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David McK (3770 KP) rated Casino Royale Vintage 007 in Books

Jan 30, 2019

Casino Royale Vintage 007

Ian Fleming | 2012 | Fiction & Poetry

4.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

The very first James Bond (now a cultural phenomenon) book, and I'm sorry, but - much like the most recent Bond film of the same name - it's very hard to make high stakes gambling interesting or exciting (without being personally involved).

And that's the crux of this book: British (not-so) secret Agent James Bond is chosen to go undercover to bankrupt Le Chiffre in gambling at the Casino Royale of the title.

THis Bond is also quite 'hard', more akin to the Bond of the Dalton or Craig era of the films than to that of (say) the Moore era or - my favourite - the Brosnan era. As the first novel in the series, this also highlights to Bond just how cold the spy game an be, with the inclusion of Vesper Lynd: one of only two female's in his (literary) life who have such an impact on him.

While the prose does flow well enough, and the novel is short enough not to out-stay it's welcome, it none-the-less failed to ignite any desire in me to hunt down any other of Ian Fleming's Bond novels: I'm not going to avoid them (or say no if I come across them), but neither I am going to actively hunt them out.

Kudos

Sarah (7800 KP) rated Happiness for Humans in Books

Jan 17, 2019

Happiness for Humans

P. Z. Reizin | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy

8.0

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

Bonkers, but hugely entertaining

My manager gave me this book to read, and I’m not entirely sure if she was trying to tell me something, or just trying to cheer me up. The situation the main character Jen finds herself in right at the start of this book is so similar to my own experience (right down to the name of her ex), that I couldn’t help but connect with this book. Admittedly I don’t have an AI named Aiden trying to sort out my romantic life, but maybe one day...

It’s not everyday you’d read a romantic comedy novel about AIs, but I’m pleased to say this is a highly entertaining read. It’s funny and has some great endearing and humanly flawed characters (even the AIs). The plot is bonkers, and gets even crazier towards the end, and you do have to suspend your disbelief at times. I did prefer the first half of the story, when it was mainly AI matchmaking rather than the darker (and crazier) side, but it was still all very enjoyable. Not one that’s going to win any literary prices, but still well written and very entertaining. I’m holding out now for my own personal matchmaker AI.