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A review by book_concierge
Casino Royale by Ian Fleming
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.