In the novels (notably From Russia with Love), James Bond’s physical description has generally been consistent: slim build; a three-inch, vertical scar on his right cheek (absent from the cinematic version); blue-grey eyes; a “cruel” mouth; short, black hair, a comma of which falls on his forehead (greying at the temples in Gardner’s novels); and (after Casino Royale) the faint scar of the Russian cyrillic letter “Ш” (SH) (for Shpionen: “Spy”) on the back of one of his hands (carved by a SMERSH agent). In From Russia with Love he is also described as 183 centimeters (6 feet) in height and 76 kilograms (167 lbs) in weight.

Sean Connery as James Bond. In the novels, especial since ‘From Russia with Love’ the description of Bond has been consistent.

The cinematic Bond had the character quirk of being a “know-it-all”. In Goldfinger, he calculates in his head how many trucks it takes to transport all the gold in Fort Knox, and how long the gold would be radioactive after Goldfinger’s bomb had exploded. Bond’s “genius” became a running joke during Roger Moore’s era. It was virtually eliminated during Timothy Dalton’s tenure as 007.

When not on assignment or at headquarters Bond spends his time at his flat off the Kings Road in Chelsea. His flat, as well as himself, is looked after by an elderly Scottish housekeeper named May, who is very loyal and often motherly to him. According to Charlie Higson’s Young Bond series, May previously worked for Bond’s aunt, Charmian. Bond hardly ever brings women back to his home, happening only once between the novels Diamonds Are Forever and From Russia with Love when he briefly lived with Tiffany Case. According to Pearson’s book and hinted at in From Russia with Love, Tiffany often got into arguments with May and eventually left. At his home, Bond has two telephones. One for personal use and a second red phone that is a direct line between his home and headquarters; the latter is said to always be ringing at inopportune moments.

In both the literary and cinematic versions of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, James Bond marries, but his bride, Teresa di Vicenzo (Tracy), is killed on their wedding day by his arch enemy, Ernst Stavro Blofeld; the event resonates in both versions of the character for many years thereafter. In the novels, Bond gets revenge in the following novel, You Only Live Twice when, by chance, he comes across Blofeld in Japan, whilst the cinematic Bond takes on Blofeld in Diamonds Are Forever with an ambiguous result. Later, in the pre-title sequence of For Your Eyes Only, Bond despatches a bald, wheelchair-bound man who bears a startling resemblance to Blofeld, shortly after viewing his wife’s grave. The character was not named for legal reasons connected with EON Productions’ ongoing dispute with Kevin McClory over the films rights to the novel Thunderball.

Bond had one child by Kissy Suzuki in You Only Live Twice, although he never learns of the boy’s existence in Fleming’s novels. In Pearson’s book, the son is named James Suzuki. Bond is obviously aware of his son’s existence by the time of Raymond Benson’s short story Blast From the Past in which his son asks him to come to New York City as a matter of urgency before being killed by Irma Bunt. The story’s canonical status is often disputed since it appears to exist outside the timeline of all continuation novels, including Benson’s own.

See also:

• Bond, James: Actors
• Bond, James: Birth debate
• Bond, James: Character
• Bond, James: Cinematic
• Bond, James: Early years
• Bond, James: Habits
• Bond, James: Other drinking habits
• Bond, James: Personal Traits