Introducing Bond, James Bond

When Ian Fleming wrote a story about a handsome, somewhat eccentric English spy named James Bond, little did he know that this character would take the world by storm. After countless Bond novels and 19 motion pictures (with the 20th in the works), one can look back at this book as the one that started the whole phenomenon. This book could quite possibly be the best in the series, and it gives a look at James Bond in the way Fleming wanted him to be portrayed.

The character of Bond is very different than the way he has been portrayed in the motion pictures. In the books, Bond is a very dark character who gets by on his own wits, which contrasts to his movie alter-egos who quip humorous one-liners and use fancy gadgets. Once you accept this type of Bond, reading this book will be most enjoyable.

All the elements in the Bond series originate in this book. We meet with "M", the head of the British secret service (M.I.6), the only man Bond holds any allegiance to. Felix Leiter, an "American CIA chap" is introduced and quickly becomes one of Bond's closest allies. We meet Vesper Lynd, the original Bond girl. Beautiful and mysterious, she plays an important role in this book.

Of course, what would a Bond be without an excellent villain? Le Chiffre, an agent of SMERSH (the secret Soviet murder organization) has been squandering funds given to them by his employers, and attempts to gain back his funds through playing baccarat at a casino in the French Riveria before SMERSH gets wise to his free spending ways. Bond is assigned to go to the casino in an attempt to ruin Le Chiffre. What follows is an interesting conflict in gambling and torture, with a surprise twist at the ending.

What makes Le Chiffre so compelling is that Fleming paints us the picture of this obnoxious, ugly, but refined villain that one would have no choice but to hate him.

This book is a guaranteed page turner. This is Bond at his best, and all the Bond-ian details are here (from his trademark drinks, to the original Bond car and his original Beretta). A very satisfying read which will most likely convince you to read the next book in the series, "Live and Let Die."