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Dispatched by M to investigate the mysterious disappearance of MI6's Jamaica station chief, Bond was expecting a holiday in the sun. But when he discovers a deadly centipede placed in his hotel room, the vacation is over. On this island, all suspicious activity leads inexorably to Dr. Julius No, a reclusive megalomaniac with steel pincers for hands. To find out what the good doctor is hiding, 007 must enlist the aid of local fisherman Quarrel and alluring beachcomber Honeychile Rider. Together they will combat a local legend the natives call ?the Dragon, ? before Bond alone must face the most punishing test of all: an obstacle course ? designed by the sadistic Dr. No himself ? that measures the limits of the human body's capacity for agony.… (more)
James Bond is recovering from his near-death experience (From Russia with Love) — so Q sends him to Jamaica on light duty: A British agent and his secretary have disappeared after having investigated ongoings on Crab Island and; The Audobahn Society has their feathers ruffled because a population of roseate spoonbills, as well as two of their scientists, have disappeared. A reclusive, enigmatic figure, the eponymous Dr. No, may provide the answers to both mysteries.
Unlike the Hollywood Bonds, these adventures do not dismiss the vicissitudes of spy craft: People are hurt, killed, tortured, maimed… and Bond himself does not escape unscathed. The women and 007’s relationships with them are much more nuanced as well. There are still some incredulous action scenes and some “McGiver” cleverness in play but HEAs are not guaranteed— at least not in the way you might expect.
I’m loving the readings the celebrity actors are giving these adventures (high praise indeed considering I usually shy away from celebrity narrators) and due credit must be given to whom ever directs the studio sessions. The rough edges of Fleming’s narrative (e.g. dismissive tone towards the old ladies and their birds) is fully contextualized within the character speaking and allows the near poetry of some passages to shine through.
Hugh Quarshie,an older Ghanaian-British actor narrates this story. He has a very soft, “blurry” British accent akin to Michael York but with a finer ear for the Jamaican patois. ( )
Once again, Ian Fleming has managed to surprise me with how Bond is portrayed. Being able to read his thoughts makes him more human and less of a stereotypical action hero. Dr. No, on the other hand, struck me as much more creepy than the movie character! ( )
Now this one was a bit more like it. More like the Bond I thought I knew. Still a bit too much on the buildup and too quick through the action, but this one has been the best so far. ( )
Punctually at six o'clock the sun set with a last yellow flash behind the Blue Mountains, a wave of violet shadow poured down Richmond Road, and the crickets and tree frogs in the fine gardens began to zing and tinkle.
Dispatched by M to investigate the mysterious disappearance of MI6's Jamaica station chief, Bond was expecting a holiday in the sun. But when he discovers a deadly centipede placed in his hotel room, the vacation is over. On this island, all suspicious activity leads inexorably to Dr. Julius No, a reclusive megalomaniac with steel pincers for hands. To find out what the good doctor is hiding, 007 must enlist the aid of local fisherman Quarrel and alluring beachcomber Honeychile Rider. Together they will combat a local legend the natives call ?the Dragon, ? before Bond alone must face the most punishing test of all: an obstacle course ? designed by the sadistic Dr. No himself ? that measures the limits of the human body's capacity for agony.
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Book description
Year - 1958 Tease - The diabolical Doctor No, "You have both put me to a great deal of trouble. Now I intend to put you to a great deal of pain." With a fiendish smile, Doctor No taunted his prize captives - the brilliant agent James Bond and the beautiful blonde Honeychile. The unlucky pair had discovered the closely guarded secret of Crab Key Island. Now they must suffer the penalty. Doctor No had planned his maze of tortures carefully. Each was a harrowing test of endurance, strength and courage. He'd waited a long time for the perfect victim. Now - he had two of them.
Villain - Doctor Julius No, is half Chinese and half German. He is six foot six inches tall. Bald with a skull like face, jet black eyes and no eyelashes. His heart is located on the right side of his chest. A cruel and authoritative mouth and receding chin. He also does not have hands, only pincers. When he walks, he gives the appearance of gliding.
Bond-Girl - Honeychile Rider, a blonde with deep blue eyes under lashes 'paled by the sun' Wide mouth and a jaw line that is 'determined'. A face that fends for herself but a very naive island girl. She has a broken nose which was caused by a former lover. Bond compares her to Botticelli's Venus. She never had formal schooling but has read the encyclopedia.
Minor Characters - Quarrel, M, Major Boothroyd, Playdell-Smith, The Three Blind Chigroes
Plot - Beaming radio waves to U.S. rockets to misguide them.
Highlights - Bond's night time ordeal with a deadly centipede, Crab Key, Dr. No's obstacle course and giant squid confrontation.
Opening Sentence - Punctually at six o'clock the sun set with a last yellow flash behind the Blue Mountains, a wave of violet shadow poured down Richmond Road, and the crickets and tree frogs in the fine gardens began to zing and tinkle.
Trivia - The plot of Doctor No was lifted from a failed TV project called "Commander Jamaica." It had a character named James Gunn who was investigating an island in the Caribbean, where criminals were deflecting the paths of rockets from Cape Canaveral.
Haiku summary
Double Oh Seven fights second-rate Fu Manchu because of some birds. (yoyogod)
Legacy Library: Ian Fleming
Ian Fleming has a Legacy Library. Legacy libraries are the personal libraries of famous readers, entered by LibraryThing members from the Legacy Libraries group.
Unlike the Hollywood Bonds, these adventures do not dismiss the vicissitudes of spy craft: People are hurt, killed, tortured, maimed… and Bond himself does not escape unscathed. The women and 007’s relationships with them are much more nuanced as well. There are still some incredulous action scenes and some “McGiver” cleverness in play but HEAs are not guaranteed— at least not in the way you might expect.
I’m loving the readings the celebrity actors are giving these adventures (high praise indeed considering I usually shy away from celebrity narrators) and due credit must be given to whom ever directs the studio sessions. The rough edges of Fleming’s narrative (e.g. dismissive tone towards the old ladies and their birds) is fully contextualized within the character speaking and allows the near poetry of some passages to shine through.
Hugh Quarshie,an older Ghanaian-British actor narrates this story. He has a very soft, “blurry” British accent akin to Michael York but with a finer ear for the Jamaican patois. ( )