On Her Majesty's Secret Service

A Real Treat

If you could sum up On Her Majesty's Secret Service in three words, what would they be?

Delightfully Sexist Bond

Who was your favorite character and why?

Bond, James Bond.

Which character – as performed by David Tennant – was your favorite?

David's James Bond, thanks to his Scottish accent and natural charisma, is a throw back to Sean Connery's and it is delightful. Tennant may never get to play him on the big screen, but listening to him play him in this book was a real treat.

Any additional comments?

Much has been made about the sexism is the Bond films. So much of his attitude towards women, it turns out, comes from the books! This was my first outing with a Bond novel and I was a little shocked at how (A) close it was to the movie and (B) how casually sexist it is. It was such a strange anachronism that I found myself just laughing at Bond and how he described and looked at women. The book is a product of its time and would not be written this way today (which I am thankful for), but that doesn't mean I didn't also enjoy it.

The story never stops moving forward, but that being said, it's plotted deliberately and almost slowly. I was constantly riveted, but was surprised at how it took its time to ramp up to the big action set pieces. Thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to my next Bond outting.

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When the odds are hopeless

“When the odds are hopeless, when all seems to be lost, then is the time to be calm, to make a show of authority – at least of indifference”
― Ian Fleming, On Her Majesty's Secret Service

One of my favorite Bond novels so far. It contains most of the things that draws people to Bond novels and movies (action, intrigue, charm, violence) and tones down some of the more obnoxious parts too (sexism, racism, etc). The character of Bond is fascinating in this novel as his normal cycle with women is warped a bit. The movie sticks pretty close to the book's narrative on this one, which is probably due to the fact that it was already a pretty well-developed story.

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My new favourite narrator!

Wow, David Tennant did a wonderful job narrating this book......not just because his (own) Scottish accent was a good fit for Bond (and brings in memories of Sean Connery as Bond), but because he also did wonderful voices for the other characters and the exposition (including bits of French or German). The right pacing, the right tone....all 'round wonderful.

As for the story......I liked this one more than many other Bonds, even though the movie version was hampered by the wrong actor. This is a more human, fragile, and emotional Bond - saving a woman from suicide, falling in love, getting married........all while saving England from catastrophe, of course. There's action in the high alps (lots of skiing and bobsledding), negotiations with a mobster, and even some undercover work requiring too much knowledge of ancestry and heraldic arms.

All greatly spun together by Tennant.

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Favorite narrator

Where does On Her Majesty's Secret Service rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Pretty high. I could listen to David Tennant read the phone book, but he captures James Bond so well.

Who was your favorite character and why?

How do you pick one? Of course I loved when he played Sir Hillary with his natural accent, but the German headmistress was pretty good too.

Have you listened to any of David Tennant’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Again, I've listened to almost all of his narrations, but this is on a different plane than his Doctor Who books. It's not the Doctor, it's definitely James Bond. His love of the books comes through his voice.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not particularly.

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Fun novel with a dark ending

This is my first Ian Fleming novel but I have seen most of the James Bond films. The antagonist in this one is Blofeld. The movie is amazingly faithful to the book. I shall definitely listen to other James Bond novels. Narrator David Tennant is as good as any I have listened to.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service is one of several Ian Fleming novels with both Kindle and Audible versions free to borrow for members of Kindle Unlimited. So far I have borrowed over 150 such books. The books are not permanently in my Audible library since they are only borrowed, but the average cost of the books based on the annual fee for Kindle Unlimited is very low. In addition, there are many books with Kindle Unlimited where the Kindle version is free to borrow and the Audible version can then be purchased for as little as $1.99. This is a great deal for Audible listeners.

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My new fave

Excellent story, with first class narration by Tennant. His character voices are wonderful and distinct, and consistant. Fleming writes with great clarity and humor.

Better than the Movie.

Good verbal imagery. I hated the end again, true to the enigmatic James Bond, thrilling.

perfect !!!

excellent book and David Tennant is a master narrator. highly recommend to any fan of both Flemming and Tennant's work

Great Series

This entire series is cool. The movies are great and the books do not disappoint.

Good Bond book

Very good book, the story is told very well even if a little sad at the end.