Fleming, Ian

From Russia, With Love. New York: Macmillan, 1957



8vo (8 1/4 x 5 1/2 in; 210 x 140 mm). Publisher's black-titled tan cloth in dust-jacket designed by Richard Chopping; minor tanning to gutters, top edge of jacket creased with some chipping, closed tear to lower right of front panel.

Raymond Chandler (ownership stamp "Raymond Chandler / 6925 Neptune Place / La Jolla California" to front blank, underneath which Chandler has date-stamped "Oct 26 1957" and written "From Macmillan" in blue ink).

Lycett, Ian Fleming (1996); Pearson, Life of Ian Fleming (1966)

minor tanning to gutters, top edge of jacket creased with some chipping, closed tear to lower right of front panel.
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Chandler's copy of the title he advised and inspired Fleming to write, continuing the adventures of 007

By the time Fleming had completed the fourth Bond, Diamonds are Forever, he felt at an impasse with his famous character, debating if he should even continue with the series. He considered ending James Bond, for even as the reviews for Moonraker had been strong, "he seemed to have convinced himself that he had gone as far with writing about James Bond as he ever would or could" (Pearson, pp. 232-233).

A timely 1955 meeting with Raymond Chandler, an author whose work he greatly admired, had a profound influence on how Fleming viewed Bond. Chandler had enjoyed Casino Royale, and told Fleming how much so, but had not yet read the second Bond. Fleming had it sent to him (see previous lot) and more strong praise followed.  

This attention proved pivotal  "... Chandler's approval seems to have made Fleming quickly decide that his next book, instead of finishing Bond for good, would go to the opposite extreme. It would be different from any other book he had written, it would have more depth and seriousness. Bond would become a 'rounded character' like Chandler's hero Philip Marlowe" (Pearson, pp. 237-238).

The present novel is at least partly the result of Fleming's reinvigoration; for the reading public it was another success and  was well reviewed. Julian Symons' TLS review noted From Russia with Love "brings the thriller in line with modern emotional needs," demonstrating that Fleming, at Chandler's urging, was able to achieve the deeper character development of Bond that he sought.  

Chandler had a slightly different view. On the rear flap Chandler grades each Bond adventure, including inking this one in below the others, grading it a "B+", as he does for Diamonds are Forever. Moonraker impressed him less, he rates it a "B", but  gives top marks to the titles he first read and praised to Fleming,  writing "A +", next to both Casino Royale and Live and Let Die.