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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
I think I may have been somewhat spoiled by the Bond movies. The James Bond in Casino Royale is just not the sexy, dangerous 007 I know. Bond in this does not making the smartest decisions, lets his guard down too easily for the girl. He's also a sexist pig. I'm sorry, but what kind of man even thinks that making love to a certain woman will always "have the sweet tang of rape"?? I think my draw dropped open at that. Sexism is one thing- that's just wrong.
I have to say I enjoyed the gambling part of the book, learning how to play baccarat, seeing if bond would win. The stuff that came after, really supposed to be the exciting part, was a little annoying for me and I can't really put my finger on why. Maybe because Bond was not at all in control, of his emotions or the situation.
Simon Vance did a wonderful job reading the story, as I expected. I was amused by the flat American voices. I don't think of Americans as having an accent, of course, but listening to Vance with all the British characters, the odd American really stands out.
I have to say I enjoyed the gambling part of the book, learning how to play baccarat, seeing if bond would win. The stuff that came after, really supposed to be the exciting part, was a little annoying for me and I can't really put my finger on why. Maybe because Bond was not at all in control, of his emotions or the situation.
Simon Vance did a wonderful job reading the story, as I expected. I was amused by the flat American voices. I don't think of Americans as having an accent, of course, but listening to Vance with all the British characters, the odd American really stands out.
It's kind of amazing how this original source material became the James Bond popularized in film. This book is more a noir spy story than an action thriller. This Bond is particularly unlikable as horribly misogynistic. And numerous pages are taken up by description of a baccarat game. Yet I enjoyed quite a bit and will be reading more.
While the book suffers from age, it is great to read the original. There really isn't anyone who knows Bond like Fleming does. Definitely worth the time to read the book that started it all.
An ideal book to dissuade fans of cinema's James Bond from reading any more James Bond novels. Mystifying pacing and strange, overwrought description pepper a thin plot of a man spending an evening at a casino. The plot "thickens" in an afterthought of a final chapter, which comes far too long after what seems to be the climax. Those are the structural problems I find with this book, but they're really the least of its problems when it is read in 2015. The main thing is this novel's really despicable attitude towards the world and the relentless misogyny. James Bond is a callous and disgusting abyss of a man, and I wish I hadn't read this book.
It was boring. Spy thrillers must have been so much easier to write back when the most advanced technology was the telegram. It is well written but boring for the same reason the early bond movies are widely considered boring now. Slow. Very, very slow.
First James Bond.... pleasantly surprised with this James Bond story... not at all like the cheesy movies that are churned out.. this is definitely more gritty and gives a good initiation into the world of 007..
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the James Bond movies for years and I finally decided to give the books a shot
I listened to the audio book from my library and I have to say, it took a bit of getting used to. I had never listened to an audio book I hadn't read the physical book of first.
I did very much enjoy the story once I got used to the narration. I felt like I could play at the casino by the time I reached the end of the game. I really enjoyed Vespa and her plot twist. But while I liked the writing style, I found Fleming to be very sexist. I understand that this was written in the 1950's, but it still bothered me. I would still recommend this book to James Bond fans, this is just a warning to those who have a problem with this kind of sexism.
I listened to the audio book from my library and I have to say, it took a bit of getting used to. I had never listened to an audio book I hadn't read the physical book of first.
I did very much enjoy the story once I got used to the narration. I felt like I could play at the casino by the time I reached the end of the game. I really enjoyed Vespa and her plot twist. But while I liked the writing style, I found Fleming to be very sexist. I understand that this was written in the 1950's, but it still bothered me. I would still recommend this book to James Bond fans, this is just a warning to those who have a problem with this kind of sexism.
The first of the James Bond novels and one most closely adapted to its film counterpart. The setup builds well from bomb to betrayal with an introduction to the heroic, if misogynistic agent. The locations are lushly rendered if a bit pulpy. The old school spy tricks of the time are nice additions that the films could have made more use of. Ultimately, the misogyny of the book, and of the time period, is largely undercut by the novel's tragic ending.
I've read a few of the others before, but in my current read of the series I'm more curious to see where the raw and angry Bond ends up.
Spoiler
Who ended up being the better spy, Bond or Vesper? I'd argue the latter.I've read a few of the others before, but in my current read of the series I'm more curious to see where the raw and angry Bond ends up.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot