This has been refuted, and it is likely that he embellished this encounter, which in reality was a low stakes game against a group of Portuguese businessmen. In the Estoril Casino, Fleming claimed to have been beaten by German agents in a high stakes game of chemin de fer. At one point, Fleming traveled alongside his boss, Rear Admiral John Godfrey (who would serve as the main inspiration for M), to Portugal. In what was apparently an attempt to get his mind off the upcoming wedding, he finally got around to what he had been meaning to do for some time: write a spy novel.īased on experiences and stories he heard during his time in Naval Intelligence during World War II, Ian Fleming devised the plot for what would be the first book in the series, Casino Royale. During his stay in 1952, he began a tradition that would bring forth the icon that is James Bond. Following her second divorce, the two became engaged in 1951.įleming began working for the Sunday Times in 1945, and his contract stipulated that he was to be given two months paid holiday every winter, during which time he went to Jamaica to stay in Goldeneye. The biggest was his forthcoming marriage to Ann Rothermere, whom he had been having an affair with for quite some time. Having grown comfortable with splitting his time between London and Goldeneye, his beachside home in Jamaica, he found himself somewhat at odds with many changes taking place in his life. Many factors led to Ian Fleming’s decision to write a novel. But some people just refuse to play by the rules, and Bond’s attraction to a beautiful female agent leads him to disaster and an unexpected saviour.” It seems that lady luck is taken with James - Le Chiffre has hit a losing streak.

This, the first of Fleming’s tales of agent 007, finds Bond on a mission to neutralize a lethal, high-rolling Russian operative called simply “Le Chiffre” - by ruining him at the baccarat table and forcing his Soviet spymasters to “retire” him. “Introducing James Bond: charming, sophisticated, handsome chillingly ruthless and very deadly.

Teaser from the Penguin paperback edition: “But don’t let me down and become human yourself. They are easier to fight for than principles.“ He laughed. Opening Sentence: The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning.īest line: “Surround yourself with human beings, my dear James.

Page Count: 218 (UK First Edition), 187 (US First Edition), 228 (UK Paperback), 178 (US Paperback)

Story Locations: London (England), Royale-les-Eaux (France) MI6 Personnel: M, Miss Moneypenny, Bill Tanner He was a secret agent, and still alive thanks to his exact attention to the detail of his profession.

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