Moonraker

By: Ian Fleming

Narrated by: Bill Nighy

Length: 7 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

The Moonraker project has a millionaire backer, the war hero Sir Hugo Drax - a man who, it seems, cheats at cards. With a ballistic rocket at stake, Sir Hugo’s exposure could threaten Britain’s latest defence system, so James Bond is asked to investigate. Moving from London’s most exclusive gambling club to a missile silo on the Channel coast, 007 and his Special Branch assistant, Gala Brand, discover there’s more to Drax than meets the eye.

Includes an exclusive bonus interview with Bill Nighy.

Ian Fleming was born in London in 1908. He was educated at Eton and worked as a journalist in Moscow and a banker and stockbroker in London before becoming personal assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence during the Second World War. He wrote his first Bond novel, Casino Royale, in 1952 at Goldeneye, his home in Jamaica. Since then James Bond has gone on to become a global phenomenon.

Bill Nighy is a multi-award-winning actor who has appeared in many TV dramas, including State of Play, The Girl in the Café and Page Eight, for which he received a Golden Globe Best Actor nomination. He won Best Supporting Actor BAFTA for his role as Billy Mack in Love Actually, while his other films include Pirates of the Carribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and the smash hit The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

©1955 Ian Fleming Publications Ltd (P)2013 Ian Fleming Publications Ltd. © AudioGO Ltd, 2012. James Bond and 007 are registered trademarks of Danjaq LLC, used under licence by Ian Fleming Publications Ltd.

Critic reviews

"I couldn’t put the book down until it was finished." ( Daily Telegraph
"Mercilessly readable." ( The Listener)
"Moonraker establishes its author as Mr. Eric Ambler’s rival or successor." ( Tablet)
"It’s all utterly disgraceful and highly enjoyable." ( The Spectator)
"Astonish me!” the addict may challenge; Mr Fleming can knock him sideways." ( The Scotsman)

Bill Nighy is exquisite. A fantastic listen from s

Bill Nighy is exquisite. A fantastic listen from start to finish with excellent characters, excitement and animation throughout.

Wonderful Reading of a Classic Story

This is a superb presentation by Bill Nighy of this classic early James Bond tale. The story itself is rather comically dated in terms values and culture we are after all a long way from the early 1960's. However in terms of a ripping yarn superbly presented you really couldn't go much better than this. Bill Nighy covers all the characters superbly, giving each one life without ever entering into parody. I look forward to investigating others in this series, all read by experienced actors which make such works a pleasure.

love 007

James bond was always my favorite franchise, red the whole book set Back in high school and fall in love ever since, Ian is an amazing writer.

great listen

The movies seem to have damaged 007 stories too much. Almost like these stories are other stories.
Lots of period,1950's drama and really enjoyable. Surprised me I loved this one so much.I liked Bill Nighy reading as he gave Bond a maybe less than macho super hero persona and more lovable, in spite of his cold eyes. I have to look at Flemming again.
The little Nighy 'take' at the end could have been deleted. not an interview, just comment.

I like it

Realistic boys own adventure where JB doesn't always gets who he wants but saves the day. A fun listen even though Bill Nighy is a little different to the other narrators. Come to think of it, should super spies play Bridge?

The strongest book so far

I thoroughly enjoyed this third entry in the Fleming Bond novels. I think that it’s clear that by this point, Fleming really had become comfortable with character development. I also like the unexpected setting with Bond having to save his own country from within rather than from overseas. Finally, Bill Nighy’s reading was brilliant, and although Dan Stevens and Rory Kinnear are excellent, I think Nighy just edges over for me with his clever realisation of characters and strong narrative technique. Highly recommended.

Original story. Do not compare to the film

This the the first James Bond Book I’ve ever heard. I assumed the story would be the same as the film. It is not. But. It’s a great story and very much of its time. Well read and easy to follow.

Great

excellent, not a fan of the female voice but otherwise amazing performance and engaging story.

Don't want to review

Just filling words to be able to star the book. What an idiot decision to make reviewing mandatory