I picked up a copy of the new James Bond book on Wednesday evening, after unfruitful trips to a couple of bookshops where it had sold out I had given up trying to find one and thought I would wait until I could get one from Amazon, but just as I walked through the train station at Paddington I spotted a couple on display at the WH Smith there (at half price – bonus!) and managed to snaffle my copy on the day of release.
Sebastian Faulks is well known for his own books, but for this one he adopts the style of Ian Fleming and produces the first new James Bond story for some years. He has done this before – in his 2006 book ‘Pistache’ he also channeled Fleming for one of his stories.
So – with Devil May Care, he once again steals Flemings pen, and with the full backing of the Fleming estate, he crafts a new Bond story.
Set in the 1960’s, and located in true Bond style – Paris, London, Persia and Russia. It describes Bond taking on another megalomaniac villain, hell bent on destroying civilisation. It is a typical ripping yarn, full of perfectly pitched references to the secret agent lifestyle (Morland cigarettes and room service Martinis), and takes you instantly back to the cold war.
Of course – there is a girl or two, and the usual characters join the fray (M, Moneypenny and Felix), but the story has an excellent echo that feels current and brings the reader back to the present day.
You can feel the ghost of Fleming in every line, Faulks recreates the style and structure of those boyhood tales. I remember reading the original James Bond stories as an early teen and this took me back to those stories and the beginning of my own relationship with Bond.
An excellent reprise of the quintessential British Hero.
By: mattr
Category: books
I saw this ad on the left of my Facebook screen today – could well be the most unattractive offer ever!
I realise people might need a small loan to tide them over – but 1355% interest!
Just working that out, if I borrowed a £100 to make it to next payday for me, I’d end up paying back £200 by the end of the month… niiice.
So – I think, no matter how hard it gets, I’ll give payday loans a miss!
The first track from the new Sigur Ros album (Med Sud i Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust) is available for download for free (320kbps MP3 – email address required) from the official Sigur Ros website.
I guess its a bit of a departure, faster than a lot of their previous material – but still retaining the distinctive vocal styles that you come to associate with Sigur Ros.
I love it – have listened 3 or 4 times this morning and still cannot wait for the new album to drop.
By: mattr
Category: music
Another great example of a ‘colourised’ postcard that would today be replaced by an email, or even an SMS message, “Rita and I hope to come to Torquay tomorrow". Sent to Forest Road in Torquay in 1946 (I think). Click more for the message.
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The cover of the new Sigur Ros Album…stunning. It looks like the title is anglicised as : med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust (with a buzz in our ears we play endlessly). I’m really looking forward to this release, have no idea of date yet, apparently it is due out on the 23rd of June. There is a now a release page and tracklisting up on sigurros.com
Picture from sigur-ros.co.uk flickr account.
By: mattr
Category: music
Worlds biggest airport opens in Beijing – you can be sure this won’t happen. Now all they need to do is make the commute to the city center quicker and all will be well!
A slightly unusual postcard – with the message on the front of the card, and a shrunken image – send from Watersmeet near Lynmouth (its part of the National Trust now) to Westdown in Ilfracombe in 1903. Click more to see the reverse of the card.
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Three years ago today – I joined the company – and I have to say, it has been *great* fun. I have a good team of peers, a great team that I manage and a great set of vendor partners that I feel are an extension of my team.
Launching AdCenter support in the UK and France has been a great rollercoaster ride, but I’ve had super fun in the process. Here’s to many more years!
And yes, I like my Zune.
A polaroid taken every day of a mans life – until he dies (via Mental Floss) – this is a really sad story (Thats two days in a row I’ve had sad things)
Extraordinary photography – whilst shooting a wedding in Sichuan province, China, the earthquake that devastated that area struck, the full series of photographs are unbelievably poignant.
Follow the full story here
I picked up a copy of the new James Bond book on Wednesday evening, after unfruitful trips to a couple of bookshops where it had sold out I had given up trying to find one and thought I would wait until I could get one from Amazon, but just as I walked through the train station at Paddington I spotted a couple on display at the WH Smith there (at half price – bonus!) and managed to snaffle my copy on the day of release.
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