I thought I ought to read one of the
books as I had heard they were quite different from the movies. And indeed they
are, perhaps as a product of their time, or as a result of the personality of
the author, but whatever James Bond is not a very likable character. He has
some serious flaws and his attitude to others is frankly quite disturbing. The
book seems to have an unusual pace to it too with long passages dedicated to
the gambling and to the torture scene with other aspects glossed over.
Nevertheless it was interesting to see just how different it was.
‘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.
Taut,
tense, and effortlessly stylish, Ian Fleming’s inaugural James Bond adventure
has all the hallmarks that made the series a touchstone for a generation of
readers.’
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