Book Review: Casino Royale, by Ian Fleming

Britain's biggest dick is almost unmanned.



First published 1953, 192 pages.

Introducing James Bond: charming, sophisticated, handsome, chillingly ruthless, and licensed to kill. This, the first of Ian Fleming's tales of secret agent 007, finds Bond on a mission to neutralize a lethal, high-rolling Russian operative called "Le Chiffre" by ruining him at the Baccarat table, forcing his Soviet spymasters to "retire" him.

It seems that lady luck has sided with 007 when Le Chiffre hits a losing streak. But some people just refuse to play by the rules, and Bond's attraction to a beautiful female agent leads him to disaster...and to an unexpected savior.

( 'The bitch is dead.' Oh, Bond, you charmer you. )

Verdict: If you've seen the movie, none of the plot twists in the book will surprise you, but reading Casino Royale is still a different experience than watching it on film. James Bond is what he is - a big, swinging dick - but Fleming's got a knack for stylish storytelling, so if writing that is about as politically incorrect as you can get without being John Norman doesn't turn you off, I'll cheerfully recommend the Bond novels as spy thrillers that don't bear too much thinking about.

Also by Ian Fleming: My reviews of Quantum of Solace: The Complete James Bond Short Stories and From Russia with Love.

Casino Royale is on the list of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (most likely for its cultural significance rather than its literary value). If you found my review too positive, dorian_mauve gave it a delightfully snarky, scathing review for books1001.

Book Review: Casino Royale, by Ian Fleming

Britain's biggest dick is almost unmanned.



First published 1953, 192 pages.

Introducing James Bond: charming, sophisticated, handsome, chillingly ruthless, and licensed to kill. This, the first of Ian Fleming's tales of secret agent 007, finds Bond on a mission to neutralize a lethal, high-rolling Russian operative called "Le Chiffre" by ruining him at the Baccarat table, forcing his Soviet spymasters to "retire" him.

It seems that lady luck has sided with 007 when Le Chiffre hits a losing streak. But some people just refuse to play by the rules, and Bond's attraction to a beautiful female agent leads him to disaster...and to an unexpected savior.

( 'The bitch is dead.' Oh, Bond, you charmer you. )

Verdict: If you've seen the movie, none of the plot twists in the book will surprise you, but reading Casino Royale is still a different experience than watching it on film. James Bond is what he is - a big, swinging dick - but Fleming's got a knack for stylish storytelling, so if writing that is about as politically incorrect as you can get without being John Norman doesn't turn you off, I'll cheerfully recommend the Bond novels as spy thrillers that don't bear too much thinking about.

Also by Ian Fleming: My reviews of Quantum of Solace: The Complete James Bond Short Stories and From Russia with Love.

Casino Royale is on the list of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (most likely for its cultural significance rather than its literary value). If you found my review too positive, dorian_mauve gave it a delightfully snarky, scathing review for books1001.