Casino Royale

Best cover ever!

The latest James Bond movie came out, Spectre, and I admit I didn't think anything of it. I actually forgot it was released, because I just haven't been paying attention. But a friend suggested a group of us go see it this last weekend. I'm so glad they did too, because I absolutely loved it. In fact, I was the only one who went who was so completely enthusiastic about the experience. I left the theatre absolutely satisfied. It was the most-Bond-like Bond movie I've seen yet. It isn't my favorite, but I still enjoyed that movie immensely and kept thinking during the movie, "yes, this is it." Everything you could want in an action spy movie is in Spectre... and yes, as my husband would remind me, that includes a ridiculous story, unbelievable action, and plot holes the size of a small crater... but it's Bond, what do you expect?

I'm already enamored with spy stories as it is, particularly in the action variety like James Bond. I don't care much for the overly dramatic, dialogue based, espionage stuff. It can be technically very good, but it's not my cup of tea. I expect something to blow up.

And actually, I'm such a fan of James Bond and Archer, and the like, that I've tried a couple times to start writing my own spy novel. I'm not nearly as knowledgeable as Ian Fleming, who if I remember correctly actually was a spy. I'm more of the Spy movie-watcher variety (which I also saw recently and adored. Melissa McCarthy was fantastic, and way cooler than I would be if I was in her shoes).

Seriously. What isn't to love? Just look at 'em! McCarthy and Statham. Perfect!

Oddly though, I've never actually read many spy novels. I'm much more familiar with the genre in film or television instead. So after falling in love with Spectre I decided to throw a couple bucks at the first James Bond novel, Casino Royale (and then I went and got a library card again, realizing I have a serious problem buying too many books, and if I love this series, that's going to add up to some serious cash, whereas a library will let me read them for free. Yay!).

It should be known that Casino Royale is my favorite Bond movie. (And let's be honest, that can only mean the 2006 Daniel Craig version, really.) So the bar was set pretty high, and I tried to keep my expectations fairly low for this book. I mean, it's decades old, extremely dated, and that probably includes some serious misogyny, right?

Oh, geez. I was so right. I mean at one point he's talking about Vesper Lynd's cold personality (and for the record, in the book she has about a teaspoon's worth), and how she's hiding something. But still, Bond is certain he will seduce her, which will add the "tang of sweet rape."

WHAT?!

Those eyes say "oh, hell no."

NO, Bond. Just NO. I will send M over to smack the sense into you, you stupid perv.

"If you ever say something so disgusting again, I will have you killed."

So yes, seriously misogynistic. Women's rights were little-to-none when this was written, so it makes sense that it's reflected in this book. Although I don't think that's sufficient reasoning, since there are books from the 18th century that have stronger female characters than this... but I guess it was written from a man's point of view, not the standard chick lit perspective I'm used to... I mean, if you like 50 Shades of Grey, you may be into that kind of thing anyway... but even then, I think you'd get annoyed reading about how Bond is certain that women have no business in...well, business, and belong in the kitchen... yup.

Otherwise, as a spy book, it's pretty damn good. The movie apparently followed the story pretty closely, so there aren't many surprises if you've already seen the movie. It still was written in such a cool way that I found it suspenseful even knowing vaguely what was about to happen. Obviously there are some changes, it wouldn't make sense for the movie to feature Le Chiffre as a part of the Soviet Union, since it doesn't exist anymore. So honestly, all the work they did in the movie to give Le Chiffre motive to gamble such large sums is actually more straightforward in the book. And who knew that reading about a poker game could be so exciting? I really started to get into it, and whatever the hell Baccarat is, it's way cooler than it's comparable Twenty-One.

Also, the book is crazy graphic. I don't really know what I was expecting, I guess. But damn. I can only guess Ian Fleming saw some serious shit, the way he writes about some action scenes. Whew. It was hardcore. This is no casual romp into the espionage of the 50s/60s. I didn't grow up watching Sean Connery as James Bond, but honestly I couldn't see him as Bond in this story anyway.

Do what to my balls???

After re-watching the movie, Daniel Craig does an amazing job portraying the intensity of Bond (and the cinematography is shear brilliance. I wish they were all shot in the gritty way Casino Royale was). And Eva Green's Vesper Lynd has been an inspiration since the movie released. Good gravy is she badass. She's gorgeous, AND gives Bond a run for his money (haha, literally too). She can hold her own against Bond, and I just think that's fantastic. Way cooler in the movie than the book, this time. And probably my favorite Bond girl.

So overall, I'd say four out of five stars. If Vesper Lynd was even half as strong as her character is in the movie, I would give it that fifth star... dammit. I guess the next one is Live and Let Die. And I do intend to watch the movie after reading it, so we'll see how that goes...

Until next time!