Status Updates From Casinò Royal

‘Surround yourself with human beings, my dear James. They are easier to fight for than principles.’

A really suspenseful read. I’d love to have enough money to partake in baccarat one day, but I’ll stick to blackjack for the moment.

Even despite knowing that there’s many Bond novels that follow this one, the moments where Bond can, and should, be killed still bring me so much anticipation and thrill. Brilliant.

I got very stuck in reading a few books simultaneously after my surgery and before. I wasn't really enjoying the William Gibson Count zero. I thought why not go for something light and classic. Finally decided to indulge in Casino Royale since it's the 20th anniversary of the Craig film soon. I had just finished playing 007 first light as well. I am also listening to the abridged BBC radio productions alongside it.

Pg 57 "The concierge proffered glycerine hopes for Bond’s recovery.
Ian Fleming is using "glycerine hopes" as a clever, cynical metaphor meaning that the concierge's wishes for Bond's recovery were fake, shallow, or insincere.