Title: Solo: A James Bond Novel
Author: William Boyd
First published September 26, 2013
325 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780099578970 (ISBN10: 0099578972)
Rating: 3.52
Overview
2021. A new perilous mission.
A familiar face with a fresh set of challenges. James Bond is back in Solo: A James Bond Novel by William Boyd.
This time, the veteran secret agent must navigate a treacherous landscape of international espionage and danger, armed only with his wit, charm, and his trusted licence to kill. As he races against time to complete his mission, he must confront the ghosts of his past and fight to stay one step ahead of a cunning adversary.
Full of pulse-pounding action and suspense, Solo is a thrilling addition to the James Bond canon that will leave fans shaken and stirred.
About the Author
William Boyd was born on March 7th, 1952 in Accra, Ghana to a Scottish family. He spent his early years in Ghana and Nigeria, where his mother worked as a teacher and his father was a doctor.
It was during his time in Nigeria that he experienced the Biafran War, a secessionist conflict that had a significant impact on his life.
Boyd attended Gordonstoun school in Scotland at the age of nine before pursuing higher education at Nice University, where he earned a Diploma in French Studies, and Glasgow University, where he earned an MA Hons in English and Philosophy. During his time at Glasgow University, he served as the editor of the Glasgow University Guardian.
Boyd went on to earn a PhD in Shelley from Jesus College, Oxford in 1975.
After a brief stint as a TV critic for New Statesman magazine, Boyd returned to Oxford to teach as an English lecturer at St Hilda’s College from 1980 to 1983. It was during this time that his first novel was published in 1981.
Boyd was named one of the 20 ‘Best of Young British Novelists’ by Granta magazine and the Book Marketing Council in 1983, the same year he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. He was also awarded the Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and honorary doctorates in literature from the universities of St. Andrews, Stirling, and Glasgow.
In 2005, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Boyd has been married to his wife Susan since they met as students at Glasgow University. All of his books are dedicated to her.
Susan serves as editor-at-large of Harper’s Bazaar magazine, and the couple spends about thirty to forty days a year in the United States. They own a house in Chelsea, West London but spend most of their time at their chateau in Bergerac in south west France, where Boyd produces award-winning wines.
Editoral Review
Solo: A James Bond Novel by William Boyd is a thrilling addition to the classic James Bond series. Boyd’s writing style is elegant and fluid, lending itself perfectly to the world of espionage and intrigue.
The novel is set in 1969, and Boyd does an excellent job of capturing the feel of the era with his vivid descriptions of locations and characters.
The plot of the novel sees Bond sent on a mission to West Africa to investigate the disappearance of a fellow agent. Along the way, he encounters a cast of intriguing characters, including a beautiful and enigmatic woman named Blessing, who may hold the key to the mystery.
As Bond delves deeper into the case, he finds himself embroiled in a web of deceit and danger that threatens to consume him.
Boyd’s character development is top-notch, and he makes Bond feel more human than ever before. The spy is not invincible in this novel, and he makes mistakes that have real consequences.
The supporting cast of characters is also well-drawn, each with their own motivations and secrets.
The pacing of Solo is superb, with Boyd expertly balancing action and intrigue. The plot twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat throughout.
The themes of the novel are both timely and timeless, dealing with issues of race, power, and corruption.
One of the strengths of Solo is its historical context. Boyd uses the setting of West Africa in the late 1960s to explore the political and social issues of the time.
The novel provides a nuanced portrait of the region, one that is not often explored in popular fiction.
However, the novel is not without its flaws. Some of the plot twists feel a bit contrived, and the ending is somewhat unsatisfying.
Additionally, some of the dialogue feels a bit stilted and unnatural.
Overall, Solo: A James Bond Novel is a must-read for fans of the series or anyone who enjoys a good spy thriller. Boyd’s writing is superb, and his characters are engaging and well-drawn.
The historical context adds depth and richness to the story, and the pacing keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.
I would highly recommend Solo to anyone who enjoys a good spy thriller or is interested in exploring the political and social issues of West Africa in the late 1960s. While it may not be perfect, it is a compelling and entertaining read that is sure to thrill and delight fans of James Bond.
I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
