Despite Fleming's patriotism and notable contributions to Britain's war effort, the picture Mr Shakespeare draws is of an entitled, selfish misogynist.
He was about five feet ten inches high, of full habit, and, without prejudice, I must be allowed to say, was a man whose whole appearance was sinister and repugnant.
Like the author, Alina and Laura are from Mexico City, but meet in their 20s while living in France, bonding over their distaste for " the human shackles" of parenthood.
The mad passions of a hunted animal stirred within him, and he loathed the man who was seated at the table, more than in his whole life he had ever loathed anything.