This remark is made by René Mathis, an agent of the French secret service and a long–time friend of Bond. Later in the novel, after looking at his reflection in a mirror, Bond disagrees.
The same comparison is made in Moonraker, the third Bond novel.
More than one writer has commented that Ian Fleming himself bore a distinct resemblance to Hoagy Carmichael; and I am inclined to agree.
© Haydn Thompson 2020