Octopussy (James Bond Adventures) [AUDIOBOOK] [UNABRIDGED] (Audio Cassette)

by Ian Fleming (Author), David Rintoul (Narrator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In a chilling drama starring secret agent James Bond, the legendary 007 deals with a rich, deranged major who cannot cope when his greedy past catches up with him. Reissue. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From AudioFile
Three James Bond novellas come alive in Robert Whitfield's expert hands. The best, THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS, follows Bond's thoughts and actions as he watches a beautiful cellist while waiting for a KGB sniper, events movie viewers will remember as the initial action in the movie of the same title. Also featured are PORTRAIT OF A LADY, about Bond's trip to Sotheby's in--literally--a bid to catch a Russian spy, and OCTOPUSSY, a story about a major's criminal activity, in which Bond plays only a small role. Robert Whitfield gives Bond a smooth, urbane voice, managing not to reflect any of the actors who've played the British spy on screen. He also nimbly handles the major's inner dialogue in OCTOPUSSY. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Chivers Audio Books; Unabridged edition (December 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0745167179
• ISBN-13: 978-0745167176
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,167,489 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fleming's least known 007 book, February 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Octopussy (Hardcover)

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Storytelling, July 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Octopussy (Hardcover)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gripping stories with the always likable James Bond!, September 4, 1999

By	Linda W Finocchiaro (NYC, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Octopussy (James Bond) (Paperback)

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!