Casino Royale

The best Bond book.

Fleming's character descriptions are so elaborate you will find yourself remembering visual scenes after finishing the book, only to realize it was those scenes were just words you read not pictures you saw. The story is suspenseful and exciting. Fleming helps you to connect with the characters: You'll wish the villain to lose and for Bond to win. You'll feel tense when Bond is in a tight spot and relief when he escapes. The writing is very concise; each paragraph furthers the plot. This is the best book in the Bond series.

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James Bond is as much of a weapon as his Beretta 418, although h

James Bond is as much of a weapon as his Beretta 418, although he’s more of an agent by chance than by choice, a weapon as sleek as his 1933 Bentley convertible. He has his vices: gambling, martinis, cigarettes, and sex. Ian Fleming may not have painted women in the most favorable light, may have used a different writing style for a thriller than I’m accustomed to—the agency brief, plenty of inner dialogue and thoughts, and only a dusting of intense action sequences—but this was an enjoyable read for me from the first page to the last.

Having watched and enjoyed all the Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig James Bond films, along with a few other films from previous James Bond actors, I wanted to look at the man behind the mask, and I must say I’m rather glad I did. This was a quick read, although I wouldn’t necessarily call it light, and while I won’t rush to read the rest of the Ian Fleming novels, I do want to see how both his main character and writing style develop.

Robert Downs
Author of Falling Immortality: Casey Holden, Private Investigator

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Timeless Wisdom

Fleming is a great author and writes a thrilling spy novel, but I read him mostly to absorb his misogynistic views. He poignantly expresses these throughout Casino Royale with statements such as, "Bond saw luck as a woman, to be softly wooed or brutally ravaged, never pandered to or pursued."

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Flemings' First

Great Book, better than the movie. Highly recommended.

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Never read a 007 book until now. I missed out! NUF CED!

Fantastic!! Ian Fleming knows how to introduce a thriller! Vesper Lynd was suuuuuper hot and sexxxxxxxxxxxxy! Le Chiffe was super evil! The book was like a movie in book form. It was wonderful!

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Never seen the movies... But love the book!

I am 11 and I have never seen any James Bond movies, but these books are really good. They are actually not too appropriate for me but the action is great. And if you like this book, you will like the others: Live and Let Die, Moonraker, From Russia with Love, The Man with the Golden Gun... The list goes on and on. Short books but overall, really great reads.

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Bond, James Bond

They say the book is always better than the movie. I usually agree, but in this case I'd say they're equal, but different. No high tech gadgets or fancy special effects here, but you get to see Bond as the author originally created, which makes this well worth the read.

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Different

The movies are totally different than the books. They make Bond out to be some superspy. He doesn't even use gagets in the book which makes him more realistic. There is not as much action in the book as in the movies, but that doesn't make the book boring. If you have watched the movies and want to know how bond really is read this book. The new version of Casino Royale with Daniel Craig is very good also.

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Bond has Arrived

Okay, so this is the first Bond novel I have ever read. However, in the past couple of years I have grown into Bond through all twenty-one of the movies. I can't believe that it took me so long to get one of Fleming's books in my hand but finally, on my 17th birthday, it happened. It only took me three days to read this, the pages practically flew by in my hands. It is an easy read, even though it was written in the fifties and a bit dated. I was disappointed with the ending it could have been more impressive but it left me satisfied. I've already ordered Live and Let Die and I absolutely can't wait for Quantum of Solace to hit the silver screen, but back to the book. My advice to you: READ IT!!!!

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Best Bond book written

Normally when I see a movie, I oftentimes will steer clear of the book, as Hollywood has a way of bastardizing a novelist's work, and I do not want the magic of the movie to be destroyed. However, with Casino Royale, I was pleasantly surprised. Granted, no Elipsis conspiracy, high-priced airline stock market debauchle, or global terrorist network bent on world domination and the end of capitalism. But this Bond is far more realistic and believable than the gadget-toting, fast car-driving, socializing and womanizing Bond that Hollywood has created. This is by far one of the best books I have ever read! It completely held my attention, and was totally riveting. I found myself completely enthralled with the story, so much so that I look forward to purchasing and reading the other titles in the franchise.

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Dated Fun

The first Bond novel gets started quickly, matching Bond against a French communist in a heated battle of...baccarat? Well, at least it wasn't Texas Hold 'Em like the recent film. Bond is not the overly polished Pierce Brosnan type, nor the suave and sophisticated Sean Connery type, and he doesn't have gadgets either. Some of the story elements are a bit dated, but the action moves along quickly. Overall, a fun, inconsequential read.

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Dated but wonderful

The book is wonderfully crafted and fun to read. Some of the situations and references are fairly dated, but that adds to the texture of it. Any true Bond fan ought to check it out. They'll love it.

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Enjoyable read, grittier than the remake

This is perhaps the only book I read when I viewed its cinematic version first. It follows a slightly different path than the movie but nonetheless is absolutely thrilling. 'Royale' really kept my attention. So much so that I nearly missed my stop while on my morning commute occasionally.

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I've never finished a book for pleasure before besides a select few

and so when i went to B&N to get a book for pleasure, i was very picky. I saw the James Bond books and found the first one, (Casino Royale), and went home. When I started reading I literally couldn't stop. I finished the book in one night! (took me about 7 hours) I had already seen the movie, but about twenty pages into it you will realize they are almost completely different. A must read for Bond Fans!

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Bond

They say the book is always better than the movie. I usually agree, but in this case I'd say they're equal, but different. No high tech gadgets or fancy special effects here, but you get to see Bond as the author originally created, which makes this well worth the read.

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Fantastic read! Great for true spy lovers!

Ian Fleming was an outstanding writer. The book shows the gritiness of the secret agent field. Much better than all the movies, which used to lean toward silly at times. Don't get me wrong, I loved the movies or I wouldn't have picked up the book. But the writing is better than anything new I've read and in a style that really lets you understand Bond in a way the movies can't. However, you will realize in the book that this is a terribly complex man. Can't wait to see how he evolves over the series. I'm off to buy #2!

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Witness the real James Bond

This is the real James Bond in action. Although I like the movies, the books are always better. In fact, it's like a new story even though I saw the new movie the day before. The books are rarely anything like the movie, and again, much more enjoyable.

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Bond for beginners...

This was the first Bond book and it is remarkable in many ways that someone who knows 007 from the films alone may not appreciate. Fleming saw Bond as a 'blunt instrument' and it is only in the later books that he acquires a patina of wit and sophistication. He is NEVER humorous in any of the books, so those looking for the snappy one liner or wink-wink double entendre will be disappointed. Remember this book was written well over a half century ago...that will give the reader some appreciation of the avant-garde quality Fleming brought to a dead (at the time) genre.

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007 MANIA!!!!!!

This is a wonderful way to bring bond james bond onto the scene. In this novel he aquires his 00-#.

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Read at your own risk

This book was horrible. Good movies but Ian flemming can not keep any rraders attention. The author assumes you know much about Bond and goes on writing that way. I could understand this with other books maybe, but this is supposed to be the first book in the series. My suggestion is to just wait for the movie.

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