Live and Let Die

[Editor's Note: The following is a combined review with GOLDFINGER and DR. NO.]--Through the filter of modern sensitivities, the James Bond adventures of Ian Fleming appear to be racist, sexist, overflowing with nicotine and alcohol, and melodramatic. But exchange that filter with one of historical perspective, and one finds oneself in a delightful romp out of time. Robert Whitfield's polished voice is an enchanting accompaniment to Fleming's exotic settings and stories. His English accent is as smooth as a dry martini--shaken not stirred--and he slips into other accents (West Indian and African American in LIVE & LET DIE, German in GOLDFINGER, and Chinese in DR. NO) as easily as the fictional 007 slips out of a dangerous situation and into the bed of a beautiful woman. Listening to these unabridged novels is more subtle than watching the films, but ultimately more rewarding. S.E.S. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine