Ian Fleming’s first book was inspired by an experience he had in Estoril during the Second World War that he later heavily embellished. What we sayĬasino Royale introduces many of the elements we have come to expect from James Bond brand names, high living, cars, sex, food, drink, violence and exotic locations. However, old copies of the paperbacks are good value and the covers are better that the rather sterile covers of some more recent editions. It has little, if anything, to do with the plot of the novel.įirst editions of all the books are highly sought after by collectors and as a result prices are high.
The title was later produced as a comedy starring David Niven after the official series of films, produced by Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, had raised public interest in Bond.
In 1954 came Bond’s screen debut in the CBS television film of Casino Royale, with Bond played as an American agent. It has a freshness and readability that make it hard to put down, vivid descriptions of the card game and should grace the bookshelf of any serious fan of James Bond.įleming saw the big screen possibilities for 007 from the beginning and an option on the film and television rights were sold separately. Overall, Casino Royale remains one of the best of the series. However, Fleming seems to get out of his depth as a writer when Bond is talking to the head of French intelligence about the philosophy of good and evil, which comes across as childishly naïve and seems completely out of place in the novel. The book is peppered with information about Bond’s habits and vices, such as his preference for his drink to be “shaken, not stirred” (not the simple Vodka Martini of the films, but a concoction of his own design) and custom made cigarettes with three gold bands on the filter. Although the plot is on the whole straightforward, almost mundane, it has enough of a spark of originality and daring to pull the reader into the story and finishes with a bitter twist in its tail. It is one of the more polished of the books and the scenes in the casino are vividly painted.
The operation was designed to discredit Le Chiffre, believing he would be killed as a traitor by the Russians and wipe their carefully built up French network.
0 kommentar(er)
