You Only Live Twice

By: Ian Fleming

Narrated by: Martin Jarvis

James Bond seems unable to function after the death of his wife. Determined to restore 007 to the effective agent he used to be, M sends him on a mission to Japan, to the mysterious ‘Castle of Death’ and into the lair of an old and terrifying enemy. For Bond and Blofeld, this will be their final encounter. Only one of them can survive.

Includes an exclusive bonus interview with Martin Jarvis.

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.

Martin Jarvis OBE has recorded more than 150 Just William stories for the BBC. These have become international audio bestsellers. He won the Theatre World Award for his starring role on Broadway in By Jeeves; his West End appearances include works by Ayckbourn, Frayn, Pinter and Wilde. Screen successes include everything from Stargate Atlantis, Dr Who and Numb3rs to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the Oscar®-winning Titanic.

©1964 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

"Must rank among the best of the Bond tales." ( Bookman)
"As damnably readable as ever." ( Daily Herald)
"Rich, wonderful stuff, Fleming at his flaming best." ( New York Times)
"Fleming doesn’t waste a word… his sense of surprise is perfect" (BBC)
"Escapism in the grand manner." ( Boston Globe)

What a journey!

After the initial background to Bonds new mission, this book takes you on a wonderful journey. Ian Fleming's knowledge and experience must have been considerable. Because the characters he has created and the way they interact with the story are wonderful.

The narration adds to the enjoyment of this audiobook. When I first started listening to it, the narration of Martin Jarvis didn't immediately grab me. But as it goes on, you enjoy his narration and appreciate his skill more and more.

If you've seen the movie, you'll recognise parts of the book they've incorporated into it. But thankfully the book and movie are two different things. I love both and I'm glad this book is different because the word Fleming has created in it is a great experience.

Along with Moonraker, this will go down as one of my favourites of the Bond collection. I have not read the remainder of the collection or book 11, On Her Majesty's Secret Service yet.

impeccable story of another 007 adventure

First the reading: you can perceive the different characters as being told and imagine their appearance in your own visual mind as the reader portrays the different vocal expressions of the characters in the story.
second the story: amazing and incredible. taking my mind across a world never imagined and yet giving my visual references to relate to the scenery.
leading the reader to the last word. which I can only imagine if one was reading the physical book would want to turn the last page for more.
thank you to the reader and audible and Ian Fleming for this book. thank you