Goldeneye: Where Bond Was Born: Ian Fleming's Jamaica

By: Matthew Parker

Narrated by: Roy McMillan

Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Amid the lush beauty of Jamaica's northern coast lies the true story of Ian Fleming's iconic creation: James Bond.

For two months every year, from 1946 to his death 18 years later, Ian Fleming lived at Goldeneye, the house he built on a point of high land overlooking a small white-sand beach on Jamaica's stunning north coast. All the James Bond novels and stories were written there.

This audiobook explores the huge influence of Jamaica on the creation of Fleming's iconic postwar hero. The island was for Fleming part retreat from the world, part tangible representation of his values, and part exotic fantasy. Goldeneye also examines Fleming's Jamaican friendships - his extraordinary circle included Errol Flynn, the Oliviers, international politicians, and British royalty as well as his close neighbor, Noël Coward - and traces his changing relationship with Ann Charteris (and hers with Jamaica) and the emergence of Blanche Blackwell as his Jamaican soul mate.

Goldeneye also compares the real Jamaica of the 1950s during the buildup to independence with the island's portrayal in the Bond books, to shine a light on the attitude of the likes of Fleming and Coward regarding the dramatic end of the British Empire.

©2014 Matthew Parker (P)2014 Random House Audiobooks

Ian Fleming lead a fascinating life.

In Jennet Conant's fine book, "The Irregulars" (I heard the audio edition several years ago) she briefly mentions Ian Fleming during his "spy" days spent in the USA when Britain was trying to get us into WW2. Matthew Parker's book "Goldeneye" deals with the years after the war when Fleming decided move to Jamaica and write books. The sub-title "Where Bold was Born" is figuratively true. Every James Bond story was written during Fleming's times in Goldeneye - the name of his house on the island.
There is a much name dropping as Jamaica was the place for the wealthy and the famous to go to get away. Noel Coward had a particularly active role in Ian and Ann Fleming's life. You may be surprised at how much 'hanky-panky' was considered normal in the 50s and 60s.
The ebook was available, but the audio was not synchronized to the book, so I usually sat with the ebook and my ear buds and leafing along. The audio was wonderful, however, during those 4:00 AM waking hours that I sometimes have. I suggest getting the ebook or the printed edition just for all of the photographs. (Always a problem with audio books)
My only dilemma now is whether or not to listen/read the new versions of the James Bond books. I may have to revisit at least a couple of them: "Casino Royale' the first book and perhaps "Moonraker" the only adventure set entirely in England.

History as it should be written

Where does Goldeneye: Where Bond Was Born: Ian Fleming's Jamaica rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Easily at the top with both an excellent book and an excellent narrator.

What does Roy McMillan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

McMilliam was a brilliant narrator with an ability to drive the story forward while still maintaining the nuance of the text. I'm looking forward to enjoying more of his work. He has a gift for bringing words to life.

Any additional comments?

History as it should be: deeply researched, profoundly insightful, completely accessible, and vastly entertaining. The author uses a partial biography of Ian Fleming during his time in Jamaica as a tool for exploring the decline of the British Empire in the Caribbean. It succeeds on numerous levels: social history, literary history, literary criticism, film history, political history, and biography, but pure delight comes from the author’s talent for sounds, smells, people, and places: conch chowder and fried octopus tentacles with tartar sauce, sugar and slaves, rum and Coca-Cola, grand houses and old families, alligator shooting and polo, Errol Flynn and Noel Coward, sharks and barracuda, Princess Margaret and Lord Beaverbrook, Lucien Freud and Francis Bacon, Anthony Eden and Winston Churchill. Highly recommended.

Ian Fleming / James Bond / Jamaica

This is an interesting combination of biographical details on Ian Fleming's life, as well as the character of James Bond and how it fits with the time in history it was written, and the role Jamaica itself plays. Ambitious structure and content, does not always succeed in keeping a smooth flow, but generally works well enough. Especially good for fans of Bond and the period in time it depicts. Good overall, but felt overlong and a bit repetitive in parts. Excellent narration.

Transports you to an unspoiled Jamaica of the 1950s

This book transports you back to Jamaica of the 1950s. I enjoyed the narrative pictures of the beautiful and romantic unspoiled waters and landscapes. The descriptions of cultural attitudes during colonial British occupation of the country and later independence were quite interesting.

Goldeneye

I Love Bond. I never knew that much about Ian Fleming. And now I do. I love Bond even more.

This book made my visit to Goldeneye special

I finished this book before I visited Goldeneye in Jamaica. I also read (and re-read) 007 novels while I was there. I found so many interesting information and helped me understand Ian Fleming and 007 novels.

utterly enjoyable

loved it. was hoping it wouldn't end. submerges you in a time and place romanticized.

not about James bond

I thought this book would talk about James Bond and how the franchise/ book came to be. It’s more of a history lesson on Jamaica and people.

I really enjoyed this.

This is a comprehensive account of Ian Fleming. Its also a compendium of all of the James Bond books. Ever since I viewed No Time to Die, I have been curious about Fleming. This volume provides many answers.

Stunningly Good!!

So I met Chris Blackwell back in 1994… was told that he was the son of wealthy rum importers turned to music… Bob Marley… Robert Palmer… U2… I wish somebody would have told me… Ian Fleming and James Bond

I loved how Mr Parker kept jumping centuries since that I could understand the historical significance of all parties and country

I would recommend this to anyone… from those interested in romance… tragic romance… empires… spy novels… and just plain Hollywood what?!?!

Absolutely loved it!