Amazon.com review: This is not only Ian Fleming's first James Bond novel but one of his best. It is richly textured, well written, clearly defines the Bond character and has survived not only as good literature but as a great period piece of the 50s. It also gives us a glimpse of the often unseen smoke filled cocktailed night life found in Europe's plush casinos of that era. Clearly, James Bond is a worldly character that lives and breaths in this unseen world described by Ian Fleming in this novel. James Bond can easily adapt to any locale or situation, size it up and endure. He is both innovative and resourceful and he must rely on his talents and instincts to survive. This is a very good Bond novel.

This is also No. 518 on the 1001 books you must read before you die list.

This is the first in the James Bond series by Fleming and I thought it was quite entertaining. I read several Bond books back in the 60s and 70s and remember enjoying them all but I don't think I ever read Casino Royale. In this book, Fleming defines his Bond character along with the Soviet SMERSH organization, the British secret service (including M and Q) and the rules of baccarat. The plot of the story is pretty straight forward: Bond is sent to play baccarat with a soviet agent, Le Chiffre, who is in financial trouble. If Bond can outlast Le Chiffre and take his money, Le Chiffre will be in trouble with the Soviets and SMERSH. Along the way Bond is captured and brutally tortured in a way that could affect his manhood and of course he falls in love. I would recommend this one.

Bookray

Starting a bookray for this book. Please PM me if interested in joining. Bookray will remain open until last person has the book.

Participants so far:

. raeliz64 from UK (International)
. glitterbee from Germany (International)
. rockyhorror1978 from Canada (North America preferred - International if needed)<----Book is here
. sailorarby from Delaware, USA (International)<----Skip - inactive
. madpocky from Philippines (International)

Note: Order is subject to change based on shipping preferences and others joining the bookray.

How the bookray works:
* Someone will PM you for your address, PM them back and provide your address
* When you receive the book, please make a journal entry letting everyone know that you received it
* Put the book at the top of your TBR pile (under other rings/rays that arrived first)
* Read the book (take your time and enjoy the book, don't feel rushed to finish it but try to get it out to next reader within a couple of months)
* When the end is in sight, check the book's journal and PM the next person to get their address
* Finish the book, make another journal entry and let everyone know what you thought of the book
* Send the book to the next person on the list (please use the cheapest shipping method available), make release notes (Controlled Release) or journal entry to let everyone know that it's in the mail
* Last person on the ray: Wild release, donate the book to the 1001-library or pass it on to another bookcrosser as a RABCK, etc.

Please feel free to PM me at any time with questions


This is stalled with rockyhorror1978 who does not respond to PMs.

On its way to the UK to start this bookray. Enjoy!

Received today - thanks very much. In the best tradition of ring/ray books they never travel alone, this is the third to turn up this week, but I'll get to it as soon as I can.

This book was written in the 1950's and is very much of it's time. I quite enjoyed it, but I don't think I would bother with any more in the series, I'd rather watch the films.
I'm glad I read it though, thank you perryfran for giving me the opportunity.

On it's way to glitterbee.

The book arrived at my doorstep today. I'm looking forward to reading it.

I have never read a Bond novel even though I have seen many of the Bond movies. I enjoyed reading the book very much. Quite interesting how certain things change over time, I'm doubting Bond would still smoke 70 cigarettes a day, were the books written today.
I wouldn't go out of my way to read another James Bond novel but if I had the opportunity I'm sure I'd enjoy reading more of Fleming's books.

Thankfully I was able to read and send the book on before I'm going away tomorrow for a month.
Mr. Bond is now travelling to rockyhorror1978.

Arrived today! I have one book ahead of it (a thin book) and then I will be reading this one. This is my first James Bond book! :)

I agree that this book is very reflective of it's time and entertaining. I had a good chuckle at the references to women and their role in society. Having grown up watching the Bond films, it was nice to finally read one of the books. It was hard to reconcile this James Bond with the one of films. While the book was good, I think I also prefer the movies and probably wouldn't actively seek out another book in the series.

Thanks for sharing this book. I have contacted sailoraby and will post to them.