Casino Royale {Fleming, 1953}
{ * } While house-sitting a few weekends ago, I decided to revisit Ian Fleming's world of James Bond. My parents' puppy, Ruby, was all ears!
{ * } Pictured here are the new line of paperbacks from Thomas & Mercer. I'm a huge fan of minimalist art so they caught my eye a few years back.
"James Bond suddenly knew that he was tired. He always knew when his body or his mind had enough and he always acted on the knowledge. This helped him to avoid staleness and the usual bluntness that breeds mistakes."
So begins the first mission of the now-immortalized hero, whose seductive charm and violent coldness have intrigued 3 generations. With 23 blockbusters since Sean Connery starred in the first movie: Dr. No (1962) it may come as a shock that James Bond was first a hero of literature.
While serving in the British naval intelligence division during WWII, Ian Fleming declared, "I am going to write the spy story to end all spy stories." Casino Royale was that story.
Fleming's writing is nearly constant acceleration. He pushes Bond deeper and faster into the underworlds of criminals, psychopaths, terrorists, and femme fatales. It's a swift edge-of-the-page story but with substance. Fleming's Bond is much deeper than the films' one-liners, sexual innuendos, and car chases make him out to be.
Think more Daniel Craig's portrayal of cerebral observation, emotional vulnerability, and physical prowess.
{ * } If you're curious, my favorite movie is actually Casino Royale w/ Craig. Dr. No is a close second.
{ * } Live and Let Die, Fleming's sophomore novel is brilliant as well. His third, Moonraker is miles above the movie.
So begins the first mission of the now-immortalized hero, whose seductive charm and violent coldness have intrigued 3 generations. With 23 blockbusters since Sean Connery starred in the first movie: Dr. No (1962) it may come as a shock that James Bond was first a hero of literature.
While serving in the British naval intelligence division during WWII, Ian Fleming declared, "I am going to write the spy story to end all spy stories." Casino Royale was that story.
Fleming's writing is nearly constant acceleration. He pushes Bond deeper and faster into the underworlds of criminals, psychopaths, terrorists, and femme fatales. It's a swift edge-of-the-page story but with substance. Fleming's Bond is much deeper than the films' one-liners, sexual innuendos, and car chases make him out to be.
Think more Daniel Craig's portrayal of cerebral observation, emotional vulnerability, and physical prowess.
{ * } If you're curious, my favorite movie is actually Casino Royale w/ Craig. Dr. No is a close second.
{ * } Live and Let Die, Fleming's sophomore novel is brilliant as well. His third, Moonraker is miles above the movie.
Goldeneye: Where Bond was Born: Ian Flemming's Jamaica {Parker, 2015}My friends over at Pegasus Books sent me a review copy of Goldeneye: Where Bond was Born: Ian Fleming's Jamaica a few months back. As a fan I was extremely excited by the prospect of learning more about the man behind The Man with the Golden Gun. In particular, I was looking for both a psychological portrait of Fleming and insight into his writing routines and goals. This book did not disappoint. Just like his characters, Fleming it seems had a real cerebral approach to his life and career, and a helluva lot of style - a sense of romantic adventure-seeking and exploration. |  |
Overall, it was a really interesting read. In addition there are over 30 images (both B&W and color) of Fleming, his family, the rich Jamaican landscape inspiring some of his scenes and of course a couple of Sean Connery.
Happy Reading!
{Let me know where you land with these}
Happy Reading!
{Let me know where you land with these}
