Library Journal
The allure of James Bond was best described by Raymond Chandler, who insisted that 007 is "what every man would like to be and what every woman would like to have between her sheets." Who can argue with that? This month marks the 40th anniversary of the film release of Dr. No, which was the first Bond adventure to make the big screen, and two big coffee-table books are being published to honor the occasion (LJ 10/1/02, p. 96). Shockingly, Fleming's original novels have gone out of print, but Penguin here reproduces a trio of the British secret agent's early outings, released in 1952, 1958, and 1959, respectively, sporting stylish cover art. These stories were racy for the nifty Fifties but are quite tame by today's standards. Still, they can be fun. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Evening Standard (London)
The essence of a James Bond thriller is its speed, its knowingness…Dr. No has a full quota of every ingredient. Bond is better than ever.”
author of High Time to Kill Raymond Benson
Dr. No is certainly one of the best James Bond novels. In terms of sheer excitement and thrills, it ranks very high. It also has a simple, direct plot, a very appealing heroine, and the best villain since Hugo Drax. It isn’t surprising that it was also chosen to be the first 007 film.”
JUN/JUL 02 - AudioFile
[Editor's Note: The following is a combined review with GOLDFINGER and LIVE & LET DIE.]--Through the filter of modern sensitivities, the James Bond adventures of Ian Fleming appear to be racist, sexist, overflowing with nicotine and alcohol, and melodramatic. But exchange that filter with one of historical perspective, and one finds oneself in a delightful romp out of time. Robert Whitfield's polished voice is an enchanting accompaniment to Fleming's exotic settings and stories. His English accent is as smooth as a dry martini--shaken not stirred--and he slips into other accents (West Indian and African American in LIVE & LET DIE, German in GOLDFINGER, and Chinese in DR. NO) as easily as the fictional 007 slips out of a dangerous situation and into the bed of a beautiful woman. Listening to these unabridged novels is more subtle than watching the films, but ultimately more rewarding. S.E.S. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine
