Quantum Of Solace: The Complete James Bond Short Stories (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
Consisting of a series of stories some of which may be familiar to fans of the movies, and some of which won't this is an excellent place to start if you have ever felt like reading the original james bond.Some of these stories are barely more than diversions, 007 in New York is merely the thoughts of bond as he takes a taxi in New York and the title story is a tale told to Bond. But others are mini movies. From a View to a Kill: Fairly straight to the point short story. 4 starsFor Your Eyes Only: This story is a bit longer, and has more to it. There is a good deal of description to this story, to the point where it is very easy to imagine the surroundings or imaginings of Bond. I liked how Bond was trying to keep his mind occupied on his hike, with random questions coming to mind. It made him feel very real. However, his interactions with Judy Havelock were insulting and downright disturbing. I honestly can't see why Judy would want anything to do with him afterwards, except as someone to get first aid from. If I were her, I would have shot him with an arrow even when he agreed to let her take point in the mission. 3.5 starsQuantum of Solace: Bond and a Governor have a conversation. 3 starsRisico: Double-crosses, smuggling, and lots of action. 5 starsThe Hildebrand Rarity: Bond covers up the murder of an annoying man to protect both a beautiful woman and a friend, during an expedition to find a rare fish. 2.5 starsOctopussy: The story of a man who killed someone important to Bond. 3 starsThe Property of a Lady: Capturing a Russian operative through an auction house. 2 starsThe Living Daylights: Bond is such a whiner in this story! Why doesn't the man just quit if he doesn't want the job? I would've been able to enjoy this story a lot better if he didn't whine and complain so much. 1 star007 in New York: Cute little story about what Bond would like to do in New York if his plans are uninterrupted. Amusing, at least. Not much of a story, but a nice way to pass the time. 4 starsI have to say, it is interesting how Fleming is portraying Bond's character. At one moment, he seems to regret his job decision, wishing that he didn't have to take others' lives, and then another moment, he is itching for another job. Admittedly, the stories that these sentiments are featured in I believe are several years apart, so that could have something to do with his change in attitude.What does not seem to change, however, is his attitude towards women. All women are girls to him and if their fates are never his business. If they are getting beaten by their husbands, it isn't his business, he won't step in and try to help, because obviously if she didn't want to get beaten, she would have left her husband by now. If a woman is to be killed, oh well, it had to happen. But if it is a man, or an animal? Then he has regrets. Then he second guesses himself, tries to think of ways to save the man or animal. But never a woman. This really does make me curious. (edit; 'The Living Daylights,' Bond does care about the fate of a woman, opting to only injure the left hand of a female KGB operative instead of killing her, despite his orders. However, he still rationalizes her fate away. In the end, he simply hopes that by fouling up the mission, he'll be stripped of his Double-O status and be put to paperwork, which is apparently what he really wants to do at this point in his career...)
What do You think about Quantum Of Solace: The Complete James Bond Short Stories (2008)?
I have come to the conclusion that I enjoy James Bond immensely as a character, but can stand Fleming's writing only in smaller doses. The majority of the novels are too much. I read for the exposition, enjoy Bond's charisma, and Fleming's natural talent for elaborating on people, and settings, and subjects of all miscellany, then at the sign of the first trope leading the story into a mire of ridiculousness, in a knee-jerk reaction, I throw the book across the room. Afterward, in between other books, I may get around to skimming through the ending, just to see. These short stories deviate from Fleming's formulaic (and trope-ridden) approach to the novels. They show us different aspects of the character, through unique perspectives. We glimpse Bond in circumstances other than his typical super-villain-hunting missions, and glean insights into how he behaves when out of the usual line of duty, associating with other characters in distinctly unique fashions, for his own reasons. In short, Bond is more Bond in these stories. I've picked up one last novel, I should disclaim, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and so far this one's got me hooked. But I keep cringing in anticipation with every page I turn.
—Gabi
I enjoyed all the Bond books, and read them at a clip in 2008. This one is just a collection of short stories, but if you've read a few full-length volumes ahead of this, the change of pace will be nice.Some are a bit humorous and flimsy, others are hard-hitting. If you're just sampling Bond, this might be it, or it might be one to skip. If you're going for the series it's of course a must and I'd read it in the order of publication.I will say that it's nice seeing how different this story is from the film that came out later. Check it out.
—lisha
Not usually much of a fan of short stories, but these were very exciting. Varied too.
—Sarah
Some great stuff in this collection. And some very literary storylines. Loved it.
—claus
