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book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Book on CD read by Simon Vance.
“The name is Bond, James Bond.” And this is the book that started it all.
Bond is in France, on a mission to foil the Russian operative known as “le Chiffre” at the Baccarat table. The hope is that Bond will bankrupt the Russian, forcing his Soviet leaders to “retire” him. He’s not entirely happy when he’s sent a woman as back-up, but apparently, she makes a good cover. What could be more natural than for a wealthy Jamaican playboy to pick up a pretty girl at a casino?
It’s still a fast-paced, spy thriller, that entertains. I first read this back when I was a teenager, vacationing with my best friend and her parents in Puerto Rico. I think we read six or seven of the books out on the beach or by the pool. We were taken by Bond’s good looks and sophistication. Not to mention the danger, and the sex. Now I’m a bit appalled by his attitude towards women. But he’s a product of his time, and of the genre.
Simon Vance is one of those audio performers who can do no wrong in my book. He’s marvelous narrating this audio book.
“The name is Bond, James Bond.” And this is the book that started it all.
Bond is in France, on a mission to foil the Russian operative known as “le Chiffre” at the Baccarat table. The hope is that Bond will bankrupt the Russian, forcing his Soviet leaders to “retire” him. He’s not entirely happy when he’s sent a woman as back-up, but apparently, she makes a good cover. What could be more natural than for a wealthy Jamaican playboy to pick up a pretty girl at a casino?
It’s still a fast-paced, spy thriller, that entertains. I first read this back when I was a teenager, vacationing with my best friend and her parents in Puerto Rico. I think we read six or seven of the books out on the beach or by the pool. We were taken by Bond’s good looks and sophistication. Not to mention the danger, and the sex. Now I’m a bit appalled by his attitude towards women. But he’s a product of his time, and of the genre.
Simon Vance is one of those audio performers who can do no wrong in my book. He’s marvelous narrating this audio book.
del_rea's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
darwinista's review against another edition
3.0
All the misogyny, racism, and odd national stereotyping you'd expect, but one huge difference: the Bond in this first book is more fallible, more vulnerable, and altogether more human character than the Bond of the movies (and perhaps of the later books, too). He is as likely to escape death or dismemberment through outside help as through his own skill. He persists in not recognizing danger. He seems very young and naive. Because I've seen many of the Bond movies over the years, this vulnerability was surprising and interesting. Note: the film version has substantial plot differences.
Spoiler
When the villains nab him, his escape attempt fails and he gives up and waits for death.blondierocket's review against another edition
I have been wanting to read Ian Fleming for quite some time and came across this in audiobook one day, having no idea it was truly the first in his series.
Having seen the movie I was familiar with the storyline but enjoyed it just as much if not more than the movie.
Not my typical genre of book, I found it very interesting to listen to the story versus actually read it. The action and characters were very descriptive and I felt a if I was right there with everything that was happening.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially as a first for someone who hasn’t read any Bond before.
Having seen the movie I was familiar with the storyline but enjoyed it just as much if not more than the movie.
Not my typical genre of book, I found it very interesting to listen to the story versus actually read it. The action and characters were very descriptive and I felt a if I was right there with everything that was happening.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially as a first for someone who hasn’t read any Bond before.
willbefunorelse's review against another edition
4.0
For the full review (and to learn about my since-childhood James Bond obsession), visit the entry at That's What She Read.
boyleloren's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
inkyblott's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
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
4.25
alice94's review against another edition
3.0
This story I ended up DNFing in the end, mainly because of how the story was written and the fact that I have matched the movies therefore my expectations of the books had a certain standard, however I have not found this in the book. I would say that it was a fault of mine, because throughout I was picturing the movie and comparing the two, therefore I would not recommend this books to other who do this however if you have not seen the movies or do not have this issue I can see how enjoyable this book can be.
alisonhori's review against another edition
3.0
My first James Bond read and I rather enjoyed it. The sexism and misogyny in this book is kind 0f fascinating in its own way...I am very curious to read a much later one to see how it evolves as the world did. It wasn't exactly what I expected...Bond is way more of a fool than I expected personally and professionally...I am curious to see if that continues as well. I have only seen a few of the movies and I am not a huge fan but this was fun and I am curious to read a few more soon, I think.
lukefoord's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0