Strange Catch
- Monsters Can't See You in the Dark
Part 3: THE CASTLE
- Alone
- The Sargasso Sea
- Hell Will Endure
- The Gadarene Swine
- Into the Dark
- A Lonely Death
- Sure as the Sunrise
- Go to Hell
- The Fist Closes
- On Agar's Plough
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Synopsis
A young impressionable James Bond sets out on his latest
advantage in this new series of Young Bond books. After
losing both his parents to a climbing accident, James Bond
is left with his aunt Charmain who has been his guidance
and teacher. James arrives at the highly prestigious Eton
for his first year of school. Quickly becoming accustomed
to the tradition and rules that keep Eton running smoothly,
James makes friends with ease. However, when he is confronted
by a notorious school bully, George Hellebore and his father
(and Eton patron) Randolph Hellebore, things take a turn
for the worse.
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Above: 1st edition Miramax paperback
(USA).
Above: 1st edition Miramax hardback
(USA).
|
UK
Publisher: Puffin
Format: Paperback
Pages: 384
Released: March 3rd 2005
Buy
Now |
USA
Publisher: Miramax Books
Format: Hardback
Pages: 352
Released: April 27th 2005
Buy
Now |
USA
Publisher: Miramax Books
Format: Paperback
Pages: 352
Released: April 1st 2006
Buy
Now |
|
Encouraged by his sports teacher Mr Merriot
to enter a cross country race, James catches George and
his father cheating to win the race, and after beating the
Hellebore's at their, George suffers the wrath his father
and further sets the two boys against each other.
With the school year coming to a close, James heads home
to his aunt and uncle's house in the highlands of Scotland
where his advantage truly begins. On the long journey to
Scotland, James meets Red Kelly - a street wise Londoner
who is a couple of years his senior. Red is heading to Scotland
to help his family look for his missing cousin Alfie. James
comes to Red's aid as they board the train, and the favour
is returned when James runs into George who is also traveling
to Scotland to the Hellebore's castle.
Upon returning to his aunt's house, James spends time with
his ailing Uncle Max, and learns of his role during the
Great War as a spy. Max teaches James the virtues of fishing
and helps James discover the joys of driving. Young James
falls in love with his first car which he later inherits
from his uncle.
James agrees to help Red look for his missing cousin, Alfie
Kelly, and while investigating the young boys run into a
several memorable characters, of which Wilder Lawless and
her horse Martini are two. They come to James' aid when
escaping Lord Hellebore's castle and make a lasting impression
on both James and Red.
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Above: American hardback cover art
USA
Publisher: Thorndike Press
Format: Large Print Hardback
Pages: 514
Released: November 14th 2005
Buy
Now |
Soon the two boys make a disturbing discovery about George's
father and his secret work at the castle and its effects on the
wildlife in the adjacent loch Silverfin. It soon becomes apparent
that Lord Hellebore has become delusional and is up to no good
developing a new super solider serum named Silverfin. Randolph
approves the test of the serum on this family and any adventurers
who stray too close to the Hellebore residence. After discovering
how twisted Randolph has become, James and Red break into the
castle. Red breaks his leg and leaves James to go it alone. James
is captured and learns of the true horrors of Lord Hellebore's
scheme, and convinces George that his father's plans are evil,
and both boys work together to destroy this surreal project.
Quotes
A man stood there glaring at him and, despite the fact that
he was short, shorter even than some of the boys, he has
an air of self-importance about him.
"Yes, sir?"
"What's your name, boy?"
"Bond, James Bond."
"James Bond - sir."
"Yes. Sorry Sir."
"It's a marvelous thing, the internal combustion engine,"
he said, gazing lovingly at the oily block of metal. "It's
going to change the world."
"I'm a detective. From the Pinkerton Detective Agency
in America."
"We never sleep!' said James.
"Huh?"
"That's your motto, isn't it? 'We Never Sleep.' I've
read about Pinkerton's.
"That's right," said Meatpacker. 'We Never Sleep'"
"Damn you, boy!" bellowed the lord. "Damn
you to hell. You have caused me a great deal of trouble,
and before I kill you I'm going to thrash every scrap of
skin on your body."
James spat at him and got him right in the eye. |
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Above: Draft artwork for the American
hardback edition. This was later replaced by a version based
on the British cover. |
| Audio Book
UK
Author Charlie Higson has narrated the abridged SilverFin
audio book on CD (cover art opposite). The SilverFin audio
book is priced at £12.99 (RRP) and is available in
the UK.
Publisher: Puffin
Format: CD
Released: March 3rd 2005
Buy
Now
USA
English actor Nathaniel Parker narrates the USA edition
of the SilverFin audiobook. Unlike the UK edition, the US
release is an unabridged edition. The CD retails for $37.00
(RRP).
Publisher: Listening Library (Random House)
Format: CD
Released: April 11th 2006
Buy
Now
Right: UK (above) and USA (below)
cover art for the respective audiobook releases.
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