The BBC said Sebastian Faulks's 1967-set novel has become publisher Penguin's fastest-selling hardcover fiction title.

Other Penguin bestsellers like the novels of Tom Clancy and Nick Hornby have sold about 11,500 copies in their first four days in publication, the publisher told the BBC.

The 007 book was released to coincide with the 100th anniversary of late Bond creator Ian Fleming's birthday on May 28, 1908.