Review: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming

After there was James Bond came ... Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Ian Fleming's only novel for children and was published in the months following the author's death. While not as famous as the movie or stage play that it influence, this delightful novel is a rollicking read about an unusual family and a very special car--one that can fly, swim and might just help the Potts family to stop a nasty gang of criminals ...

It truly is a shame that Fleming did not live long enough to see this novel in print, or to continue to write for children--he has a terrific writing style, similar to Roald Dahl in parts (in fact, Dahl would later help to adapt the book to film,) but with a unique flair of its own. My copy has the original illustrations, which are quite fitting for the book. It's also a lot of fun with cliffhanger chapters, unusual plot twists and a very likeable family in the driver's seat.

Overall, well done.

Highly recommended.

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