12 OCTOBER 1962, Page 17

RUSSIAN BONDS

Sut,—Starbuck has some good fun in your issue of October 5 with a new Russian novel whose hero is reprimanded by a waiter who says, 'Young man, you have just insulted a Director of the Midland Bank.' All very deplorably jejune and fifth-form, agreed; and doubtless the book will sell all over Russia like hot cakes. However, as a barrier to international understanding, how does it compare with some of the equally best-selling adventures of our own James Bond?

60 Southwood Lane, N6

J. B. SNELL