Casino Royale, Ian Fleming, 1953, 218 pp
Continuing my recent obsession with spy lit from the 50s and 60s due to writing myself about growing up under the Cold War and the Mushroom Cloud. Casino Royale was the first book in the James Bond series, though the movies were not made until 1967 and 2006.
As I read the book, I kept getting mental pictures of the casino scene. I don't think I saw the 1967 movie (supposedly a kind of spoof) but my picture memories come from the 2006 version starring Daniel Craig.
In any case, the book is the story of Bond's first mission as a double O. His assignment is to bankrupt a ruthless Russian agent who's been on a bad luck streak at the baccarat table. It is way less sexy than the movie; of course there is a woman but not much happens of a sexual nature.
The casino scene is so tense, I think my blood pressure rose though it is usually low. Then came the double crosses.
I love these short bursts of fictional adrenaline, easily read in one day.
For decades I thought if reading some of Ian Fleming’s books but never did. This would be the one that I started with.
ReplyDeleteThe 1967 film was a parody. Kind of an intellectual attempt at it that I remember being mediocre.
What was it with those goofy 60s movies? I think you might find a sort of symmetry between your post colonial studies and cold war spy novels. Perhaps that was the last gasp era of the colonial powers.
DeleteDaniel Craig's version of James Bond seems to be the most true in terms of characterization than the ones played by the other actors out there. What do you think, Judy?
ReplyDeleteYou know, that is a good point! I will be rewatching the movies as I read the series. Can I get back to you on that?
DeleteI read a few of these when I was younger. My grandfather loved spy novels and westerns. Never cared for the western novels but I sure loved these!
ReplyDeleteMe too! My husband likes westerns as both books and movies.
DeleteI read this 30 odd years ago. I certainly remember is being pretty good. I did like the fact that Bond was just a guy with a gun. It's why I liked early Bond (Connery) and the new Daniel Craig version.
ReplyDeleteI had only seen the movies so now I am reading the books.
DeleteI don't think I've ever read any of these books - or if I did, they didn't leave a lasting impression. I have seen many of the movies and I remember seeing the old Casino Royale movie with David Niven (I think) on television and I especially remember the theme played by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass (I was a big fan in those days.) As I recall, the movie was rather silly, but I gather the book was not meant to be.
ReplyDeleteI am finding out that these books are quite different from the movies. Not silly at all.
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