CASINO ROYALE - 1953

    The first James Bond novel was Casino Royale.  In it, we meet not only Bond, but M, Felix Leiter, Miss Moneypenny and Rene Mathis.  Anyone familiar with the movies only will be in for quite a surprise. 

    Ian Fleming had never written a book before, as he was a newspaperman.  However, each short chapter is filled with excitement and the rich detail that has been described as the Fleming Sweep.

    In short, 007 is dispatched to beat Russian agent Le Chiffre in a game of baccarat at Royale-Les-Eaux (The casino royale of the title).  It seems that Le Chiffre has embezzled some Soviet funds to open a chain of brothels. This chain has not been successful, so he needs to win the money back in high stakes gambling.

    Those who may think Bond never loses will be in for quite an experience.

    During the course of the novel, several key Bond elements are introduced.  The girl (Vesper Lynd, another British agent), the male friend(s) (Leiter and Mathis), the interview with M. and many other elements. 

    Critics have sais that Bond is humorless in this novel.  Compared to the movie 007, this is true.   However, he does show quite a bit of emotion when he falls in love, quite   hard, for Vesper.  She seems to have all the qualities Bond is looking for in a woman, but this falls flat when he learns she was a double agent, shortly after her suicide.

    Also, Bond is savagely beaten by Le Chiffre.  I won't describe the torture here, but it is quite barbaric.

    All in all, a great read and the starting point for the novels.

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