James Bond is 'Too Glamorous' for Real Spies, Says New Author

James Bond author Charlie Higson has asserted that the iconic spy is "too glamorous" to represent the reality of British espionage, suggesting that the true nature of the profession is far more mundane than the fictional character's exploits.

Higson, who recently published his first Bond novel, "King Zero," following his success with the Young Bond series, drew a distinction between James Bond and more realistic spy archetypes.

"James Bond is complete fantasy," Higson stated at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. "We [Britons] don't do a lot of big, fantasy, glamorous international action stories. We tend to do people sitting in cafes, drinking cups of tea with steamed up windows, which is John le Carré's world."

He contrasted Fleming's "cocktail" writing with le Carré's "cup of tea" approach, noting that le Carré, a former MI5 and MI6 operative, based his work on real intelligence experiences. Higson expressed admiration for both styles but emphasized Bond's fictional nature.

Higson also criticized the portrayal of Bond in the recent film "No Time To Die," specifically objecting to the inclusion of a domestic argument between Bond and his girlfriend during a car chase. He argued that such elements undermine the character's established persona.

"Bond is a fantasy, he's got no wife, no kids, you rarely see him at home, he lives in hotels, eats in restaurants, sleeps with as many women as he wants and gets to kill people," Higson explained. "It's the best job in the world. You never see him mowing his lawn, washing his car or asking his bank manager for a loan. He's one guy on a mission."

He suggested that Bond should have utilized an ejector seat to remove his girlfriend from the vehicle and continue his mission, rather than engaging in a personal dispute.

"No Time To Die" was a commercial success, ranking as the fourth most successful film internationally last year and the third most successful film ever released in the UK. Higson's comments may be contentious for fans and film producers.

Higson's five Young Bond novels, which depict a teenage Bond at Eton College in the 1930s, have sold over a million copies in the UK. He identified "From Russia With Love" as his favorite Fleming adventure for its writing and research, though he acknowledged that some of its content would be considered problematic today, referencing a scene where Bond strikes a female double agent.

"There are unfortunately some quite dodgy sequences about women which in today's age would have got him instantly cancelled," Higson commented. "But as a piece of writing, as a well-written, punchy story, it's really good."