Thanks so much for mentioning Maugham, whose work I admire (and hope to introduce to the same classic-stories group that read Fleming). I knew of the connection but didn't describe it because I've been trying to keep reviews to 5 or 6 minutes, and I appreciate your giving me an opening to say here how much I like his work.

It seems to me that the work of both Maugham and Fleming has held up better than that of many writers of their era, and perhaps Maugham's influence on Fleming helps to explain that.

My group loved that mention of the air hostess, too. I haven't read enough of Fleming to know whether his brief description of Bond's views on marriage is unique to FYEO. But if so, that might be another point of interest for readers.