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A review by topdragon
Octopussy & the Living Daylights by Ian Fleming
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.