Newly published stories show a different side of Ian Fleming and Graham Greene

Published: Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 9:00 am

Lost Stories of Bond's Creator and a Literary Ghost: New Works by Fleming and Greene Surface

Decades after their deaths, the literary worlds of Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, and Graham Greene, a master of mid-century fiction, are offering fresh glimpses into their creative processes. *The Strand Magazine*, a Chicago-based quarterly known for unearthing forgotten literary gems, has published a previously unseen short story by Fleming, titled "The Shameful Dream," and a never-before-seen ghost story by Greene, "Reading at Night."

Fleming's "The Shameful Dream" predates his iconic James Bond novels and features a newspaper editor, Caffery Bone, on his way to meet a boss described as a Bond-villain type. This discovery, found through a collector with access to Fleming's family archives, provides a fascinating look at the author's early storytelling inclinations.

The Greene manuscript, discovered in a University of Texas library collection, delves into the eerie experience of a man on vacation in the south of France whose book begins to mirror his own reality. These newly discovered works offer a unique perspective on the authors' styles and the enduring appeal of their writing.

*The Strand Magazine* is celebrating its 75th issue with these exciting finds, continuing its tradition of publishing rare and previously unpublished works by literary giants. The magazine's managing editor, Andrew Gulli, emphasizes the difficulty and dedication required to find and publish such works, highlighting the magazine's unique niche in the literary landscape.

BNN's Perspective: It's exciting to see these literary treasures surface, offering a fresh perspective on beloved authors. While the works themselves may not redefine their legacies, they provide valuable insight into their creative development and the evolution of their signature styles. It's a testament to the enduring power of literature that these forgotten stories can still captivate readers today.

Keywords: Ian Fleming, James Bond, Graham Greene, The Strand Magazine,

Full Story