A new James Bond story set in the sixties.

Not too dissimilar to the Ian Fleming stories.

There are a couple of things that seem to be there simply to add length to the novel, but don't add anything to the underlying story.

*** Spoiler ***

There's a lot of time spent in the flashback to World War II that seems somewhat superfluous, other than reminding the reader that Bond is a character grounded in the 50s and 60s.

There is an inordinate amount of prose spent describing Bond's perusal of the Jensen cars. Personally my recollection of these cars is that they looked OK, but rusted quite quickly. One has to question why this fascination with a car that was not well known (especially outside the UK). The majority of Bond fans today will of course never give credence to this as they expect Bond to drive an Aston Martin - that's what the films tell us. Those who have read the Fleming books know different.

*** End of spoiler ***

The storyline is fairly straightforward and the plot moves along at a reasonable pace. There are a couple of inconsistencies relating to Bond's training and capabilities in the story at a couple of points. There are also characters that are introduced but not developed fully, but seem to have been put there simply as a means of moving the plot onward. Fairly simplistic device that one would not have expected from an experienced author.

The ending of the book also is very brief. Almost as if the author simply wanted a quick way to round things off.

I wonder if William Boyd has an intention of writing a sequel as there is definitely a loose end or two?

So. A reasonable read. Not the best novel I have read. Passed some time.

I suspect this will be of interest to those who have read Bond before - for completeness. I think as Bond now is clearly high profile due to the reboot from the cinema the concept of a sixties Bond, while interesting, is unlikely to break any records. I think people want a 21st century Bond...but of course that's simply my opinion. ( )

A quick read, helped by breakfast in bed on Saturday morning.... a bit 'nice' as I remembered James Bond as being nastier - but it's so long since I read the Flemming books that I might well be quite wrong. Enjoyed the African bits especially. ( )

Excellent continuation of Ian Flemings "007" ( )

Excellent continuation of Ian Flemings "007" ( )

> 1969. Espion chevronné, membre surdoué des services secrets de Sa Majesté, James Bond célèbre ses quarante-cinq ans avec une mission peu ordinaire : mettre un terme à la guerre civile qui déchire le Zanzarim, petit pays d’Afrique occidentale. Aidé par la ravissante Grâce, mais piégé par les forces rebelles, il est grièvement blessé. Dès lors, il ignore les ordres de M, son énigmatique patron. Poussé par un désir téméraire de vengeance, il s’engage en solitaire dans une folle aventure, qui l’emmène à Washington. Il y découvre un réseau d’intrigues géopolitiques et devient le témoin d’autres atrocités.
007 tient sa revanche. Mais aura-t-il vraiment raison de son ennemi, l’homme aux deux visages ?
—admincb (Culturebox)