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elctrc's review against another edition
2.0
I'm sure I should have began my foray into Fleming from a different spot, but as it stands, I may not bother. The racism is so intense. I was prepared for the sexism (it's Bond, afterall), but the racism is incredible and in-your-face. And it's not as seen through the eyes of the characters in the story -- it's obvious that Fleming has a true hatred for blacks, Chinese, and anything in-between.
The story itself was better than I expected -- although the ending is anti-climactic at best. It was a fun read when I wasn't cringing. I quickly turned this one over to the kiddo to tear apart at his leisure...
The story itself was better than I expected -- although the ending is anti-climactic at best. It was a fun read when I wasn't cringing. I quickly turned this one over to the kiddo to tear apart at his leisure...
adamrshields's review against another edition
3.0
Short review: This is my first James Bond novel. It is pretty much what I expected. Slightly darker than the movies. Enjoyable read. Dated attitudes and setting.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/dr-no/
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/dr-no/
barts_books's review against another edition
4.0
A fun page turner. The second half suffers a bit compared to the first. Not helped by one of the most ridiculous fight scenes I've read in a thriller as Bond does battle with a caged giant squid! However, I can't help but smile at the incredibly dated charms of Fleming's iconic creation. I will be back for more, no doubt.
3.5 stars.
3.5 stars.
ericbuscemi's review against another edition
4.0
I listening to the audiobook version of this book, and although it dragged a bit in the middle, the gauntlet Bond was forced to navigate at the end more than made up for it. I loved some of the stereotypical tropes of Dr. No -- a megalomaniac madman with mechanical hands that tells Bond his entire evil plan before sending him to be killed without any witnesses present. Of course, if I read that in a current book, I would roll my eyes, but since these were where some of these tropes originated (see: Bond Villain Stupidity), I kind of enjoyed seeing them.
Merged review:
I listening to the audiobook version of this book, and although it dragged a bit in the middle, the gauntlet Bond was forced to navigate at the end more than made up for it. I loved some of the stereotypical tropes of Dr. No -- a megalomaniac madman with mechanical hands that tells Bond his entire evil plan before sending him to be killed without any witnesses present. Of course, if I read that in a current book, I would roll my eyes, but since these were where some of these tropes originated (see: Bond Villain Stupidity), I kind of enjoyed seeing them.
Merged review:
I listening to the audiobook version of this book, and although it dragged a bit in the middle, the gauntlet Bond was forced to navigate at the end more than made up for it. I loved some of the stereotypical tropes of Dr. No -- a megalomaniac madman with mechanical hands that tells Bond his entire evil plan before sending him to be killed without any witnesses present. Of course, if I read that in a current book, I would roll my eyes, but since these were where some of these tropes originated (see: Bond Villain Stupidity), I kind of enjoyed seeing them.
andrealoverke's review against another edition
3.0
I guess I have to admit that I am one of those people who never watched a Bond movie. I might start now because I liked the book. I picked it up at a book fair with 9 others for 1 euro. If it wasn't 10 books for 1 euro I probably would never have bought it. Just because I needed 10 and it was there, I picked it. And I didn't regret it for a minute.
kzizz's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
talina's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
One of the more interesting Bond girls I’ve encountered so far but the plot felt kind of kitschy and cliche. I’m aware it feels this way because it’s the originator of a lot of those cliches but the story itself isn’t strong enough to overcome being cannibalised by the narratives that came after it.
angela_king's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs
irendipity52's review against another edition
3.0
3'5.
Primera novela de James Bond que leo, por la universidad. Es como lo esperaba y al mismo tiempo no. Si no he visto todas las películas de Jams Bond cerca he estado, así que sabía de sobra como iba a funcionar: Bond tiene un caso, investiga, se infiltra, conoce a una chica, se enfrenta al malo que le pone en un gran peligro y al final él consigue escaparse y salvar a la chica. Siempre el mismo patrón. Y el libro, como es obvio, lo sigue.
Leer la novela era casi como ver una película. Las descripción, los diálogos, las escenas de acción parece que fueron escritas para ser adaptadas al cine. No cuesta apenas nada sumergirte en la historia y seguir los pasos de Bond. La escena final, en la Bond sobrevive a todo lo que se le pone por delante, es un no parar.
Eso sí, he tenido ciertos problemas con la relación Bond-chica Bond. Me lo esperaba, porque al parecer Bond sin una mujer a la que salvar no es Bond; pero había momentos en los que no podía evitar poner los ojos en blanco. Demasiado obvio, demasiado estúpido. Me pone muy de los nervios que cada mujer que aparece parezca derretirse con él.
Salvo eso, la novela en general me ha gustado y me ha entretenido. Ha sido divertido leer una novela del Agente 007, jamás pensé que lo haría, y para pasar el rato la recomiendo. Además me ha venido estupendamente porque no me apetecía leer el mismo tipo de libro que leo siempre, me ha sacado de la rutina.
Primera novela de James Bond que leo, por la universidad. Es como lo esperaba y al mismo tiempo no. Si no he visto todas las películas de Jams Bond cerca he estado, así que sabía de sobra como iba a funcionar: Bond tiene un caso, investiga, se infiltra, conoce a una chica, se enfrenta al malo que le pone en un gran peligro y al final él consigue escaparse y salvar a la chica. Siempre el mismo patrón. Y el libro, como es obvio, lo sigue.
Leer la novela era casi como ver una película. Las descripción, los diálogos, las escenas de acción parece que fueron escritas para ser adaptadas al cine. No cuesta apenas nada sumergirte en la historia y seguir los pasos de Bond. La escena final, en la Bond sobrevive a todo lo que se le pone por delante, es un no parar.
Eso sí, he tenido ciertos problemas con la relación Bond-chica Bond. Me lo esperaba, porque al parecer Bond sin una mujer a la que salvar no es Bond; pero había momentos en los que no podía evitar poner los ojos en blanco. Demasiado obvio, demasiado estúpido. Me pone muy de los nervios que cada mujer que aparece parezca derretirse con él.
Salvo eso, la novela en general me ha gustado y me ha entretenido. Ha sido divertido leer una novela del Agente 007, jamás pensé que lo haría, y para pasar el rato la recomiendo. Además me ha venido estupendamente porque no me apetecía leer el mismo tipo de libro que leo siempre, me ha sacado de la rutina.
nicolaaaaa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5