‘There’s no place for Bond girls any more’
Anthony Horowitz, author of two 007 novels, says the term is unacceptable in today’s #Metoo era
WHEN Anthony Horowitz brought out his first James Bond novel in 2015, he cheerfully described Pussy Galore as “the greatest Bond girl of all”. But times have changed and the term “Bond girl” is now unacceptable, Horowitz said, and has no place in the #Metoo era.
“There is an awareness in my mind that we live in an age in which people are very quick to take offence. Since the last book, that has got – I don’t know what adjective to use – worse? More dangerous? It has become more apparent, more evident,” the author said, as he promoted his second novel based on Ian Fleming’s original stories.
“When I’m talking about Bond in public I never, ever use ‘Bond girl’. That objectifies women and is now offensive. Although it’s hard to find an alternative: ‘Bond’s female associates’ does sound a little bit dry.”
Horowitz was hired by the Ian Fleming Estate to produce official novels. The first, Trigger Mortis, and its followup, Forever and a Day, are based on a television series that was never made.
Forever and a Day is a prequel to the 007 novels, and is set in France on Bond’s very first secret mission.
The lead female character is named Sixtine, a half-french, half-english, former Bletchley Park worker turned blackmailer and spymistress. Horowitz has written the character to a modern standard. In one scene, Bond grabs her and kisses her. “Well, well, well,” she says, “the British spy can’t get what he wants by consent so he has to try force. I want to make it clear that you are never to touch me again without asking.”
The challenge for any author writing new Bond stories, Horowitz said, is “to be true to Fleming’s world view and, while not necessarily to filter it or water it down, to present it in a way that will not cause offence”.
He admitted to feeling troubled by Fleming’s attitude to Pussy Galore in Goldfinger, the 1959 novel: “She was raped at 15, she’s been a lesbian all her life and hates men, but within five minutes of meeting, she’s in bed with Bond. That sort of approach was fine in the Fifties, but a woman who changes her sexuality because she meets a man so eye-wateringly, knee-tremblingly handsome is not going to play today.”
Nevertheless, he hopes more people will discover Fleming’s books, which are relatively unknown in comparison to the films. “The books are small masterpieces of style and vision,” he said.
The next 007 film is also set to tone down the sexism. Danny Boyle, attached to the project as director, said: “You write in real time. You acknowledge the legacy of [Fleming’s] world… but you also write in the modern world.”
The 25th instalment in the franchise will see Daniel Craig reprise his role as the world’s most famous spy. Released in November next year, it will reportedly show 007 leaving the secret service and marrying.
Forever and a Day by Anthony Horowitz is published by Penguin and will be released on May 31
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