Bond, but Not as we Know Him

Cue the theme music!  I've just finished an audiobook of 'For Your Eyes Only' by Ian Fleming, part of AudioGo's 007 Reloaded series and read by Samuel West.

'For Your Eyes Only' by Ian Fleming
Read by Samuel West (AudioGo, 2013)

'For Your Eyes Only' is a collection of five short stories featuring nigh legendary British Secret Service agent James Bond.  The book includes familiar and unfamiliar titles 'From a View to a Kill', 'Quantum of Solace', 'Risico', 'The Hildebrand Rarity' and, of course 'For Your Eyes Only'. Telling tales of mysterious murders and personal vendettas, double-crossers and drug barons, exotic locations and discrete offices, these stories take you into a world you thought you knew, then shows you there is so much to Bond, James Bond.

I love short stories and this collection is one of my favourites so far.  The stand out piece is definitely 'Quantum of Solace'.  Forget the awful film, if you read no other work by Ian Fleming, read this.  It's subtle, it's heartbreaking and has a twist in the tail that tied the whole thing up beautifully.  As a result, I'm really looking forward to reading more by Mr Fleming and have high hopes for his other books.

I'm a great fan of Bond films and was a bit worried that the character of the novels would be so hard and impenetrable that I would be put off completely.  I knew that the film plots bear little, if any, resemblance to the books that share their titles, so that difference didn't come as a surprise.  To be honest, in some instances it was a relief, but if you wanted reviews of Bond films, you'd be reading a different blog!

The stories and the films will always draw comparisons, but I'm glad to say that the things that define a Bond film are all present and correct; exotic locations, beautiful women, rich living, vile villains and, of course, our savoir faire secret agent.

Far from a character assassination that put me off Bond, this book has made me more interested in him.  The great strength of these stories (and, I hope, the books I have yet to read) is that they let you get inside the head of the character.  We hear his thought processes and get a glimpse of the cold and analytical outlook he has on the world.  It's fascinating.  Suddenly Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is more than just a bored, vain, playboy assassin.

'For Your Eyes Only'
by Ian Fleming
(Vintage, 2012)

I enjoyed listening to 'For Your Eyes Only' as an audiobook and the interview given by the reader, Samuel West, at the end was quite interesting, although it would perhaps be more useful to trainee actors than readers.  Some may dislike the lack of music and sound effects, but this appealed to me as really all I wanted was the book read to me.  That's what I got and it meant I could use my own imagination, just as though I was reading it for myself.

So, if you're a reader and a fan of escapist action-adventure stories like the James Bond series, I think you'll enjoy this book in either format.  Like many a Bond girl, 'For Your Eyes Only' has certainly left me wanting more and I can't wait to read/listen to more by Ian Fleming.

Now, what next?

Uhtred Unleashed

I've just finished 'The Pagan Lord' by Bernard Cornwell, the latest in the Saxon Stories series and, I think, the best so far.

Uhtred of Bebbanburg is restless.  The characteristics that make him a hero in times of war are causing trouble in times of peace.  His sense self-importance, quick reactions and strength mean he soon clashes with the Church, while his reputation, status and daring make him a target for the devious Danes conspiring over the border.  Exiled from a Wessex dominated by a naive priesthood and hated by the Northmen whose plans he's repeatedly dashed, he finds himself alienated from everyone and everything that gives him direction and purpose.  Bereft of land and fortune and with few followers, Uhtred doesn't know what to do next.  So his thoughts return to an oath older than any sworn to King or Queen, a promise that draws him back to the fortress inheritance stolen from him as child.  Bebbanburg calls.

'The Pagan Lord' by Bernard Cornwell
(HarperCollins, 2013)

I thoroughly enjoyed 'The Pagan Lord'.  The plot was tighter than some of its predecessors and Mr Cornwell clearly took full advantage of the fact that the Uhtred of this book is a free agent, oath sworn to nobody, and that there were fewer known historical events for him to fit the plot around.  Mr Cornwell seized the opportunity to let his imagination run riot and, as a result, has created what I think is the best instalment yet.  I was on tenterhooks throughout and can't wait to see where Mr Cornwell takes his wayward warrior during his next outing.

I've heard the Saxon Stories described as 'Game of Thrones but real', which I think does them a disservice.  Historical fiction is where mud and myth meet, where hearsay and history are combined expertly to evoke a past that we all have links to  Not only does a plot have to be built around indisputable events and facts, it has to be interesting and surprising enough to make us keep reading.  A really good piece of historical fiction will not only tell you about the past, but make you feel something about it too.  'The Pagan Lord' recreates bloody battles, rural landscapes and Dark Ages culture, but also presents engaging characters who make you think about how it may have felt to step into your first shieldwall, crew a warship on violent seas or live amongst the ruins of the Roman world.

Usually when reading a series of books, it makes sense to start at the beginning.  But if someone asked me which Saxon Story to start, I would be sorely tempted to suggest this one.  So let's hope no-one ever asks.  It's nice to have something this good to look forward to!

Related Posts

'Sword Song' by Bernard Cornwell (Saxon Story Four)

'The Burning Land' by Bernard Cornwell (Saxon Story Five)

'The Death of Kings' by Bernard Cornwell (Saxon Story Six)

Journo Wheeze!

I've just taken a little detour and read the short but sweet 'Romps, Tots and Boffins' by Robert Hutton.

'Romps, Tots and Boffins' is a collection of journalese - the words and phrases that only ever appear in the Great British press or have particular meanings in the print media.  The pages of this book are full of phrases so familiar to anyone who has read a UK newspaper that their idiosyncrasy has almost become invisible.  But this isn't a serious academic study.  Examples such as fat cat, funnyman, love rat,  fashionistas, U-turn, flagship, barrage of criticism, Champagne lifestyle and more are each accompanied by a tongue-in-cheek definition, many of which are very funny indeed.

This book is a fascinating peek behind the veil of ink and paper into the newsroom itself.  I've had a suspicion for a while that there was almost a code to using these words and phrases, but it was still a surprise to find out that there sort of is!  It is an intriguing must-read for anyone training to be a journalist or with an interest in language or the media. 

But before you rush out to buy a copy, I have to say that unfortunately, I do think 'Romps, Tots and Boffins' is overpriced and risks limiting its audience as a result, which is a real shame.  Bearing in mind that 'Weird Things Customers say in Bookshops' cost me £7.99 and was a lot more varied, I don't think this book is worth its RRP of £9.99.  But then again, it may be much cheaper when it comes out in paperback.

Overall, I think there is a readership which would really enjoy this book, but I think the initial price will put them off.  Hopefully it will be much cheaper in paperback and will find its way into a lot of stockings for Christmas 2014.

Now back to 'The Pagan Lord'!