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madisus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The book is definitely a product of its time, with plenty of misogyny peppered in. It’s a dark novel, with an interior and introspective Bond experiencing graphically horrific torture.
I found myself appreciating how much the recently resolved Second World War permeates the attitude of Bond and everyone around him, which is harder to extrapolate from the modernized Craig movies. To Bond, his “license to kill” is nothing more than what was expected of him and his contemporaries when they were soldiers. It’s part of the job— yet he still struggles with the concept of heroes and villains and the spy’s role as a servant of the state. It was more than I expected from this first novel.
I found myself appreciating how much the recently resolved Second World War permeates the attitude of Bond and everyone around him, which is harder to extrapolate from the modernized Craig movies. To Bond, his “license to kill” is nothing more than what was expected of him and his contemporaries when they were soldiers. It’s part of the job— yet he still struggles with the concept of heroes and villains and the spy’s role as a servant of the state. It was more than I expected from this first novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Torture, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: Sexual assault
ellachandler's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Violence
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Sexual content
bronzeageholly's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Racism, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, and Torture
sweekune's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Audiobook narrated by Dan Stevens.
The Bond movies are world renowned and enjoyed by millions. About 10 years ago I read some of the original books and really enjoyed them. Recently I've had an urge to read them again and luckily they have been mega cheap on Audible over the last year or so so I picked them up bit by bit and have the full collection.
- The books focus differently to the movies. Yes, you still get the fast cars, the espionage and the glamorous women but there's more focus on Bond himself, his instincts and how he does what he's doing. Certainly in Casino Royale there's a lot of technical information relayed, such as how to play Baccarat. Tech fans may also be disappointed at the lack of quirky gadgets, instead replaced with Bond's ingenuity with the tools available.
-The tone is far more serious that a lot of the films. The plot and the mystery are the focus, not humour.
- The section with the casino was very well described and portrayed. I particularly enjoyed how the book describes Bond's thought process while gambling.
-Vesper Lynd always was and remains by favourite woman in the Bond series. She is believable and her backstory makes sense and gives her behaviour real motivations.
- As you would expect with a book originally published in 1953, there are many sexist, misogynistic and outdated things said and done within this book.
I enjoyed the story of this book and the idea of James Bond. There are issues with this book, some of which are related to the time it was written, but overall it was an interesting and exciting read.
The Bond movies are world renowned and enjoyed by millions. About 10 years ago I read some of the original books and really enjoyed them. Recently I've had an urge to read them again and luckily they have been mega cheap on Audible over the last year or so so I picked them up bit by bit and have the full collection.
- The books focus differently to the movies. Yes, you still get the fast cars, the espionage and the glamorous women but there's more focus on Bond himself, his instincts and how he does what he's doing. Certainly in Casino Royale there's a lot of technical information relayed, such as how to play Baccarat. Tech fans may also be disappointed at the lack of quirky gadgets, instead replaced with Bond's ingenuity with the tools available.
-The tone is far more serious that a lot of the films. The plot and the mystery are the focus, not humour.
- The section with the casino was very well described and portrayed. I particularly enjoyed how the book describes Bond's thought process while gambling.
-Vesper Lynd always was and remains by favourite woman in the Bond series. She is believable and her backstory makes sense and gives her behaviour real motivations.
- As you would expect with a book originally published in 1953, there are many sexist, misogynistic and outdated things said and done within this book.
I enjoyed the story of this book and the idea of James Bond. There are issues with this book, some of which are related to the time it was written, but overall it was an interesting and exciting read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Gun violence, Medical content, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Torture, and Violence
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