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Octopussy and 007 in New York
For James Bond, British secret agent 007, international espionage can be a dirty business. Whether it is tracking down a wayward major who has taken a deadly secret with him to the Caribbean, to touching down in New York to protect a former operative falling into the clutches of the KGB, Bond always closes the case – with extreme prejudice.
- GenresShort StoriesThriller
57 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2008
56 people want to read
About the author
Ian Fleming
745 books3,389 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ian Lancaster Fleming was an English writer, best known for his postwar James Bond series of spy novels. Fleming came from a wealthy family connected to the merchant bank Robert Fleming & Co., and his father was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Henley from 1910 until his death on the Western Front in 1917. Educated at Eton, Sandhurst, and, briefly, the universities of Munich and Geneva, Fleming moved through several jobs before he started writing.
While working for Britain's Naval Intelligence Division during the Second World War, Fleming was involved in planning Operation Goldeneye and in the planning and oversight of two intelligence units: 30 Assault Unit and T-Force. He drew from his wartime service and his career as a journalist for much of the background, detail, and depth of his James Bond novels.
Fleming wrote his first Bond novel, Casino Royale, in 1952, at age 44. It was a success, and three print runs were commissioned to meet the demand. Eleven Bond novels and two collections of short stories followed between 1953 and 1966. The novels centre around James Bond, an officer in the Secret Intelligence Service, commonly known as MI6. Bond is also known by his code number, 007, and was a commander in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. The Bond stories rank among the best-selling series of fictional books of all time, having sold over 100 million copies worldwide. Fleming also wrote the children's story Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang and two works of non-fiction. In 2008, The Times ranked Fleming 14th on its list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945".
Fleming was married to Ann Fleming. She had divorced her husband, the 2nd Viscount Rothermere, because of her affair with the author. Fleming and Ann had a son, Caspar. Fleming was a heavy smoker and drinker for most of his life and succumbed to heart disease in 1964 at the age of 56. Two of his James Bond books were published posthumously; other writers have since produced Bond novels. Fleming's creation has appeared in film twenty-seven times, portrayed by six actors in the official film series.
Ian Lancaster Fleming was an English writer, best known for his postwar James Bond series of spy novels. Fleming came from a wealthy family connected to the merchant bank Robert Fleming & Co., and his father was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Henley from 1910 until his death on the Western Front in 1917. Educated at Eton, Sandhurst, and, briefly, the universities of Munich and Geneva, Fleming moved through several jobs before he started writing.
While working for Britain's Naval Intelligence Division during the Second World War, Fleming was involved in planning Operation Goldeneye and in the planning and oversight of two intelligence units: 30 Assault Unit and T-Force. He drew from his wartime service and his career as a journalist for much of the background, detail, and depth of his James Bond novels.
Fleming wrote his first Bond novel, Casino Royale, in 1952, at age 44. It was a success, and three print runs were commissioned to meet the demand. Eleven Bond novels and two collections of short stories followed between 1953 and 1966. The novels centre around James Bond, an officer in the Secret Intelligence Service, commonly known as MI6. Bond is also known by his code number, 007, and was a commander in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. The Bond stories rank among the best-selling series of fictional books of all time, having sold over 100 million copies worldwide. Fleming also wrote the children's story Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang and two works of non-fiction. In 2008, The Times ranked Fleming 14th on its list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945".
Fleming was married to Ann Fleming. She had divorced her husband, the 2nd Viscount Rothermere, because of her affair with the author. Fleming and Ann had a son, Caspar. Fleming was a heavy smoker and drinker for most of his life and succumbed to heart disease in 1964 at the age of 56. Two of his James Bond books were published posthumously; other writers have since produced Bond novels. Fleming's creation has appeared in film twenty-seven times, portrayed by six actors in the official film series.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 23, 2023
This is a Bond book in the same way that The Spy Who Came In From the Cold is a George Smiley book. Almost an attempt at being a little more literary that straight spy genre.
January 4, 2025
I read my first Bond, Casino Royale, a couple of years ago now, and intended to read more. I found Fleming's style well suited to the subject matter - terse, methodical, extraneous details omitted.
My list of books to read is far too long, and I couldn't find space for any of his other full-length novels, but I've had this slim volume on my shelf for years - I think it was a free giveaway in a Sunday Times long ago - and decided to blast through it today.
There isn't much for me to respond to. The first story, Octopussy, barely features Bond at all. The story is engaging enough for what it is, but I'm left wondering, what's the point?
I was familiar with the title of the second story, 007 in New York, being one of the few titles not yet used for a motion picture. Although it is only a couple of pages long, I found it a better story for a Bond fan, as at least we get some insight into the character as he muses his way through an airport and into the city. But again, literally nothing happens, and although it was readable, there's not enough here for me to care about.
My list of books to read is far too long, and I couldn't find space for any of his other full-length novels, but I've had this slim volume on my shelf for years - I think it was a free giveaway in a Sunday Times long ago - and decided to blast through it today.
There isn't much for me to respond to. The first story, Octopussy, barely features Bond at all. The story is engaging enough for what it is, but I'm left wondering, what's the point?
I was familiar with the title of the second story, 007 in New York, being one of the few titles not yet used for a motion picture. Although it is only a couple of pages long, I found it a better story for a Bond fan, as at least we get some insight into the character as he muses his way through an airport and into the city. But again, literally nothing happens, and although it was readable, there's not enough here for me to care about.
December 7, 2020
Octopussy is a tale of how war may have turned a good man bad. Fleming's Smythe, is a retired RM Officer, having served in Europe during WWII and latterly for the Secret Service. He's living out his days in the tropical paradise of Jamaica; diving, drinking and smoking, but hiding a dark secret. The story is gripping insofar that it's central to the genesis of Bond.
In 007 in New York, Fleming brings a palpable sense of Bond and indeed the city to the reader. Bonds love of good food, clothes, gadgets and drink are all alluded to set against the backdrop of the big Apple. Wonderfully evocative of a glamorous 1950's post war America.
In 007 in New York, Fleming brings a palpable sense of Bond and indeed the city to the reader. Bonds love of good food, clothes, gadgets and drink are all alluded to set against the backdrop of the big Apple. Wonderfully evocative of a glamorous 1950's post war America.
March 6, 2022
Two amazing, classic James Bond short stories. 007 in New York is a swift glimpse into Bond’s upcoming mission while he reminisces on the city’s triumphs and shortcomings. Octopussy, while much different than the exciting blockbuster film featuring Roger Moore, is a tropical investigation where Bond uncovers the truth about a man who committed a wrongful act against the Service.
December 30, 2021
4/5 for Octopussy. A fairly entertaining, quick read.
1/5 for 007 in New York. Absolute nonsense. A brief, negative review of NYC plus a scrambled egg recipe…
1/5 for 007 in New York. Absolute nonsense. A brief, negative review of NYC plus a scrambled egg recipe…
August 18, 2016
Two Fleming (what's with the double m Goodreads?) stories/essays in which James Bond barely feature. The first is really more a travel piece about 60s New York. Fleming didn't like New York and was rather rude about it in "Thrilling Cities" so wrote this to placate his American publisher. Octopussy is a short story about a ex-soldier being tracked down for a Wartime crime. It is set in Jamaica and perhaps reveals more of Fleming's expatriate experience than much else. Readable enough stuff, if rather dated.
August 30, 2016
James Bond from the books continues to live the most mundane spy life. The stories were perfectly good to listen to, and continue to be absolutely nothing like the movies.
March 19, 2015
Short but sweet, will read more Bond as I liked this a fair bit.
August 25, 2019
Well that was... an education
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews