A dedicated thread to post your long-form reviews of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels. I myself will be reposting reviews from KTBEU before continuing on with my review series, whose next entry was going to be Goldfinger before the events of 3/14. I'll start us off with my very old review of Casino Royale, first and still among the best.
The Game is Baccarat
A Review of Ian Fleming's "Casino Royale" by Fairbairn-Sykes
Casino Royale is Ian Fleming's first novel about secret agent James Bond, number OO7. Released in 1953, it certainly is a product of its time: Bond fights the good fight against the Russians, drinks and smokes and womanizes incessantly, and remarks that taking "marihuana" will turn you into a mindless killer. Nonetheless, through Fleming's power of description and characterization, and his masterful use of suspense and tension building, we can witness the classic start to a brilliant series.
Bond is introduced to us in the first chapter, and in what would become Fleming's style, this first chapter is set in the middle of the mission, flashing back to the beginning for chapter two. Bond is definitely a man who lives life as if he may be dead tomorrow – in this first novel, all of his characteristics are neatly laid out, examined and explained to us. It is a fine introduction to the man.
M makes his first appearance here, too – complete with "damnably clear eyes", but there is no Moneypenny, no Q, none of the over the top silliness so associated with the cinematic Bond. Instead, we get a hardboiled, down to earth tale that leaves the reader clamouring for more each time. We do, however, get a first of many appearances by Bond's CIA contact Felix Leiter, and of course, a sadistic villain and a beautiful girl. We shall review the book on Bond's own scale of what makes a great adventure — "physical exertion, mystery, and a ruthless enemy" (Dr. No, Chapter 7)
PHSYICAL EXERTION (ACTION/VIOLENCE): Casino Royale could be the most low key of all Fleming's Bond thrillers – and compared to the films it's almost tame – but this is made up for in thrilling suspense that comes in handy during a superb gambling scene that will make you sweat just as hard as Bond. For the record, there is one explosion, and no gunfights. Though Bond recounts the tale of how he had to kill two traitors to earn his OO, he never actually kills anyone in the novel – the bad guys dispose of themselves through incompetence (blowing themselves up), and treachery (assassinated by their superiors). However, all this is made up for in a gripping car chase sequence and, of course, the infamous torture scene, which actually works better in the novel than the new 2006 film. Fleming at his best here. It's a hard choice between out and out action and amazing suspense – but for beating Bond's balls, we'll give Casino Royale's physical exertion a 6 out of 10.
MYSTERY (PLOT): Apparently inspired by events of Fleming's own life, Casino Royale's plotline sounds plausible simply because Fleming's amazing talent at verisimilitude makes it sound plausible. Le Chiffre (whose name is French for "The Cipher") works for the French division of the Russian intelligence community – and loses all his employer's money when he invests it in brothels which are soon outlawed. In order to win back the money and therefore save himself from SMERSH, a ruthless Russian assassination agency, he plays baccarat at the Casino Royale in the small French town of Royale-les-Eaux. Bond, being the best card player in the Service, is assigned to beat him at cards and let SMERSH dispose of him. Along the way he is assisted by Deuxieme Bureau contact Rene Mathis, CIA contact Felix Leiter, and MI6 operative Vesper Lynd. The book manages to pad out it's rather pedestrian plotline with fine description and powerful suspense. However, what seems to be the climax of the book – the card game – happens round the middle, and a shocked reader finds the novel continues – through a car chase, a completely unexpected and superb torture sequence in which Bond has only the Russians to thank for escaping, through to what seems a quiet denouement but quickly becomes an unsettling and masterful ending. Casino Royale's mystery may be basic, but for keeping us interested and excited long after any other author would've ended the story, we'll give it a 7 out of 10.
A RUTHLESS ENEMY (DRAMA): If Casino Royale is a bit weak in our first two categories, drama is the place where it truly shines. Fleming shows himself a master of characterizations: from the man's man who is Bond, to the overeager S, to the cold and calculating M, the most enthusiastic ally Rene Mathis, the memorable Felix Leiter, the sadistic Le Chiffre, and of course the beautiful and conflicted Miss Vesper Lynd. Bond himself is examined in detail which brings us under the surface of his cold exterior and then right back out again. You find yourself caring about his fate, and unlike the films, you sometimes wonder how he'll make it out alive. Another surprisingly strong sequence is a scene where Bond and Mathis discuss the ethics of their chosen occupations and Bond considers leaving the service. And then, of course, there's that ending – probably always one of Fleming's strengths, and this is one of his best. If you don't feel like you've been shot in the stomach, then either you have no soul – or obviously have read the book before. Casino Royale's ruthless enemy gets a 9 out of 10.
All in all, Bond's introduction is a strong one, and leaves you wanting more. You'll want to see how he carries out his vendetta against SMERSH. You'll want to see more of Felix Leiter, and M – you'll want to read Live and Let Die. If there's one thing Casino Royale lacks, its some of the exciting action and over the top escapism that comes into play later in the Bond saga.
Another minor note that might play against the book for you, if you're a PC advocate — Fleming writes from the perspective of the old guard British patriots in a post WWII world – he makes no apologies for Bond's sexism, and if you want a politically correct hero, then this is not the place.
Otherwise, Casino Royale deals a perfect hand.
Casino Royale (1953) 7 out of 10.
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