Casino Royale (Book Review)

There’s no denying how much James Bond has become an icon of popular culture. His impact can be seen simply from his lines, appearances, drinks, cars, girls, and the enemies he has to face. His influence in the spy fiction genre is also unmatched, and he is the trope codifier of the genre as equivalent to Sherlock Holmes when it comes to detective fiction and Superman when it comes to superhero fiction. Most people know James Bond from his successful films — a series that spans generations and beloved by critics, fans, and any other average consumer. But these films are mere adaptations. Bond first came to life in the novels of the great Ian Fleming. If the movie series is acclaimed by many, what about the James Bond novels?

I’ve always been a slight fan of the Eon film series but I haven’t tried reading the original novels until recently. Fleming’s writing style and storytelling has their ups and downs but so far I think the positive outweighs the negative. Almost all the novels have the same Fleming style of writing and storytelling, and the one that encapsulates this the most is the first novel, Casino Royale.

One of the most striking element of the novel is the realism, at least, compared to the films or most spy fiction. There are no fancy high-tech gadgets; most of the spy weapons are crude, like cameras containing grenades and smoke bombs (which ends up killing their users). There are no detailed martial arts fights or exotic combat styles; the only time Bond fought hand-to-hand was the time he defeated a would-be assassin with careful planning and timing instead of sheer physicality. Yet, even without the gadgets and the fights, the story remains intriguing, knowing that the author himself is an intelligence agent and is thus well-versed about the art of espionage.

The novel tells the story of MI6 agent James Bond, who is tasked to infiltrate a luxurious casino to compete and bankrupt criminal Le Chiffre. This is made difficult by the fact that his target is also a cunning opponent, as well as other enemy agents and assassins from other countries. However, the real danger he had to face comes from someone he did not expect, showing just how treacherous the life of a spy is. That being said, Casino Royale began many tropes that would soon be staples in future Bond films and spy fiction: Exotic locations, expensive dresses, car chases, twists and betrayals. The thrill and the adventure of it all began from this novel.

Of course, I wouldn’t end this review without addressing the elephant in the room. Indeed, Bond is one controversial character — a very sexist and racist one. This doesn’t mean Ian Fleming automatically is similar because of the character he created. There are no perfect characters overall and Fleming himself probably didn’t want Bond to be 100% likeable. But said elements can also be distasteful to those who don’t like such characterizations.

Fleming’s writings also has its problems. He jumps from present to past tense, and while he’s good at describing food and places, his descriptions of important events leave a lot to be desired upon. For example, gambling has a large presence in the story, yet Fleming writes it as if his readers already know how the games are played. Another problem in storytelling are his plot holes and misuse of deus ex machina. Bond at one point loses the game, gets assistance from another agent to be able to play again, plays, and then wins this time for some reason.

Still, even with all of its negatives, Casino Royale is still a thrilling and enjoyable read. It showcases the adventures and intrigue of the spy fiction well, and I can see why it is one of the most fundamental books in history.