As just about everyone on the planet knows, Quantum of Solace is the title of the new James Bond movie starring Daniel Craig. Perhaps slightly less well known is that it’s also the name of a short story by Ian Fleming and it’s a reading of this which is presented here.
As you’d expect from a short story this is an unabridged reading but even so the running length is just 45 minutes which makes the almost £9 RRP seem slightly on the high side.
Fleming fans will know that this tale mostly consists of a British diplomat telling Bond a post-dinner story, there are no villains or adventures to be heard. However the Governor’s story is instead an enthralling story of personal betrayal, cruelty and eventual redemption.
The sleeve notes warn that some of the language, unchanged from the original text, might offend modern sensibilities. I welcome this approach, although the potential for offence is there I’d rather classic stories not be rewritten or sanitised, we should be capable to understanding language within the original context.
A high enjoyable listen which would make a great Christmas stocking filler.
Quantum of Solace is released November 6th by BBC Audiobooks