Octopussy: Library Edition

Rating:
Summary: Fleming's least known 007 book
Review: As Conan Doyle did in the late 1890's (and as others like Ellery Queen and Agatha Christie followed), Ian Fleming seemed to has suscribed the theory that sometimes "less is more" in writing a story, thus chosing a short tale instead of a long one for more impact. This book comprises, in its final form, three novelettes a la "For Your Eyes Only". The book was first printed in 1966 (being the last release of a Fleming original), but the stories were written and fictionally occur after "The Spy Who Loved Me" and before "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". The title episode is another showcase for Fleming's ability to write a story in the true sense, picturing a tale of a man's life since the WWII up to his last days in the Caribbean. Bond is merely an excuse for a dramatic tale of greed, murder and treachery. This story is highlighted by another excellent underwater frame-sequence. "The Living Daylights" is pure Bond, from his practice with the rifle outside London to the tense climax at Berlin. This story is another twist of the plot of "For Your Eyes Only", showing 007 as an assassin questioning about his job but doing it the best he can. Excellent surprising villain(ess). "The Property of a Lady" is a brief example of the author's master touch for describing with great detail and gusto parts of recent history and all kind of things and subjects, in this case jewels and auctions. The development itself is direct and simple, too short indeed, with an ending that doesn't matter as much as the description of the events. By the way, this episode refers to another traitor in the Service. A collection of odd but varied 007 missions.

Rating:
Summary: Very Good Storytelling
Review: Octopussy is a very good short story collection, though "For Your Eyes Only" was better, if you ask me. As Fleming proved in "FYEO", he can make a good story with little help from 007. The title story also proves this. In it, Bond makes little more than a cameo appearance. The main character is the power-hungry Dexter Smythe. His is obsessed with his pet octopus, which ends up causing his deliciously ironic demise. "The Living Daylights" is also very good. I like the ending to the story, but you already know what's going to happen if you've seen the first fifteen minutes of the "Living Daylights" movie. The book loses a star for "The Property of a Lady", which is dull. I advise a reader to just skip it. Despite one disappointing story, I enjoyed this book very much.

Rating:
Summary: Very Good Storytelling
Review: Octopussy is a very good short story collection, though "For Your Eyes Only" was better, if you ask me. As Fleming proved in "FYEO", he can make a good story with little help from 007. The title story also proves this. In it, Bond makes little more than a cameo appearance. The main character is the power-hungry Dexter Smythe. His is obsessed with his pet octopus, which ends up causing his deliciously ironic demise. "The Living Daylights" is also very good. I like the ending to the story, but you already know what's going to happen if you've seen the first fifteen minutes of the "Living Daylights" movie. The book loses a star for "The Property of a Lady", which is dull. I advise a reader to just skip it. Despite one disappointing story, I enjoyed this book very much.

Rating:
Summary: Boring
Review: This seems to be some mesh left in a drawer and published just to make some more money. The stories are to short and don't give any depth or real interest in Bond, compared to the normal novels.

Rating:
Summary: Gripping stories with the always likable James Bond!
Review: This was my first James Bond book, and so I didn't know what to expect. This book is all in all good. "Octopussy" is a good story, but, since it is lacking James Bond for most of it, it doesn't have the pace of the others. "The Living Daylights" is by far the best, with a suspenseful climax and interesting descriptions of drab Berlin. "The Property of a Lady" is not very suspenseful, but it was still a very good read. I am definitely going to read another Fleming soon!

Rating:
Summary: Gripping stories with the always likable James Bond!
Review: This was my first James Bond book, and so I didn't know what to expect. This book is all in all good. "Octopussy" is a good story, but, since it is lacking James Bond for most of it, it doesn't have the pace of the others. "The Living Daylights" is by far the best, with a suspenseful climax and interesting descriptions of drab Berlin. "The Property of a Lady" is not very suspenseful, but it was still a very good read. I am definitely going to read another Fleming soon!

Rating:
Summary: A Gem
Review: Without doubt taut, memorable and thrilling....as usual.