Parson's Green & Sandford and Sands End Wards invite you to their annual Curry Lunch at 12:30pm on Sunday 4th December 2022 at Sands End Arts and Community Centre, South Park, London SW6 3EZ. Author Edward Abel Smith will kindly be joining us for the event, and will be discussing his most recent book,
Ian Fleming’s Inspiration – The Truth Behind the Books
James Bond is possibly the most well-known fictional characters in history. What most people don’t know is that – despite the unlikely storylines – almost all the characters, plots and gadgets come from the real-life experiences of Bond’s creator: Commander Ian Fleming.
In his talk, Edward will discuss some of the plots of Fleming’s most famous novels explaining the real-life experiences that inspired them. These mainly involve Fleming’s direct participation in World War II intelligence and how this translated through his typewriter into James Bond’s world, as well as the many other factors of Fleming’s life which were also taken as inspiration.
Bond is known for his exotic travel, most notably to the island of Jamaica, where Fleming spent much of his life. The desk in his Caribbean house, Goldeneye, was also where his life experiences would be put onto paper in the guise of James Bond. As the island was highly influential for Fleming, it features heavily in James Bond, offering an element of escapism to the reader, with tales of a clear blue sea, Caribbean climate and island socialising.
Ian Fleming might have died prematurely aged 53, but so much of him lives on to this day through the most famous spy in the world, James Bond.
Born in 1991, Edward Abel Smith grew up in Hertfordshire, England, before moving to Oxford to study Sociology & Anthropology at Oxford Brookes University. Edward's books have been featured in The Times, the Telegraph, the Mail on Sunday, the Daily Express and the Washington Times. He has also appeared on several radio programs including BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio London, Talk Radio and BBC World Service.
When not writing, Edward is a director of a private equity backed outsourcing firm. He lives in West Sussex with his wife, two daughters and their dog, Vesper. Edward’s website: www.edwardabelsmith.com
(Edward’s book hardback will be on sale for £15 – it usually retails for £20, and would make a rather good Christmas present).
Tickets: £40 includes lunch and wine.
Please book your tickets here or through the KCFC office: 020 8960 8200