Found this World Book Night 2013 copy in Oxfam Keswick. It was originally given by Linda Fleming who collected it from Cockermouth Library. Wonder if they are related to the author?? :)


ETA Adding to the Shrinking VBB - Round 9

Even though i have watched both film versions of this book i was still able to enjoy this book. It was nice to hear Bond's thoughts about his actions and i was able to understand him more than ever before. I did read one of his books when i was a teenager but it hadnt stuck with me that there was more to this man than good looks, women, martini and action!

Posting to Greenbadger
Enjoy!!

Thanks Diane! I always find the WBN books are worth a read.

See you in Loughborough if not before! :)

The first of Fleming's Bond novels. Well, the Bond films are fun and not to be taken too seriously, and this is the same. Bond is sent to play cards at the Casino Royale to bankrupt the agent Le Chiffre, who will then be killed by his own side for investing their money in brothels. 007 is furious to be sent a female assistant, who he thinks will be incompetent - like the earlier films, this is very sexist, but it was published in 1953 so of its time. The gambling scene is really tense and Bond is not as infallible as in the films. In summary I quite enjoyed it but don't think I'd bother to look out for more.

Sent to bookfrogster as a wishlist RABCK. Enjoy!

Thanks for sending me this one Greenbadger. I'm not really a fan of the few Bond films I've seen but am curious to read the books and see what I think of them. I will report back soon!

This was quite an interesting read, particularly getting an insight into Bond's thinking. I haven't seen either film version of this so was coming to it fresh. As expected, Bond's views are old-fashioned to say the least. It was much more violent that I thought it would be too. I am going to read more of the series though. Thanks very much for sending me this one Greenbadger.

I've always enjoyed the Bond films despite the attitudes. Will be interesting to read one of the novels.... and this is on the 1001 list too!

Casino Royale by Ian Fleming - Very Good

The first of 007's adventures and our introduction to James Bond and his world. This is a good story, well told. The original page turner. BUT.....

I read a lot of 'vintage' crime, in particular Agatha Christie. As such, I'm used to the sexism and racism of previous eras. In fact reading AC books, you can see how opinions and attitudes change decade by decade. So, why this preamble? Well, this is my first foray into 'vintage' thrillers and I'm not sure if it's because this is written by a man or because it's a thriller, but I have to admit to being a little shocked and quite angry about James Bond/Ian Flemming's attitude to women. I've seen most of the films and I'm well aware that Bond treats women as disposable, there for his amusement and discarded once he's bedded them. In this book, that's not his MO. He defers his gratification until 'the job is done', but... there was one particular paragraph that got my blood boiling:

"...he felt that however long they were together there would always be a private room inside her which he could never invade.........And now he knew that she was profoundly, excitingly sensual, but that the conquest of her body, because of the central privacy in her, would each time have the sweet tang of rape."

This was written in the 1950s. No wonder women are still fighting!

Bringing to the Old Gang meetup for Poodlesister's visit.

Although this book is registered at www.bookcrossing.com, you don't have to be a member. It's perfectly OK to just take the book and enjoy it. Of course, if you can visit the website and let us know that you've picked it up, that would be even better - you don't even have to join, you can add your comments anonymously - you can also post your review when you've read it, then return it or pass it on to someone else.

If you do join Bookcrossing, you'll be able to see what happens to it afterwards - for ever!

Picked up at the Old Gang Meet Up.

Going to CFreckle with some birthday goodies. A wishlist book.

Thank you very much for this wishlist book and for all the other lovely things you sent to me for my birthday as part of Oppem's Birthday Group. I appreciate it and look forward to reading it. xx