Scala Radio Book Club: Forever and a Day by Anthony Horowitz
Horowitz’s latest Bond novel set in the 1950's with a nod to the era's sensibilities.
Last updated 28th Jun 2021
An excited and energetic Anthony Horowitz, author of the Alex Rider stories, Foyle's War, Sherlock Holmes, visited the Scala studio on 5th June, to talk about the paperback release of his James Bond novel 'Forever and a Day'.
Horowitz’s latest Bond novel is set in the 1950s with a nod to the era’s sensibilities. The story is set three months before 'Casino Royale' and stands as the prequel the James Bond canon we know and love today.
James Bond has been sent to the South of France to investigate the death of his 007 predecessor and solve the mystery as to why drug trafficking to Britain has suddenly and seemingly inexplicably stopped.
Horowitz is clear on how to describe 'Forever and a Day': “It’s very much classic James Bond. It is not a modernisation. I am very much true to the original idea. I am not changing things. My first job as author is to be true to the purists. I don’t want to irritate them by giving him a vape instead of a cigarette.”
That attention to detail also demands writing in the context of 1950s life which for some might sit uncomfortably with present-day life. “I have to remember that I’m writing in a 1950s ‘environment’ where these views like anti-semitism for example, were part of mainstream life. Nowadays people have different attitudes and that distance we’ve travelled in a healthy thing.
“With Bond, the secret is to be true to the original ideas, but in a way that won’t offend present-day audiences. It’s not that difficult circle to square. Like creating the character of Sixteen in my story – she’s not a Pussy Galore who just lays back and says ‘Oh, Mr Bond’. She is intelligent independent strong older woman who very much gives Bond a run for the money.”
There was obvious excitement in Horowitz’s voice when he discussed his work. “Listeners might be able to ‘hear’ you grinning when you describe the book,” observed Simon during the interview.
“When I begin writing a story, it is with a gigantic smile,” said Anthony in response, “You get into the story and the characters. Then you get an idea. One of the pleasures of creating Skipio on the page was I knew how he would die. As I describe the book I was remembering the pleasure I had writing it.”
Purchase a copy of Forever and a Day now at Waterstones and Amazon.
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