Quantum of Solace (hardback) [Hardcover]

This is quite an eclectic collection of stories giving Fleming the opportunity to play with themes and voices which might not have fitted into the novels. Despite the story titles, the film links are almost non-existent.

I hadn't read any of the Bond novels since school, so picked this up without any real expectations and have been charmed by the world and the characters he has created. The ability to switch from the sniper on a tree branch, to the colonial dinner party, to the raid on the machine gun-toting smugglers, to the high-society auction, without a false note, is what makes Bond the character stand out and it is also what makes this collection so enjoyable.

The majority of the stories are written in a simple, almost brutal prose, appropriate to their content, which zips them along nicely. Some of the more descriptive passages about snorkelling in coral seas or climbing in the mountains, and the title story which is mostly told through the eyes of an elderly colonial civil servant, show an ability to effectively switch styles and bring out a more reflective and human Bond than the films ever would.

The stories also feel thoroughly authentic - the casual low-level undertones of post-war nationalism, racism and misogyny ground the writing in its era in a way modern writers wouldn't dare. If you're unable to accept the mores-of-its-time aspect you may find this does grate at times. Fleming's natural and understated descriptions of the world of politics and espionage of that time have that authentic whiff of real experience and he doesn't feel the urge to unload patronising explanations of them on you in a way many modern writers - having put all that effort into extensive research at significant cost - seem intent on doing.

Several of the stories feel like they could have been developed further, I wondered if they were scenes edited out of the novels, but others including the title story stand up well on their own.

Overall I would recommend this collection and wouldn't say that you would need to have read the novels or enjoyed the films to get something out of it.

People expecting to read this book and get an idea as to what the new film is about will be disappointed when "Quantum of Solace" is released in November. The only thing the two have in common is the title. However the story is a very good one and I'm sure the film will also be superb.

This book is a collection of the short stories following Bond in "For Your Eyes Only" and "Octopussy and The Living Daylights". The Amazon description is wrong and the tales from "For Your Eyes Only" are "View to a Kill", "For Your Eyes Only", "Quantum of Solace", "Risico" and "The Hildebrand Rarity". From "Octopussy and The Living Daylights" comes "Octopussy", "The Living Daylights", "The Property of a Lady", and "007 in New York".

All very much worth a read and personal favorites include "The Living Daylights" and "For Your Eyes Only", however I don't think they quite live up to Bond's adventures in "Goldfinger" or "The Man With The Golden Gun".

Nevertheless well worth the price and more than enough to keep you entertained whilst reading.

Ian Fleming's various short stories featuring his suave super-spy have been collected in this bumper volume. Quantum of Solace (the recent film only has the title in common with the story) centres on an intriguing little anecdote that Bond is told by his friend the former British consul to the Bahamas; it is a tale of repressed passion, betrayal and revenge. From a View to a Kill is the taut and suspenseful tale of one of Bond's minor assignments and The Hildebrand Rarity (which was plundered for 1987 movie 'The Living Daylights') focuses on a rich playboy and his sadistic relationship with his beautiful wife. These stories show that Fleming had some range and are all well-crafted and absorbing studies of human nature; as such they provide a welcome counterpoint to the full-length 007 books and show a more thoughtful and human side to the legendary secret-agent.