In the 1950s and 1960s, the British author Ian Fleming (1908-1964) wrote his world-famous “James Bond” novels – starting in 1953 with “Casino Royale”, i.e. exactly 70 years ago. It is this round anniversary that is causing a conflict. In honor of 007’s first outing, the Bond books are set to be re-released this April. However, not in its original version, but adapted to the 21st century, as “The Sunday Telegraph” puts it.
Some designations for ethnic groups and minorities in books are simply no longer acceptable today. Certainly the sexism debate, which the early parts of the film series are also faced with, should also play a part. The publisher Ian Fleming Publications has therefore hired specialists to take care of the texts and identify relevant passages. Other works were subsequently modified for these and other reasons, such as Roald Dahl’s (1916-1990) “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” or Harriet Beecher Stowe’s (1811-1996) “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”.
According to the report, the James Bond books will also come with a disclaimer stating: “This book was written at a time when terms and attitudes were commonplace that modern readers would find offensive Some adaptations have been made in this edition while staying as close as possible to the original text and the period in which the action takes place.”
