I think the movie from 2006 does a great job modernising a book from 1953

"I think his appreciation for women will develop more in the books" I've got a bridge to sell you.

I'm 25 and hadn't read a book in over 10 years but as a fan of Bond I figured I'd give it a go. Really enjoyed it! Just about to begin Live and Let Die

I find it fantastic that you are reviewing the Bond novels, they are such splendid reads and act as a great way to kill time between films. Fleming was a spectacular writer and does a great job of putting us in the environment of the story. Out of all the actors I feel Dalton acted the most like the book Bond. If you’re going to keep on reviewing Bond books, once you finish with Fleming I recommend Colonel Sun and Solo to review. Fantastic review, keep it up!

I actually got distracted by listening to the music. I love Arnold’s score for this movie. I think it’s use of “you know my name” throughout is spectacular

Don't feel too bad Calvin. I'm a HUGE Bondian myself and I haven't read the books either...

I was surprised by how different he was. I always hear how Timothy Dalton is the most accurate to book bond but honestly they are still very different. Maybe it’s just the nature of the casino setting but the lack of bond killing people and lack of gadgets really stood out. I liked it. He’s by far the most realistic feeling

Honestly the Moonraker book is phenomenal ... i want a film based on that book because the film he have is NOT the book XD

Started reading the Fleming books a couple of years ago - and it has completely made me re-assess who I thought the character of Bond was and it has deepened and enrichened my knowledge of the man.

I'm glad you pointed out that the Fleming novels have some pretty outlandish things in them like the movies, albeit to a lesser extent. Especially when you get to Dr No you'll find that the book is actually pretty freaking bonkers at times compared to the film, but in a fun way, if you ask me. Also, I have to say that the torture scene in Casino Royale was downright terrifying to read about. I remember squirming as I imagined Bond's agony.

The Fleming novels are fantastic. CR being my favourite

I’ve been waiting for this forever Calvin! This review was brilliant and I probably enjoyed it more than your film reviews! Please make sure you review every book in the series

I actually liked Live and Let Die more than I thought I would. My absolute worst is Dr No, although You Only Live Twice is so batshit crazy I can't decide whether it's terrible or absolutely genius. I would also genuinely put Zero Minus Ten in my Top 3 Bond novels of all time; I've read it 6 times! Hope you enjoy the book series Calvin.

Something you'll find with the novels is that much of the depth/interesting characterization was watered down/cut out for the films.

I think Ian was basically describing himself in the opening chapter. I believe Bond was Ian’s alter ego. I remembering reading the books I was younger, then on Audio many years later. So great when watching the films you can take bits from the books. Another great review

Great review Calvin, I read the books a few years back and really enjoyed them, you are in for a treat. Some of the later ones are my favourites.

I love this book. It really does a good job in giving Bond so much depth from the start. These are the actors I imagine for the characters: Bond - Timothy Dalton (once again, I feel he is basically book Bond brought to life, though there are times where Connery slips in) Vesper - Eva Green Felix - Bernie Casey Mathis - Giancarlo Giannini Tanner - James Villiers Moneypenny - Pamela Salem M - Robert Brown (physically, it's Bernard Lee, but the voice is always Robert Brown for me in these books) Le Chiffre - Peter Lorre

I'm glad you enjoyed this and that you're going to continue the series. You're going to love the later books, Live and Let Die is very, VERY problematic but it's insanely entertaining and enjoyably macabre.

Excited for you to get to Benson's books. They're easily number 2 after Fleming cos they're just so fun and engrossing too. Was emailing with him yesterday, he's a real nice guy!

The question is: What face does the Bond of the book have in your mind?

FINALLY, Calvin. I was wondering when you'd get around to the novels. I thought they were all good and within them are some amazing set pieces (esp. Moonraker). I initially avoided The Spy Who Loved Me because it's not written in the third person; it's written in the first person from the woman character's point of view. But it's excellent. Anyway, you should do more of these and I'd tell all Bond fans that if you haven't read the novels, you're missing out.

The 007 Legends review is going to be an absolute roast on the game isn't it XD

"I'm not expecting excellent female characters from Fleming, but (...) I think we'll see better Bond girls in the future. Or at least, I hope we do." Oh Calvin, speaking as someone who's read each of Fleming's novels at least once... your first instinct is always your best one. Excited to hear your thoughts on these novels though. After Live and Let Die, I think Fleming goes on auto-pilot for a lot of them (why Bond fans praise Moonraker the novel, I'll never understand), but the highs are very high. From Russia With Love, Thunderball and On Her Majesty's Secret Service are three of the most entertaining novels I've ever read.

Eva Green, Diana Rigg, and Honor Blackman... the three best Bond ladies in the Eon series.

Really nice to see you back on a more regular basis, man! I’ve been looking forward to your take on the literary series for a while. I was quite late reading them as well. Although I don’t necessarily agree with Flemings views I’ve always found him such a fascinating person! Really love the whole travelogue aspect that was sadly dropped from the later movies as well. Dr No is a real favourite when it comes to that. All the books set in Jamaica are fantastic. Really rich in detail and you could tell that Fleming absolutely loved the culture. Can’t wait for you to get to YOLT / TMWTGG! I’ve always found those stories would make perfect transition films for an old > new Bond actor. Hoping this is where they go with Craig, if I’m honest!

Great to hear your thoughts on the Casino Royale novel Calvin. I'm always interested to hear the impressions of long time Bond film fans who are reading the books for the first time and I'm looking forward to your reviews of the other novels. I hope Live And Let Die will prove more enjoyable than you are anticipating. I think its a really fast moving, exciting and entertaining novel.

I picked this book up after seeing how much you enjoyed it, and I finished it in a couple of hours. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I actually really loved the card game stuff; it was my favorite aspect of the book. I got quite tense reading that section even though I already knew what was going to happen. Although I think that the Bond portrayals we see on screen are more fun, I think that the character as described in the book is infinitely more relatable. I can't wait to read the next one, and I'm not even the biggest Bond fan in the world. I haven't even seen all the films.

A great way to start the series that has become better now that Anthony Horowitz has taken Fleming's discarded originals and made the semi-canonical “Forever and a Day”. Tense as few Bond novels.

The spy story to end all spy stories is The Spy Who Came in From the Cold

Great to see your reviewing the novels. Casino Royale is the book everyone talks about so much so that you would swear it is the only novel Fleming wrote. True I guess it does have an inspired and original plot but I don't think it is his best novel.

When they published this book, people thought SMERSH was fiction. And they didn't know what an intelligence service was. Smersh was disbanded before Fleming died.

I’m so glad you’ve started doing book reviews!!!!!!

Ah Calvin. I was hoping you'd see what a farce the 2006 film is in comparison to it's source material. The mutual respect between Bond and M, the journey Bond goes in the film is superfluous as he still achieves the same results in the book without 'becoming Bond', Bond and Mathis' relationship isn't compromised, etc. The snobbery aspect of Bond's character is one thing that many don't pick up on when suggesting Craig's Bond is closer to the source material (i.e. Craig's Bond is dressed by Green's Vesper as if she had a hand in shaping who Bond is, and yet Bond was already Bond going into the Casino Royale mission).

"Quite literal bollocking." Hahahahahahahaha !!!

What's very strange is James Bond is (kinda) targeted by a suicide bomber. I mean an assassin gets close to him and sets off a bomb on his person and Bond is almost caught in the shockwave, but it turns out the assassin didn't intentionally kill himself, he was given two devices: one he was told was a bomb that he should throw at his victim and the other device was supposed to create a harmless smokescreen for him to escape. Somehow they figured out he must have activated the smokescreen first only for it to be revealed that it was a trick... both devices were bombs.

YEESSSSS! I'm so happy you're reviewing the books! I've been working through then books myself, I'm up to From Russia With Love!

i'm really happy your'e finaly reviewing this!

Looking forward to these book reviews, this is the proper heart of the character

That's cool to have background music during your review, Calvin! Good idea!

Ahh I have been waiting for you to review the books!

Yes another upload!!!!

I actually like the movie best. It has a climax and a cool intro, where you actually get to see Bonds two first murders rather than just hearing about them. I also like that there is actually some investigation before Bond becomes aware of Le Chiffre. The only thing I really miss from the book is the way Vesper dies. Her drowning in an elevator is too over the top. I liked the novel version better on this bit.

When Bond first meets Vesper, she (in reference to her dress) says "if you hear me scream it's because I sat in a cane chair". ~Foreshadowing~

Ok it's a good book, but... in wich chapter Woody Allen kills everyone in the middle of a fight between indians and cowboys?

I read Ian Fleming when I was in high school around like 04-05. I got really into James Bond and had to read the books so I had my mom buy this boxed set they had (the books in this version didn't have pulpy covers the individual books had at the time).

I wonder if the films will ever dive into Bond’s usage of Benzedrine pills or the Morland of Grossover Street Cigarette shop

Have you checked out the audio book version - amazing!

Inspiration for the Work: The book was inspired by certain incidents that took place during Ian Fleming's wartime career at the Naval Intelligence Division (NID), or by events of which he was aware. On a trip to Portugal, en route to the United States, Fleming and the NID Director, Admiral Godfrey, went to the Estoril Casino. Because of Portugal's neutral status, Estoril's population had been swelled by spies and agents from the warring regimes. Fleming claimed that while there he was cleaned out by a "chief German agent" at a table playing chemin de fer. Admiral Godfrey told a different story: that Fleming only played Portuguese businessmen, and afterwards fantasised about playing against German agents.

Did anyone notice that the warehouse at the end of Spectre was called “Hildebrand”, which I believe is a reference to the Fleming short story titled Hildebrand Rarity? I think that’s a nice detail, but I’m also a bit disappointed by the fact that that might mean we won’t get a movie based on that story (it’s one of my favourites!)

Music on this video is perfect. Well done!

My library finally got my copy in and started reading it in the park today happy to get it. Have the next two on the way as well. Skkkrrttt

live and let die, hands down the best of the books.

Excited for more of these vids

@Calvin Dyson Among the books Casino Royale in particular is excellent. Ian Fleming had a tremendous gift for finding one word every paragraph or two to twist, just a little, and it shows a face, a room, an object, a feeling, a city, in an unusual way without ever seeming pretentious or contrived. Casino Royale is also compact and tightly plotted, at just 48,000 words when even fairly short novels today are 60,000 words long. In addition you're spared the absurd poker scenes of Craig's first film, which is really only one great foot chase, one well shot fight scene ending in the stairwell, and THAT scene, especially if you're a man. The initial dialogue between Craig and Green is ridiculously bad, chemistry free, and leaves the 'romance' beginning with the shower scene farcical.

I am in the same boat you were. I consider myself a huge fan boy of Bond but never read the original novels. About 10 years ago, I read Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker and Diamonds are Forever. Then, 9 years later I read the first 100 pages of From Russia With Love and never finished it. I just finished watching all 24 movies the other day and now I am going to finish reading the rest of the novels.

Fav bit in the book was when Fleming writes bond and Vespa going to stay at a beach resort, welcomed by a couple.. Bond slags them off as childless, spending their energies entertaining because they have no kids…. Meow’s

I've been a Bond fan for 22 years and only now finally gotten round to reading all the Fleming books. When reading through each book, I did try to imagine the Bond actor from each book's respective film adaptation. But when getting to certain points in the books where Bond acts in a certain way, I couldn't imagine each actor's Bond that way. So I won't try that again next time I read them. Though Craig's portrayal does mostly resemble Bond in Casino Royale, save a few moments. As does Dalton as the tougher Bond in the books.

While I am disappointed by no diamonds review since that made last week bearable. I'm glad to see that you are getting into the novels. But a rushed project with flaws is worse then a delayed project with no flaws at all. So take your time with that review. Besides that keep the content coming.

Do a video of James Bond actor portrayal: from worst to best

I've had to pause the video midpoint as the background music is so distracting and I want to focus on what you're saying. Can you ditch it for future reviews.

When will do diamonds are diver review

Started reading CASINO ROYALE. So far I like it. I am about to start chapter 6.

Just what I've been waiting for you to review, Casino Royale was the first book I have read twice. It does perplex me that there are so many Bond fans who have not read the Ian Fleming novels or haven't at least tried to read them. Wait until you get up to Thunderball where you'll never see or think of Blofeld in the same way again.

Thanks for that Calvin. I'm glad you have started to review the books. I have made a start on the too. I thoroughly enjoyed casino royale but I just admit I am currently reading live and let die and I'm finding it a bit of a slog.

I still have to read The Spy Who Loved Me, The Man With The Golden Gun, and finish You Only Live Twice. They're such easy and short reads when you have the time. What's interesting is that Bond, at the end of most of the books, ends up in hospital at the end.

Thanks for the review! Looking forward to picking up the book from the library. Subscribed. Keep up the great vids. -R

Several of us over on M16 Community are also doing a (slow) Bond Book Marathon (we're just cracking open DAF, but most of us have read these before, at least once). I hope that you don't mind my posting the link to your reviews over there.

Will you be doing Amis, Gardner, Benson, Faulks, Boyd, Deaver, Horowitz, Higson, Cole and Westbrook as well? Please please please……….

Right about the 2006 film beating the book. Not only is it my favorite Bond film, it’s one of my favorite films period.

I like this! Looking forward to more book reviews. :) (And yes, I’d also love to see your reaction to Diamonds Are Forever... that’s one odd duck in the series)

I’m guessing a different format will be used for the short story collections. Also, might as well not do a book vs. movie section for The Spy Who Loved Me as the only things the two have in common is a title and a steel toothed villain.

Cheers from the biggest Bond fan from Texas, USA

I have to disagree with you about the baccarat duel which is easily the highlight of the book, as exciting and enthralling as any action sequence. Raymond Benson has said how Fleming turned gaming contests in Moonraker and Goldfinger into thrilling sequences yet for me CR is only time I found these sequences exciting as I understood the mechanics of the game and there were real stakes. The third act honeymoon was somewhat disconcerting as the mission was over yet there's still another of the novel to go. Also when I saw Casino Royale 2006 I was surprised how much of the original novel was carried over into the film even Le Chiffre's inhaler made an appearance.

Hey Calvin, have you read that James Bond novel called "Forever and a Day" yet? I believe it was written by "Anthony Horowitz", and was released back in, like, May of 2018. If I understand that correctly, it is a prequel to Casino Royale. Where Bond is assigned to investigate the death of the original "007". Yes, the man who held the number "007" before Bond(i.e., his immediate predecessor). I believe they even go so far as to say that this man was among the first men to ascend to "Double-O" status. Which I've always interpreted as "Master" spy, "Expert"- level spy, or "Professional Agent". I'd be interested to hear what you thought(or think) of this novel.

Like them or not, the books should be required reading for all fans. Once you have finished the Fleming books, will be you be reviewing the continuation books?

Casino Royale was the last of Fleming Books that I read . I even read Fleming Non Fiction like Thrilling Cities and The Diamonds Smugglers before I read Casino Royale. It is a well written novel but short. I read it in about 2 hours on a Trip. I like the book. Love the 2006 movie.

Has anyone read the John Gardener Bond books? If so - are they worth reading? I read all of Fleming, and read 'Colonel Sun' and some of the more recent continuations, but have held off from moving on to Gardener. Should I give him a go? I'm willing to overlook the fact that, apparently, Bond drives a Saab during the Gardener era.

It's interesting to hear your thoughts on the books. I came from the same situation really, massive fan of the EON movies from when I was a kid, and only got around to reading the books about 4 years ago. I think what you said about the Bond girls getting less wooden is true, I think the Bond girls become a bit more interesting the further you go along. Gala Shields in Moonraker, Honey Ryder from Dr No and ofcourse Tracy from OHMSS all stick out as being quite memorable. And ofcourse, there is The Spy Who Loved Me, which is barely a Bond story, but rather a story about a woman with Bond being in it. The books definetly begin to grow more outlandish in scope and scale, the last 2 novels, You Only Live Twice and The Man with the Golden Gun definetly have things happen in them that I think would be considered to "out there" for the Craig era, Casino Royale is probably the most grounded aside from some of the short stories. I think Casino Royale holds up very well though to this day, and I think is definetly in the upper tier of Fleming Bond novels. I can understand your hesitation for Live and Let Die, how much you enjoy that novel depends on how much you can look past the dodgy race politics. Definetly more of a mixed bag.

I think the late Denholm Elliot could have been a good "M".

I dont know that i could order them... but i loved reading From Russia with Love, Casino Royale, You Only Live Twice, & Doctor No

Very interesting review; it's been years since I've read the book. A suggestion: since you've previously reviewed the Johnny English movies, how about a look at the best of the Bond spoofs, "Our Man Flint"?

I have started to read a few of the books, but they didn't hold my attention for long, which isn't necessarily the books fault - I had to do something else. Interesting to me is that Bond is thinking a lot about so much, he almost becomes a different character as compared to his movie persona. The best portion out of all the books I've read so far is the lengthy description of Red Grant, which really contributes to the character portrayal in the movie. In any case, great review series, appreciate it so far (well, I've totally missed this review, started with Live and Let Die).

Calvin: in addition to my below long-winded comment, I suggest you pick up a copy of the graphic novel to Casino. It's a good companion to the novel.

Personally I like the book more and would have preferred it if the 2006 film did more faithful adaptation of the novel. Not to go into too much criticism (I still think the film is brilliantly constructed and it is very fascinating and enjoyable) But the whole idea of le chiffre being a terrorist banker It’s quite annoying and and they should not be switched on location to Montenegro normal switch to game to poker. I guess the film just has a sickeningly modern feeling to it which irks me. Considering this was Fleming‘s first novel written in 1953, over 50 years before the film however it was hard to make it fell more like Fleming’s original bond adventure, but you still could have made more of an effort. Despite all this it still would be in my top 10 favourite bond film which is a credit to how well everyone involved did.

Movie version is much better than this but I still enjoyed it a lot. Vesper is such a throwaway character thou, and romance with Bond so badly handled, it kinda undermined why would Bond care about her so much. He seemed much more heartbroken over his love interest in Moonraker than here. Also, Le Chiffre in the movie is much more threatening villain than here, where he is almost a minor gangster/thug with just two underlings. But as a first James Bond story, it works really well and establishes his character very well. I can absolutely see Sean Connery as Bond here, some parts are virtually made for him!

In closing I will be after every month be having a closing party of each book by watching each film and watching your reviews after I read the novel

Looking forward to your re ranking of the bond films.

Hi Calvin! Can you please do some more Top 10s? Would love to know your top 10 favorite scenes!

2nd view not bad, im yet to read the books but i probably will soon.

I'd be interested to know which of the actors you saw as Bond in your mind's eye. If any - maybe you saw Hoagy Carmichael like Fleming wanted you to. Me personally, it changed a lot from book to book, even from chapter to chapter; but most of the time it was either Connery, Dalton, or Craig.

Live and Let Die is a more assured novel, in some respects, than Casino Royale but it’s also incredibly racist. There’s a glaring example about halfway through LALD where Bond and Leiter observe two African Americans sitting at a booth and gawk at them like they’re aliens.

It's ok Calvin, I only read Casino Royale ad Live and Let Die too 😂. Totally get where you come from. Both were great novels. Hoping to get back into the game soon :D Great vid, love your channel :) Keep up the good work mate!

No more delays. Please review Diamonds Are Forever.

Good book, the tension is there just for a card game, and the movie did a great job to modernize the book (even if half the movie doesn't exist in the book but they didn't have a choice) , I thought it was a bit awkward how Bond fell for Vesper pretty fast, he's naive and some scenes were embarassing to read when they're together with her being there, then cold , there but then cold again .

Really enjoying your channel Calvin. You have a new subscriber. Just curious, why have you have never done a review of the Daniel Craig Casino Royale film? It's a personal favorite :)

Finished it a few days ago, loved it.

Great review!

Hi Calvin, just writing to say that Part 2 of your Skyfall review has been removed. Any chance we can get that back up? It's one of my favorite reviews and one that I rewatch on a regular basis. Also, when are we going to get that reranking of all the Bond films? Thanks!

somone who call them self bond fans but have not read the greatest fleming novel CR, wow that was new.

Cavin i'am reading Bond books right now aswell. Right now i'am reading Diamonds Are Forever and i'am do hyped for Blofeld trilogy. I was waiting for your opinions about books so loong. :D And which actor do you imaginening as Bond?