Fil Garrison’s Reviews > For Your Eyes Only > Status Update

The Hildebrand Rarity: My second favorite of the stories in this collection, and possibly a contender for my favorite bond story? It turns out that Bond is a more fascinating character when he's not inside his own story. Fantastic to watch a stone cold killer be ruled up by a rude, boorish, abusive American and see him get what he deserves. Bond is uncharacteristically empathetic here, and it makes a hell of a story.

Risico: Read up a bit on this one, apparently it was to be part of a James Bond television series, one of three episodes adapted into short stories. It's okay for a bond story, kind of run of the mill, straightforward, none of the characters is particularly memorable, neither the villains or the eventual tenuous allies. Might be my least favorite bond story so far. Not traditional, not groundbreaking. Just there. 3*

Quantum of Solace: Now realizing this is one of my favorite Bond stories. A very simple story, Bond listens to a Governor's recounting of a man and a woman's meeting, courtship, affair, and subsequent divorce, as Bond feels thoroughly disinterested in the human element of a story. He's drawn in and given new meaning, putting his own pulp adventures into stark context. Fleming outdoes himself on this one. 5 stars.

From a View to Kill: It'll be interesting to read some bond short stories alongside Sherlock Holmes short stories, arguably two of the most famous British pulp inventions. I've enjoyed just about every other bond story, but for my money this is just... Fine? It doesn't bring much new to the table, no interesting villain, no twist in Bond's character, just an easy breezy somewhat murder mystery. It's fine. 3 stars.