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The legend continues! Stand by for more adventures with the world's greatest secret agent, as some of his most thrilling missions are collected for the first time ever! When two M15 agents disappear in Jamaica, Bond is sent to investigate - but a mysterious assailant attempts to dispatch 007 with everything from poisoned nectarines to killer centipedes! And when Bond links the attacks to the island of Crab Key, owned by the mysterious Doctor No, his troubles are just beginning! This new edition also collects Diamonds Are Forever and From Russia, With Love! Not only that, it also features a new introduction by Eunice Gayson (Sylvia Trench) and the final part of a feature examining the post-Fleming novels!
112 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 12, 2015
Another RGB present, and am slowing knocking these off...a purely guilty pleasure this.
Random thoughts - why did they begin the films with this one- seems something of an odd choice to me. It is, when we scrape away the post-cold war setting, a frankly ludicrous plot. It really is quite odd, and Dr No's test/labyrinthe is just bonkers. Growing up with the films it is funny to read how bonkers the plots were in the novel. Generally, I think Fleming is better when the plot has more credibility - From Russia with Love - perhaps the case in point. Yet, yet, yet - it skips by, it is ridiculously engrossing, Honey Rider is a a brilliant foil/love interest, and as the intro in my edition argues - Bond's friendship is both horribly patronising, yet both warm and hypnotic. Utter, brilliant, guilt-pleasure daftness...
Random thoughts - why did they begin the films with this one- seems something of an odd choice to me. It is, when we scrape away the post-cold war setting, a frankly ludicrous plot. It really is quite odd, and Dr No's test/labyrinthe is just bonkers. Growing up with the films it is funny to read how bonkers the plots were in the novel. Generally, I think Fleming is better when the plot has more credibility - From Russia with Love - perhaps the case in point. Yet, yet, yet - it skips by, it is ridiculously engrossing, Honey Rider is a a brilliant foil/love interest, and as the intro in my edition argues - Bond's friendship is both horribly patronising, yet both warm and hypnotic. Utter, brilliant, guilt-pleasure daftness...
May 15, 2014
Dr. No is one of the stronger Bond novels, a superb tour-de-force by the enthralling Ian Fleming. You’ve probably seen the film version featuring the inimitable Sean Connery as Fleming’s protagonist, but the 007 that Fleming writes about is very different to the playboy extraordinaire that we see on the silver screen.
Here, Bond is weak and half-defeated, away on a mission to Jamaica to carry out a simple task, an investigation in to the unexplained disappearance of Commander John Strangways. Bond is expecting an easy mission, but he quickly discovers that something strange is going on, and all of the rumours seem to surround the eponymous Dr. Julian No, the Chinese operator of a guano mine on the island of Crab Key.
Throughout the novel, Dr. No is a mysterious character who somehow continues to be a threat despite the fact that almost nothing is known about him. The use of guano as a plot device is a stroke of genius, as is the use of the endangered Roseate Spoonbill – they pose a threat to Dr. No, because their protected status proved troublesome to his guano operation.
Overall, this novel comes highly recommended from me, and I think you’ll enjoy it whether you’re a fan of the movies or not – as seems to be the case with most things, the book is better. So go forth and read it!
Here, Bond is weak and half-defeated, away on a mission to Jamaica to carry out a simple task, an investigation in to the unexplained disappearance of Commander John Strangways. Bond is expecting an easy mission, but he quickly discovers that something strange is going on, and all of the rumours seem to surround the eponymous Dr. Julian No, the Chinese operator of a guano mine on the island of Crab Key.
Throughout the novel, Dr. No is a mysterious character who somehow continues to be a threat despite the fact that almost nothing is known about him. The use of guano as a plot device is a stroke of genius, as is the use of the endangered Roseate Spoonbill – they pose a threat to Dr. No, because their protected status proved troublesome to his guano operation.
Overall, this novel comes highly recommended from me, and I think you’ll enjoy it whether you’re a fan of the movies or not – as seems to be the case with most things, the book is better. So go forth and read it!
February 25, 2021
Having read the books by Fleming and seen the movies, I was pleased to stumble across this volume of the collected comic strip. This volume, in addition to the title story, also included the adaptations of Diamonds are Forever and From Russia With Love. That sounds like too much to fit into one book, but the pacing of the comic strip was quite different. Most of the Bond novels at that point were adapted into only 100 daily episodes or so. Later, the adaptations were much longer.
This volume also includes some interesting tidbits, like an analysis of who the other "00" agents were, and when they were mentioned in stories or films.
I plan to track down some of the other volumes in this series, especially the later ones that were paced in a bit more leisurely style.
This volume also includes some interesting tidbits, like an analysis of who the other "00" agents were, and when they were mentioned in stories or films.
I plan to track down some of the other volumes in this series, especially the later ones that were paced in a bit more leisurely style.
February 15, 2020
Paced well enough to be an enjoyable easy read. The only real shock on offer here is some of the racial profiling which seems staggering in its depth and absurdity.
March 21, 2020
Great book very much if it's time
November 13, 2014
It is interesting that the sixth book in the Bond series, Dr. No, would become the first movie. It is also interesting that this does not appear to be a random pick: Dr. No is by far (so far) the most archetypal book in the series. After surviving his encounter with the Russian assassination agency SMERSH and crushing a Soviet plan that very nearly worked, Bond recovers from the finale of From Russia With Love and is ordered by M to take a brief vacation in Jamaica. He is also to investigate the disappearance of Strangways, a character from the second book Live and Let Die. Naturally Bond unravels something far bigger than the trivial nature of the assignment - the nefarious Dr. No and his mysterious island.
I find it even more interesting that Dr. No would flop as a movie and the Bond franchise only really started with the success of From Russia With Love, which became the second film. Dr. No is the prototype for all future Bond films, putting aside the Timothy Dalton and Daniel Craig eras which are distinctly cut from the book cloth. This novel is not a massive departure from the previous novels, but it does introduce a few Bond tropes not seen in the previous novels. A whole chapter is dedicated to Dr. No's elaborate life story, establishing the tradition of over-confident and verbose arch-villains. Previous heavyweight baddies in this mold - Mr. Big from Live and Let Die and Hugo Drax from Moonraker - were confident, but wasted little of their time really interacting with Bond. Dr. No likes to ramble a bit, but it makes sense considering you only really encounter the character twice in the book. Still, the hallmarks of future Bond villains have his fingerprints all over them.
The book and movie follow each other quite closely, except for the third act which wildly departs in different directions. I guess the movie couldn't follow in the book's ambitious steps. This third act has a particular fantastical element to it that again is more associable with the movies than the novels. I have my theories over why Dr. No is such a shift, being that Ian Fleming is probably moving from the post-war glamour of Bond into more cinematic faire to appeal to his maturing audience. Fleming was also always open about a Bond movie and perhaps he wrote Dr. No with that in mind. Whatever the reason, Dr. No is where the movie Bond starts - both in film and on paper. One exception is SPECTRE, the criminal organisation that only exists in the movie versions, and Ms. Moneypenny remains a largely unseen character in the books, whereas the Dr. No film is in a way her debut.
As a Bond novel it is good fun and an insight into the character's mettle. Guns feature a bit more than normal, particularly since this is the book where Fleming corrected a lot of his anemic knowledge on the subject with the help of a fan. Major Boothroyd wrote to Fleming, advising him on better weapons for Bond. As a result Bond receives his legendary Walther PPK pistol, though a Smith & Wesson takes most of the limelight in the novel. Fleming named the book's quartermaster after Boothroyd, a character that would soon transform into the much-loved Q. Boothroyd/Q debuts in Dr. No, so it was again a fitting novel for a first movie.
Is Dr. No the best Bond novel yet? That is becoming harder to say. One thing missing from the movies is that Bond in the novels evolves and becomes more complicated with each book. It's nuanced but still there. In Dr. No we get a sense of the loyalty he inspires and the consequences of that - something Bond wrestles with at several points. But this is easily the most bombastic of the Bond novels and a clear shift in the formula. I am very keen read the next book, the legendary Goldfinger, to see where this formula goes.
I find it even more interesting that Dr. No would flop as a movie and the Bond franchise only really started with the success of From Russia With Love, which became the second film. Dr. No is the prototype for all future Bond films, putting aside the Timothy Dalton and Daniel Craig eras which are distinctly cut from the book cloth. This novel is not a massive departure from the previous novels, but it does introduce a few Bond tropes not seen in the previous novels. A whole chapter is dedicated to Dr. No's elaborate life story, establishing the tradition of over-confident and verbose arch-villains. Previous heavyweight baddies in this mold - Mr. Big from Live and Let Die and Hugo Drax from Moonraker - were confident, but wasted little of their time really interacting with Bond. Dr. No likes to ramble a bit, but it makes sense considering you only really encounter the character twice in the book. Still, the hallmarks of future Bond villains have his fingerprints all over them.
The book and movie follow each other quite closely, except for the third act which wildly departs in different directions. I guess the movie couldn't follow in the book's ambitious steps. This third act has a particular fantastical element to it that again is more associable with the movies than the novels. I have my theories over why Dr. No is such a shift, being that Ian Fleming is probably moving from the post-war glamour of Bond into more cinematic faire to appeal to his maturing audience. Fleming was also always open about a Bond movie and perhaps he wrote Dr. No with that in mind. Whatever the reason, Dr. No is where the movie Bond starts - both in film and on paper. One exception is SPECTRE, the criminal organisation that only exists in the movie versions, and Ms. Moneypenny remains a largely unseen character in the books, whereas the Dr. No film is in a way her debut.
As a Bond novel it is good fun and an insight into the character's mettle. Guns feature a bit more than normal, particularly since this is the book where Fleming corrected a lot of his anemic knowledge on the subject with the help of a fan. Major Boothroyd wrote to Fleming, advising him on better weapons for Bond. As a result Bond receives his legendary Walther PPK pistol, though a Smith & Wesson takes most of the limelight in the novel. Fleming named the book's quartermaster after Boothroyd, a character that would soon transform into the much-loved Q. Boothroyd/Q debuts in Dr. No, so it was again a fitting novel for a first movie.
Is Dr. No the best Bond novel yet? That is becoming harder to say. One thing missing from the movies is that Bond in the novels evolves and becomes more complicated with each book. It's nuanced but still there. In Dr. No we get a sense of the loyalty he inspires and the consequences of that - something Bond wrestles with at several points. But this is easily the most bombastic of the Bond novels and a clear shift in the formula. I am very keen read the next book, the legendary Goldfinger, to see where this formula goes.
December 9, 2014
Länge har jag haft ambitionen att läsa Ian Flemings romaner om agent 007, James Bond. Av en slump springer jag på en gammal fin inbunden utgåva av Dr. No, som jag då trodde var den första i ledet med tanke på att den första filmen gjordes baserad på denna bok. Där hade jag givetvis fel, Casino Royal var den första boken om agent 007. Icke desto mindre var det intressant för mig att läsa just denna först, för i min värld är Dr. No det första mötet med Bond. Att läsa Casino Royal först hade förmodligen skapat en skev bild efter det är Daniel Craigs tryne som dyker upp inför mitt inre öga när jag läsa beskrivningarna. Inte för att Flemings beskrivningar tog mig med storm i Dr. No.
Språket är enkelt och effektivt, skapar en spänning och ett momentum utan att hänga kvar vid onödiga detaljer, vilket i min åsikt författare från det tidiga 1900-talet tenderar att göra. Därtill skapar denna korthuggna deckarstil dock inget större djup, men med tanke på bokens förmodade syfte är detta ingenting som stjälper.
Extra intressant är den post-koloniala attribut som boken har, rasismen är påtaglig genom hela narrativet. Faktum är att rasismen är obligatorisk för romanen, utan att porträtteras som någonting av ond natur. Det är helt enkelt så det är. Bond och hans likar representerar den brittiska aristokratin som fortfarande lever loppan i sina lyxkåkar på Jamaica. Detta är dock någonting som kommer att se sitt slut förr eller senare, vilket Fleming också påpekar i början av romanen, icke desto mindre är de fast bestämda att leva sitt översittarliv så länge de kan. Ondskan, antagonisten, fienden i boken, presenteras genom att det dyker upp tre blind kinesnegrer, ja du läste rätt, kinesnegrer. Denna udda rasblandning porträtteras som ohyggligt ful, aggressiv och allmänt opålitlig, raka motsatsen till den rakryggade britten. Konflikten trappas upp när det etableras att det finns väldigt många kineser på Jamaica, och att dessa kunde ena sig och bli ett allvarligt hot om det bara dök upp en stark kinesisk ledare, och på det viset fortsätter det. Ras-attribut är någonting som Fleming tar på största allvar och karaktärer beskrivs konsekvent med referenser till dess ras-kopplade utseende och beteende.
I övrigt har Bond ett större djup än i filmerna, att han känner skräck, kärlek, sorg och empati är mycket tydligt i boken till skillnad från filmen, där han snarare porträtteras som hänsynslös. Boken är därtill mycket grövre i sitt våld än filmerna, vilket kanske är föga förvånande med tanke på vilka mesproppar folk var förr. I detta nu minns jag inte riktigt hur Dr. No-filmen slutar, men i denna fanns det med en jättebläckfisk, och det kan jag säga direkt att det inte finns med i filmen.
Språket är enkelt och effektivt, skapar en spänning och ett momentum utan att hänga kvar vid onödiga detaljer, vilket i min åsikt författare från det tidiga 1900-talet tenderar att göra. Därtill skapar denna korthuggna deckarstil dock inget större djup, men med tanke på bokens förmodade syfte är detta ingenting som stjälper.
Extra intressant är den post-koloniala attribut som boken har, rasismen är påtaglig genom hela narrativet. Faktum är att rasismen är obligatorisk för romanen, utan att porträtteras som någonting av ond natur. Det är helt enkelt så det är. Bond och hans likar representerar den brittiska aristokratin som fortfarande lever loppan i sina lyxkåkar på Jamaica. Detta är dock någonting som kommer att se sitt slut förr eller senare, vilket Fleming också påpekar i början av romanen, icke desto mindre är de fast bestämda att leva sitt översittarliv så länge de kan. Ondskan, antagonisten, fienden i boken, presenteras genom att det dyker upp tre blind kinesnegrer, ja du läste rätt, kinesnegrer. Denna udda rasblandning porträtteras som ohyggligt ful, aggressiv och allmänt opålitlig, raka motsatsen till den rakryggade britten. Konflikten trappas upp när det etableras att det finns väldigt många kineser på Jamaica, och att dessa kunde ena sig och bli ett allvarligt hot om det bara dök upp en stark kinesisk ledare, och på det viset fortsätter det. Ras-attribut är någonting som Fleming tar på största allvar och karaktärer beskrivs konsekvent med referenser till dess ras-kopplade utseende och beteende.
I övrigt har Bond ett större djup än i filmerna, att han känner skräck, kärlek, sorg och empati är mycket tydligt i boken till skillnad från filmen, där han snarare porträtteras som hänsynslös. Boken är därtill mycket grövre i sitt våld än filmerna, vilket kanske är föga förvånande med tanke på vilka mesproppar folk var förr. I detta nu minns jag inte riktigt hur Dr. No-filmen slutar, men i denna fanns det med en jättebläckfisk, och det kan jag säga direkt att det inte finns med i filmen.
July 10, 2014
Better than the disappointing Goldfinger, better than the movie adaptation. Subtract a star for Dr. No's interminable and terminal monologing, but this is one of the better entries in the series so far. Pleasant surprises include Honeychile Rider being a smarter and tougher woman than we've seen in the past (lots of monologing there, too, but nowhere near the levels the doctor sets), the loving descriptions of Jamaica and Crabkey and the waters between, the feelings Bond has for and about Quarrel, and the psychology of Bond coming out of From Russia With Love.
September 6, 2015
Probably my favorite Bond book so far, or at least tied with Casino Royale. Some great insight into sheer strength of will, thanks to Dr. No's strange form of conceit. His belief that others lives are expendable for his education in the pain vs terror tolerance the human body and brain are able to endure. Very similar to the six-fingered man (The Princess Bride) he is a formidable villain described in such visually emotionally inspiring detail, that while you are made uncomfortable reading him through Ian's eyes, it is almost shamefully pleasurable just the same.
April 13, 2016
A short, uncomplicated, entertaining detective thriller set in the Caribbean. James Bond was much more of an average guy than as portrayed in the movies, and had none of the gadgets or smarminess. Dr. No was an intriguing villain. There was absolutely no reason for Honeychild to be in the story except for awkwardly drawn out erotic situations. The stereotypes of Black, Chinese, and Indigenous Caribbeans would certainly be considered racist by modern standards. I enjoyed reading this story but probably won't be seeking out more Bond novels, it just wasn't that compelling.
April 25, 2014
Dr. No's fate takes the phrase "s*** happens" to a whole new level. Where do these Bond villains come from? The unbounded cruelty is completely unfathomable, yet Bond faces it with grit, determination, and survival. His relationship with "Honey" is very earthy, both in quality and in language used to describe her and they way they interact. She is childlike, yet street smart, and she faces intentional cruelty with grit that equals Bond's own.
August 24, 2014
Definitely my favourite Bond book so far (reading them in order). It's patiently written, with Bond initially recovering from his wounds received in the previous novel. After being dispatched to Jamaica to investigate an agent that has gone missing, he stumbles on the fiendish plans of the mysterious Dr No. There are plenty of memorable characters, some brutal action, and an end sequence that takes you inside the mind of what it takes to be a survivor like Bond. Highly recommended.
June 30, 2014
The further along the series I get the more I am appreciating Ian Fleming's ability to paint a picture... the imagery of the scenery and characters is vivid and at times so graphic it reads like you are watching a movie... Dr No is an incredible villain, and Honey is the quintessential "Bond Girl" vulnerable but strong, beautiful but flawed, needy but independent... I really enjoyed this one.
July 28, 2014
So, this is not my favorite of these books, so far. It's not bad, it's just there's a little more objectification of the female character in this novel, Honey Rider, without giving her very many positive skills and traits to balance it out at all. The story also strikes me as slightly underdeveloped. Oh well. There was still plenty to enjoy, here, and Dr. No's eventually fate is blackly comical.
December 15, 2014
I really do enjoy the James Bond books. Everyone loves the movies, but there is a level to to the detail in the books that just can't be transferred. Some of the reasoning behind what is going on is explained. For instance, the reasoning behind the WaltherPPK is explained.....fabulous! I am just figuring out there is an order to the books as well. Guess I have some reading to do.
May 5, 2014
Darker and better written than you'd think. But ultimately rather preposterous and straightforward . The end dragged, although in fairness the rest was quick going.
Favourite quote: In combat, like it or not, a girl is your extra heart. The enemy has two targets to your one.
Favourite quote: In combat, like it or not, a girl is your extra heart. The enemy has two targets to your one.
June 16, 2014
I'd have liked this book more if it wasn't just so extraordinarily racist. It's racist in that special British way that doesn't feel like the product of ignorance so much as arrogance. Maybe I should just expect that of pulp prior to the civil rights movement.
September 19, 2014
A absolutely fantastic book. Action, suspense, mystery, romance; all in one book. I would read this book a thousand times over, and recommend it to anyone. Starting out as a vacation for Bond, in true Bond fashion, ends up uncovering a mystery that is constantly throwing a twist in.
January 15, 2015
Fast and fun read. Perhaps overly theatric at the end, but that's what I signed up for. I like bond and how it takes one back into a different era (including polite word choice and unexpected racism).
January 25, 2015
Fast, fun Bond, displaying some of the best writing of the series so far – as well as the most overt racism and sexism, but then what does one expect? Fleming and Bond are entirely creatures of their time, class and culture.
February 18, 2015
Better than the movie, this book had plenty of action, romance and action. The government figures that Bond runs into are stuffy and stilted; nice to know that James Bond doesn't like then either! After all of this time the plot still comes through. A good read.
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October 19, 2011I think that it was a very interesting book so far and is a very good read even for someone who has seen the movie.
May 1, 2014
one of the better Bond books I have read.... (I am reading them all in the order they were written) Fleming is getting better with each book!
May 25, 2014
Enjoyable, as with the rest of the series... though it did get a little silly by the end. A little less grounded than Fleming's other Bond books.
June 16, 2014
Well done!
September 6, 2014
dr no is a solid james bond novel, although the ending felt a compact. I enjoyed it however and would recommend!
November 1, 2014
Another solid Bond classic
January 28, 2015
The 6th book in the James Bond series by Ian Fleming.
A decent short read full of action as you would expect. An entertaining read.
A decent short read full of action as you would expect. An entertaining read.
August 4, 2015
Love this book! looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
June 1, 2015
Dr No [1958, McMillan Book Club Edition, No Slipcover, No markings]
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews