Title: Casino Royale

Author: Ian Fleming

Publisher: Jonathan Cape 1953

Genre: Thriller

Pages: 213

Rating: 3/5 stars    Movie: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 1001 Books; New Author; 52 Books - W32;  Books to Movies

In the novel that introduced James Bond to the world, Ian Fleming’s agent 007 is dispatched to a French casino in Royale-les-Eaux. His mission? Bankrupt a ruthless Russian agent who’s been on a bad luck streak at the baccarat table.

One of SMERSH’s most deadly operatives, the man known only as “Le Chiffre,” has been a prime target of the British Secret Service for years. If Bond can wipe out his bankroll, Le Chiffre will likely be “retired” by his paymasters in Moscow. But what if the cards won’t cooperate? After a brutal night at the gaming tables, Bond soon finds himself dodging would-be assassins, fighting off brutal torturers, and going all-in to save the life of his beautiful female counterpart, Vesper Lynd.

J warned me that the since this was the first book in the series, it started off a bit slow.  That was an understatement.  I almost put the book down because of the first three chapters.  They were clunky and downright boring.  I understand that the author has to set up the world, but this was not done well at all.  But I stuck with it.  The book did get better.  The baccarat scene was amazing.  The torture seen was almost unreadable, but in a good way.  Those two chapters were definitely the high points.  The ending was a bit of a let down, but I see how it sets up Bond for the rest of the series.  I ended up knocking off a star for the clunky writing and pace.  I knocked off another star for my own personal tastes.  The multiple comments about how women need to be scene and not heard, kept in the kitchen, etc, really got to me.  I know this was written in 1953, but I'd still not prefer to read it.  Overall an interesting read, but definitely not going to be a favorite and I probably won't continue the series.

Movie:

I really really enjoyed this movie.  Of course, the movie makers made changes from the book.  They added the entire first sequence and multiple more action beats while keeping the main storyline and the tone of the book.  Plus, I adore Daniel Craig as Bond.  He has the grit and the hard nature.  Overall, an awesome adaptation.  I dare say better than the book.