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jake_the_pirate's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kessler21's review against another edition
3.0
Book #14 and the last of the original Bond stories so the last Bond book for me. (There is one last short story that is sometimes included in this book but was not in my edition)
This book is 3 short stories and was published posthumously.
Octopussy - In this Bond is not the main character and his appearance is brief. Bond has come to arrest a Major of the second World War on suspicion of murder and the theft of Nazi gold. The story is this Major, who has anticipated this moment his whole life, reflects on the murder and the theft and is wondering what to do. Octopussy referrs to his pet octopus named Pussy.
The Living Daylights - Several stories point out that Bond does not enjoy pure murder. Though he has a licence to Kill, a 00 number, he hates killing in cold blood which he must do. In this story, Bond is not his normal chipper self. He seems depressed and disapproving of his career.
The Property of a Lady - In this story, Bond is to attend an auction and find Russian spies. This story seems incomplete.
In some additions of this book, there is a short story included entitled "007 in New York" This was not in my edition.
I was not a fan of this book. I have enjoyed seeing Bond progress and see him become a much more complex character. Fleming was not a great writer, but I have also enjoyed seeing his writing progress and him try different styles.
This book is 3 short stories and was published posthumously.
Octopussy - In this Bond is not the main character and his appearance is brief. Bond has come to arrest a Major of the second World War on suspicion of murder and the theft of Nazi gold. The story is this Major, who has anticipated this moment his whole life, reflects on the murder and the theft and is wondering what to do. Octopussy referrs to his pet octopus named Pussy.
The Living Daylights - Several stories point out that Bond does not enjoy pure murder. Though he has a licence to Kill, a 00 number, he hates killing in cold blood which he must do. In this story, Bond is not his normal chipper self. He seems depressed and disapproving of his career.
The Property of a Lady - In this story, Bond is to attend an auction and find Russian spies. This story seems incomplete.
In some additions of this book, there is a short story included entitled "007 in New York" This was not in my edition.
I was not a fan of this book. I have enjoyed seeing Bond progress and see him become a much more complex character. Fleming was not a great writer, but I have also enjoyed seeing his writing progress and him try different styles.
arianappstrg's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
thesixthstation's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mirela_dap's review against another edition
Saiu do pacote de assinatura do audible.
sydsnot71's review against another edition
3.0
So, I did finish this before I finished 'The Man With The Golden Gun'.
This book comprises four short stories - Octopussy, The Property of a Lady, The Living Daylights and 007 in New York.
The latter is almost a throwaway but gives a nice insight into Ian Fleming's view of New York (and the correct way to make scrambled eggs.) The other three are interesting in that they are Bond on fairly ordinary jobs. Octopussy lets us see him from the outside as he closes up an old case, The Property of a Lady is - almost - a LeCarreesque tale of observation and entrapment and The Living Daylights gives us a chance to see the ugly nature of Bond's role as a state-sanctioned murderer and the effect it has on Bond himself.
It's not a bad little book and certainly made a good pallet cleanser after the madness that was 'You Only Live Twice.' And 'Property of a Lady' builds on a line from the beginning of 'The Man With The Golden Gun' when Bond's identity is being established when he returns from his long post-Live Twice absence.
I'm not sure when these were written or why but I believe they were published after Fleming's death but they make for an interesting addendum to the novels. And helped the James Bond filmmakers with the quest for suitable film titles. Indeed, Octopussy is - sort 0f - alluded to in the film version of 'Octopussy' whilst the auction in 'Property of a Lady' is also altered and used in the same film. Whilst 'The Living Daylights' is part of the film version of 'The Living Daylights.' No stone left unturned or unused in the world of Bond.
This book comprises four short stories - Octopussy, The Property of a Lady, The Living Daylights and 007 in New York.
The latter is almost a throwaway but gives a nice insight into Ian Fleming's view of New York (and the correct way to make scrambled eggs.) The other three are interesting in that they are Bond on fairly ordinary jobs. Octopussy lets us see him from the outside as he closes up an old case, The Property of a Lady is - almost - a LeCarreesque tale of observation and entrapment and The Living Daylights gives us a chance to see the ugly nature of Bond's role as a state-sanctioned murderer and the effect it has on Bond himself.
It's not a bad little book and certainly made a good pallet cleanser after the madness that was 'You Only Live Twice.' And 'Property of a Lady' builds on a line from the beginning of 'The Man With The Golden Gun' when Bond's identity is being established when he returns from his long post-Live Twice absence.
I'm not sure when these were written or why but I believe they were published after Fleming's death but they make for an interesting addendum to the novels. And helped the James Bond filmmakers with the quest for suitable film titles. Indeed, Octopussy is - sort 0f - alluded to in the film version of 'Octopussy' whilst the auction in 'Property of a Lady' is also altered and used in the same film. Whilst 'The Living Daylights' is part of the film version of 'The Living Daylights.' No stone left unturned or unused in the world of Bond.
harlando's review against another edition
3.0
Octopussy is a good story, but really isn't about bond at all. It's a bit like Fleming had a good idea for a story about some stolen Nazi gold and tossed in a Bond Cameo because that was what sold books. Nazi gold and stolen art are interesting objects for speculation. I wonder how many Soldiers walked away from WWII with some sort of treasure that floated them for years afterward? Surely a few got out with some gold or a painting, but it couldn't have been many.
The other stories were less interesting. Bond's mission to Berlin to protect an agent from a top Russian sniper was a little silly and contrived. It seemed unlikely that either the British or the Russians would have got themselves into this situation where they are shooting it out in Berlin. And, while I know the Russians are supposed to be a bit crude, spraying bullets from an AK-47 hardly requires the country's top sniper.
The other stories were less interesting. Bond's mission to Berlin to protect an agent from a top Russian sniper was a little silly and contrived. It seemed unlikely that either the British or the Russians would have got themselves into this situation where they are shooting it out in Berlin. And, while I know the Russians are supposed to be a bit crude, spraying bullets from an AK-47 hardly requires the country's top sniper.
topdragon's review against another edition
3.0
Wrapping up the last of the original James Bond books by Ian Fleming, but somewhat less enthusiastic about this collection of 4 short stories than the much more robust novels of Fleming’s prime. These stories were published posthumously and feature short vignettes of lesser Bond missions.
“Octopussy” is more the story of an ex-secret agent turned criminal who tells his story to Bond while “The Living Daylights” describes Bond’s unwanted mission of assassinating an assassin before they can kill their target. Of course, the movies with these names have nothing to do with their corresponding short story plots although major aspects of the third main story, “The Property of a Lady”, which centers on a high stakes auction of a piece of Faberge artwork does show up in the movies. All three stories are tightly woven and quick reads. The final entry is less a story but simply a very short travelogue on New York City from Bond’s point of view.
Now that I’ve completed the original Bond books I believe I will turn my attention, slowly, to the myriads of other Bond books out there, knowing that not all will be up to my hopes and expectations. But as a life-long James Bond fan, I will take the plunge nonetheless.
“Octopussy” is more the story of an ex-secret agent turned criminal who tells his story to Bond while “The Living Daylights” describes Bond’s unwanted mission of assassinating an assassin before they can kill their target. Of course, the movies with these names have nothing to do with their corresponding short story plots although major aspects of the third main story, “The Property of a Lady”, which centers on a high stakes auction of a piece of Faberge artwork does show up in the movies. All three stories are tightly woven and quick reads. The final entry is less a story but simply a very short travelogue on New York City from Bond’s point of view.
Now that I’ve completed the original Bond books I believe I will turn my attention, slowly, to the myriads of other Bond books out there, knowing that not all will be up to my hopes and expectations. But as a life-long James Bond fan, I will take the plunge nonetheless.
emmaemmaemmaemma's review against another edition
2.0
We can all agree that James Bond (and Ian Flemming honestly) is a POS right? And that quotes like-
“Bond’s choice of reading matter, [was] prompted by a spectacular jacket of a half naked girl strapped to a bed.” (This is his reading material while he waits to murder someone)
And
“She was an unattractive girl. - Such a girl would be unloved, make few friends, have chips on her shoulder. - Perhaps her only pleasure in life was the triumphant secret she harbored in that flattish bosom.”
-feel quite gross to read? Okay, if we can agree on that, then we can talk about the book outside of its misogynistic overtones. I mean… it was alright. Flemming’s writing has some flair, but none of his characters are exceptionally deep. Their motivations often feel a bit hollow, and many of them are unlikeable in an entirely uninteresting way. But it’s your standard spy story otherwise which keeps it interesting.
Honestly, I picked up this particular Bond book because Tom Hiddleston reads the audio version, and I wanted to get through it before I get to its dedicated episodes on the Kill James Bond podcast. So I kinda went into this knowing that Bond was pretty scummy but I mean, I can’t say I didn’t enjoy the book enough to finish it.
Just in case it’s not clear though, Bond is not a good male icon, and to back it up, here’s my favorite gross quote that I wrote down while reading because I was so put off by it.
“They should invent a way for women to play the damn thing side saddle” (In reference to women not looking sexy playing the cello, and how he can’t imagine why this woman he’s obsessed with would choose to play cello because it would look so bulbous “between her thighs” Gross Bond. Someone needs to get Moneypenny a squirt bottle to spray him when he’s being nasty. He’s so gross though he would probably get off on that too.)
Edit: The irony is not lost on me on how I chose to pick up a Bond book titled Octopussy and somehow hoped that it wouldn’t be scummy. The Octopus’ name is Pussy. That’s where the title comes from. I don’t know what I was expecting.
“Bond’s choice of reading matter, [was] prompted by a spectacular jacket of a half naked girl strapped to a bed.” (This is his reading material while he waits to murder someone)
And
“She was an unattractive girl. - Such a girl would be unloved, make few friends, have chips on her shoulder. - Perhaps her only pleasure in life was the triumphant secret she harbored in that flattish bosom.”
-feel quite gross to read? Okay, if we can agree on that, then we can talk about the book outside of its misogynistic overtones. I mean… it was alright. Flemming’s writing has some flair, but none of his characters are exceptionally deep. Their motivations often feel a bit hollow, and many of them are unlikeable in an entirely uninteresting way. But it’s your standard spy story otherwise which keeps it interesting.
Honestly, I picked up this particular Bond book because Tom Hiddleston reads the audio version, and I wanted to get through it before I get to its dedicated episodes on the Kill James Bond podcast. So I kinda went into this knowing that Bond was pretty scummy but I mean, I can’t say I didn’t enjoy the book enough to finish it.
Just in case it’s not clear though, Bond is not a good male icon, and to back it up, here’s my favorite gross quote that I wrote down while reading because I was so put off by it.
“They should invent a way for women to play the damn thing side saddle” (In reference to women not looking sexy playing the cello, and how he can’t imagine why this woman he’s obsessed with would choose to play cello because it would look so bulbous “between her thighs” Gross Bond. Someone needs to get Moneypenny a squirt bottle to spray him when he’s being nasty. He’s so gross though he would probably get off on that too.)
Edit: The irony is not lost on me on how I chose to pick up a Bond book titled Octopussy and somehow hoped that it wouldn’t be scummy. The Octopus’ name is Pussy. That’s where the title comes from. I don’t know what I was expecting.
oz617's review against another edition
4.0
On first read, I wasn't quite sure what to make of these. They're not the action-filled spy thrillers I've come to expect from the cultural idea of James Bond - whether that's more specific to the movies I don't know, but I was definitely surprised by these melancholy stories, more about daily aspects of Bond's job and about the man himself. Frankly, I was expecting Octopussy to be a woman sexualised to the point of camp. Her being a literal octopus caught me off guard.
When rereading, though, I was struck by what a tragicly honest picture they paint of Bond. Here's a man who hates his job, drinks to force himself through his duties, hopes with every mistake that this will be the one they fire him for... and the narrative knows this. In these stories -especially The Living Daylights - Bond's license to kill is not glamourised. If anything, it seems to be killing him in turn.
The missing star is for Maria Freudenstein, who deserved better, KGB agent or not.
When rereading, though, I was struck by what a tragicly honest picture they paint of Bond. Here's a man who hates his job, drinks to force himself through his duties, hopes with every mistake that this will be the one they fire him for... and the narrative knows this. In these stories -especially The Living Daylights - Bond's license to kill is not glamourised. If anything, it seems to be killing him in turn.
The missing star is for Maria Freudenstein, who deserved better, KGB agent or not.