Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels are being rewritten to remove or replace the offensive racial references used during its time of publication.
According to The Telegraph, Ian Fleming Publications Ltd ordered a review of the books from sensitivity readers and will supposedly issue a disclaimer with the new versions of the novels: “This book was written at a time when terms and attitudes which might be considered offensive by modern readers were commonplace. A number of updates have been made in this edition, while keeping as close as possible to the original text and the period in which it is set.”
Examples of the racial references being either replaced or removed include the use of the “n” word, which has been changed to either “black person” or “black man,” as well as some of the racial descriptors being taken out entirely. The Telegraph notes, however, Bond’s use of racial terms for east Asian people and remarks deemed sexist or homophobic stay in the texts.
“We at Ian Fleming Publications reviewed the text of the original Bond books and decided our best course of action was to follow Ian’s lead. We have made changes to Live and Let Die that he himself authorised,” the company said in a statement. “Following Ian’s approach, we looked at the instances of several racial terms across the books and removed a number of individual words or else swapped them for terms that are more accepted today but in keeping with the period in which the books were written.”
The company added, “We encourage people to read the books for themselves when the new paperbacks are published in April,” which will mark the 70th anniversary of Casino Royale’s publication — the first book in the series.
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