Publication
Penguin Audiobooks (2002)
Original publication date
1958-03-31
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Description
Fiction. Thriller. HTML: M calls this case a "soft option." He sends Bond to Jamaica to investigate the disappearance of the head of the Kingston station. Jamaica is luxurious, and the seductive Honey Rider is beautiful and willing�??but they are both part of the empire of Doctor No. Bond discovers that Doctor No is working with the Russians, who have supplied him with several million dollars' worth of equipment to sabotage nearby American missile tests with strange energy waves. The doctor is a worthy adversary, with a mind as hard and cold as his solid steel hands and an obsession for power. During the course of his mission Bond must battle deadly assassins, sexy femmes fatales, and even a poisonous tarantula.
User reviews
LibraryThing member richardderus
Rating: 4* of five
Again rating the film from 1962. Cannot read the books, they haven't aged at all well. This book's focus on loyalty was presented in an unpleasant, torture-pornish way that I found ghastly.
And in so many ways, neither has the film. Ursula Andress, the most-remembered woman in the
I found myself drooling over the decor. (Hey, the story's ridiculous and the effects are risible, had to look at something!) Midcentury Modern for days! Gorgeous copper-plated doors and beautiful leather-upholstered walls! OOO AAAH. Bond driving that adorable Sunbeam convertible was fun for me too...and the tank with fins! Ha!
So yeah, I give it four camp-stars and enjoy it for what it now is: the birth of a cultural phenomenon, interesting more for what it says about our progress than for any intrinsic merits it has.
Again rating the film from 1962. Cannot read the books, they haven't aged at all well. This book's focus on loyalty was presented in an unpleasant, torture-pornish way that I found ghastly.
And in so many ways, neither has the film. Ursula Andress, the most-remembered woman in the
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cast, plays Honey Ryder (!), and she is the last of three women to find 32-year-old Connery irresistible. (Well DUH.) But her role as eye candy for the straight boys is all she does. Her emergence from the sea in what was for the day a teensy bikini, but for today's audiences might as well be a burqa, led to the current Bond iteration's scene with Halle Berry splashing up out of the sea in, basically, nothin' much. How things have changed in 50 years.I found myself drooling over the decor. (Hey, the story's ridiculous and the effects are risible, had to look at something!) Midcentury Modern for days! Gorgeous copper-plated doors and beautiful leather-upholstered walls! OOO AAAH. Bond driving that adorable Sunbeam convertible was fun for me too...and the tank with fins! Ha!
So yeah, I give it four camp-stars and enjoy it for what it now is: the birth of a cultural phenomenon, interesting more for what it says about our progress than for any intrinsic merits it has.
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LibraryThing member BooksForDinner
The second of two Bond books I read on the beach in Cancun over the holidays this year. Sadism and over the top racism carry the day here. The dialogue seemed a bit better than usual in this one, however, and Honey Rider has to be at the top of any Bond girl list. I think it's important to remember
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that these books were written in the 1950s and they were pretty groundbreaking at the time, so comparing them to modern espionage fiction in likely unfair (though you can put early LeCarre up against anything today and it cuts them to shreds). Much fun as always! Show Less
LibraryThing member benuathanasia
lol. I love M. He treats Bond like a petulant kindergartner (which he really is). Looks like James is off to another tropical "vacation" for his "health."
Wow...just wow. Worst evil villain plan ever. I mean, I get that money is money, but No is trying to protect a fortune built on bird-sh!t?
Wow...just wow. Worst evil villain plan ever. I mean, I get that money is money, but No is trying to protect a fortune built on bird-sh!t?
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Boring Bond girl, as well. Oh well. It's still good, stupid fun. Show Less
LibraryThing member DarthDeverell
Doctor No, the sixth of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels, served as the basis for the first film with Sean Connery. Fleming's writing is indicative of many adventure novels from the 1920s through 1950s, though this 1958 book features a rampantly imperialist perspective, with Bond, a British spy,
The 1962 film does a better job setting up Doctor No's motivations and establishing him as a threat, while Fleming only brings up No's ability to alter the course of missiles as a bit of throwaway dialogue toward the end. Similarly, while the Bond of the movies always appears in control of a situation, the one in this novel is a character to whom things happen, provoking a response, rather than one who drives the action. In this way, Fleming's writing resembles that of Edgar Rice Burroughs, who's John Carter was characterized in much the same manner.
Fleming's Doctor No certainly holds significance in the annals of popular culture and deserves a read from those interested in the history of pop culture or of Cold War-era fiction. With that in mind, the novel is very much a product of its time, reflecting all of the attitudes about race and gender that existed then. The story, though interesting, is quite dated and does not hold up to the passage of time in the same manner as the film, which has its own problems.
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viewing the locals of Jamaica, a current colony that would not gain independence for four more years, as little more than backward children. As though that were not bad enough, Fleming's portrayal of the Chinese betrays an antiquated Westerner's racial distrust of the "exotic" East. For a story about a spy, Bond spends surprisingly little time concerned about global politics and the ramifications of Doctor No's plans, with the story instead featuring a certain wistfulness for Britain's former supremacy in the days of a waning empire.The 1962 film does a better job setting up Doctor No's motivations and establishing him as a threat, while Fleming only brings up No's ability to alter the course of missiles as a bit of throwaway dialogue toward the end. Similarly, while the Bond of the movies always appears in control of a situation, the one in this novel is a character to whom things happen, provoking a response, rather than one who drives the action. In this way, Fleming's writing resembles that of Edgar Rice Burroughs, who's John Carter was characterized in much the same manner.
Fleming's Doctor No certainly holds significance in the annals of popular culture and deserves a read from those interested in the history of pop culture or of Cold War-era fiction. With that in mind, the novel is very much a product of its time, reflecting all of the attitudes about race and gender that existed then. The story, though interesting, is quite dated and does not hold up to the passage of time in the same manner as the film, which has its own problems.
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LibraryThing member PhillipThomas
Like most of Fleming's Bond novels, Dr No is a simple and straight spy action story - no distractions from twists, sub-plots or overly complex characters.
His books are a product of the times - the cold war 1950s when the world was a very different place.
An enjoyable read.
His books are a product of the times - the cold war 1950s when the world was a very different place.
An enjoyable read.
LibraryThing member cinesnail88
I only have one real important thought about this one, and that is:
Really, Fleming, Honeychile? You could've done better...
That aside, this was another great edition to what I have so far read of the 007 series. I did have a bit of a complaint about how slowly it took for things to happen, as if
I did love the villain in this though - yes, of course, Dr. No. He was highly bizarre, and endlessly entertaining. Equally as much as Sir Hugo Drax from Moonraker, who I had a similar fascination with. The girl was allright, and M's behavior in the beginning was absolutely wonderful.
Really, Fleming, Honeychile? You could've done better...
That aside, this was another great edition to what I have so far read of the 007 series. I did have a bit of a complaint about how slowly it took for things to happen, as if
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there was a bit of feet dragging in the beginning. Funnily enough, the last time Bond was in Jamaica (Live and Let Die) I had that same complaint. Maybe I have something against his Jamaican adventures.I did love the villain in this though - yes, of course, Dr. No. He was highly bizarre, and endlessly entertaining. Equally as much as Sir Hugo Drax from Moonraker, who I had a similar fascination with. The girl was allright, and M's behavior in the beginning was absolutely wonderful.
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LibraryThing member alanteder
This is yet another winner in the James Bond celebrity performances series of audiobooks which has the Ian Fleming originals read by different theatrical and screen actors.
Hugh Quarshie is the narrator for Dr. No which was the 6th in the original series but the first of the big screen film
Highly recommended if you want to revisit the original series, which is much more down-to-earth than the antics of the later films would suggest.
Hugh Quarshie is the narrator for Dr. No which was the 6th in the original series but the first of the big screen film
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appearances. Quarshie is a UK-based stage and screen actor and is a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. He does an excellent job on all of the various accents and voices required here, particularly bringing Bond's allies Cayman Islander Quarrel and Jamaican Honeychile Rider to audio life. Of course he gets to be both James Bond as well as megalomaniacal foe Dr. No also.Highly recommended if you want to revisit the original series, which is much more down-to-earth than the antics of the later films would suggest.
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LibraryThing member DuffDaddy
Bond is back in another outstanding, hard-to-put-down thriller. Much better than FRWL. Bond is sent to Jamaica to convelesce after his poisioning in the last novel. While there, he investigates a mysterious guana producing island run by Dr. No. He finds that Dr. No is running a missle jamming
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station for the Russian to thwart US missle launches. With the help of Quarrle (last seen in LALD, and who dies in this book) and Honeychile Rider, he is able to stop the bad guy under a big pile of bird poop! Show Less
LibraryThing member Bridgey
Bonds 6th outing, and in my opinion the best so far. M thinks that Bond is in need of an easy case that could double up as a holiday and sends him to Jamaica in order to investigate the disappearance of Strangways and his secretary. To many people it appears to be an open and shut case with the
Bond’s instincts soon lead him onto Dr Julius No and his guano mining business on Crabkey Island. There has been a number of strange deaths on the island, including 2 representatives of the National Audubon Society. Accompanied with Quarrel he sets off see what secrets No has been hiding.
I have been reading the Bond novels in order and so far this one has impressed me the most (probably why the film remained so faithful to the novel). I really wanted to give the book 5 stars but for me there were three issues that I had with the book.....
Firstly, From Russia with Love had a very dramatic ending with Bond's life hanging in the balance. I was very disappointed that this plot wasn't really continued in Doctor No, it just seems have been glossed over.
Secondly Quarrel's speech really starting to grate on me. I know Fleming was trying to add authenticity to the character but I hate it when authors write in an accent. I know he is Jamaican but really don't need to decipher what he is saying every few lines.
Thirdly the ending, for me, was just way over the top. Not Dr No's demise but Bond's final struggle (I won't say what as I found it quite a surprise) just didn't seem inline with the rest of the books gritty realism.
Easily recommendable book, which although is similar to the film there are more than enough differences to keep the reader engaged.
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assumption of a love affair and elopement being the cause of their absence. Bond, however, is not convinced that this is the case.Bond’s instincts soon lead him onto Dr Julius No and his guano mining business on Crabkey Island. There has been a number of strange deaths on the island, including 2 representatives of the National Audubon Society. Accompanied with Quarrel he sets off see what secrets No has been hiding.
I have been reading the Bond novels in order and so far this one has impressed me the most (probably why the film remained so faithful to the novel). I really wanted to give the book 5 stars but for me there were three issues that I had with the book.....
Firstly, From Russia with Love had a very dramatic ending with Bond's life hanging in the balance. I was very disappointed that this plot wasn't really continued in Doctor No, it just seems have been glossed over.
Secondly Quarrel's speech really starting to grate on me. I know Fleming was trying to add authenticity to the character but I hate it when authors write in an accent. I know he is Jamaican but really don't need to decipher what he is saying every few lines.
Thirdly the ending, for me, was just way over the top. Not Dr No's demise but Bond's final struggle (I won't say what as I found it quite a surprise) just didn't seem inline with the rest of the books gritty realism.
Easily recommendable book, which although is similar to the film there are more than enough differences to keep the reader engaged.
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LibraryThing member Traveller1
Another Bond book down, a few more to go—they are like peanuts. This book is both fun and silly. The racist element is all the more apparent, and the vapid, cliche of a heroine recalls the worst of my own adolescent fantasies. The Dr No character seems unbelievably foolish—the king of a bird
The fun, the fun is the vapid girl, the giant squid and the general silliness of the novel. Bond being told his gun is a 'ladies' gun haha. As others have said here, it seems almost as if Fleming was growing tired of his own creation? Not the best of the Bond novels, but good for a smile and laugh. Don't take it seriously, but you could say that about them all.
One item of note, Fleming seems to criticise smoking. In one brief phrase he links cigarettes and cancer. Was F aware of his own death at this time?
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shit island who wants to take over the world, and performs meaningless 'experiments' involving giant squids on wayward visitors? ummmThe fun, the fun is the vapid girl, the giant squid and the general silliness of the novel. Bond being told his gun is a 'ladies' gun haha. As others have said here, it seems almost as if Fleming was growing tired of his own creation? Not the best of the Bond novels, but good for a smile and laugh. Don't take it seriously, but you could say that about them all.
One item of note, Fleming seems to criticise smoking. In one brief phrase he links cigarettes and cancer. Was F aware of his own death at this time?
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LibraryThing member comfypants
Remarkable depths of racism. Only two or three chapters have any excitement.
LibraryThing member JBreedlove
Another Bond book that shows so much more than the cartoonish movies. James Craig appears more Bondish than Connery. So much more real in the books.
LibraryThing member Prop2gether
James Bond in print is a lot more interesting than James Bond on celluloid! I'm having more fun reading the books than in debating who's the best (or worst) screen Bond, and this next-in-order is an excellent example of why that would be so. It's fast, entertaining, and my oh my, James is not
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supermanically capable--just really smart and clever. I liked this one. Show Less
LibraryThing member polarbear123
Bond returns after his run in with Rosa Klebb and we are straight into the action with this one. The pace is good ans there is plenty of danger - Dr No is certainly bizarre but his plans seem a bit confused to be honest for a super villain! Comparing it to the film one thing stands out above all
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els - Ursula Andress was a confident Honey Rider however in the book I found Honey to be quite annoying and simpering - a bit of fluff really and not much of a bond girl. That aside it is definitely worht a read - perhaps the second half is not so good as the first though. Show Less
LibraryThing member tyroeternal
Following the Bond series has been enjoyable largely because Fleming's writing is quick and entertainingly descriptive. Doctor No made for an interesting villain and had me flying through pages to see how Bond would transcend all odds to stay alive and save the girl.
LibraryThing member ptdilloway
It's an exciting read that's good enough if you can ignore the 1950s casual racism. Probably the first book I've read where someone is killed with a pile of bird crap.
There are some problems with the Kindle formatting where some characters apparently imported as something like #xm2013! or whatever.
There are some problems with the Kindle formatting where some characters apparently imported as something like #xm2013! or whatever.
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It's kind of annoying. Someone ought to go through to do an edit like I do with my books. Show Less
LibraryThing member rpuchalsky
Who knew that the forbidding Doctor No was rich because of ... guano? And that James Bond was originally called to go after him because he made the mistake of knocking off two agents of the National Audubon Society? That cognitive dissonance, after picking it up casually, started me off reading the
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Bond books. After most of them, I think that this is one of the best. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookswamp
Bond No. 6, 1958; Again set in Jamaica, "Honeychile Rider" the naive shell diver (in the movie Ursula Andress with her famous bikini - the original Honeychild didn't really bother with bikinis when "working") who helps in solving the bloody mysteries of Dr. No's Island...
LibraryThing member FKarr
The clunkiest, most wooden dialogue and descriptions I can remember reading. Implausible & impossible all too often.
LibraryThing member clq
If I had to sum up this book in one sentence it would probably be: "Wait... what...?"
Not only does the plot seem to be made up of scraps of paper picked from the Big Hat Of Ideas Too Fantastical To Be Permissible In Non-Fantasy Literature, but the way they are tied together seems so incredibly
I know that this is a Bond book, and my expectations of these books are... well, what anyone would expect. Still... this seems like a parody of the series rather than a part of it.
This could all be fine though! Give me an exciting, fast-paced, thriller with gadgets and excitement and suspense and drama, and I'll forgive just about anything. This book doesn't even have that. The first chapter is good, there's a few good pages featuring a scorpion, and there is a chapter towards the end which is at least somewhat exciting. Otherwise Doctor No manages to be formulaic and boring while also being unbelievably far-fetched.
I will, of course, be reading the rest of the Bond-books in spite of this one. I did really enjoy Casino Royale, and I'm still holding out hope of finding at least one more Bond book I enjoy as much.
Not only does the plot seem to be made up of scraps of paper picked from the Big Hat Of Ideas Too Fantastical To Be Permissible In Non-Fantasy Literature, but the way they are tied together seems so incredibly
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contrived that I find it hard to believe it's unintentional.I know that this is a Bond book, and my expectations of these books are... well, what anyone would expect. Still... this seems like a parody of the series rather than a part of it.
This could all be fine though! Give me an exciting, fast-paced, thriller with gadgets and excitement and suspense and drama, and I'll forgive just about anything. This book doesn't even have that. The first chapter is good, there's a few good pages featuring a scorpion, and there is a chapter towards the end which is at least somewhat exciting. Otherwise Doctor No manages to be formulaic and boring while also being unbelievably far-fetched.
I will, of course, be reading the rest of the Bond-books in spite of this one. I did really enjoy Casino Royale, and I'm still holding out hope of finding at least one more Bond book I enjoy as much.
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LibraryThing member leslie.98
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!
LibraryThing member antiquary
Bind is sent to Jamaica to look into the disappearance of two people --it is supposed to be an easy job, but brings him afoul of Dr. No.
LibraryThing member drneutron
My second favorite Bond book (after On Her Majesty's Secret Service). Highly recommended.
LibraryThing member leslie.98
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!
LibraryThing member Stahl-Ricco
To no one’s surprise, Bond survived the poisoning he suffered at the end of the previous novel! Now he’s off to Jamaica on a “rest cure” for M. Some rest!
This is the book in which 007 gets his Walther PPK! No more Beretta - M’s orders. And Bond’s enemy is one Dr. No, “Doctor Julius
I really enjoyed rereading this book and found it just as entertaining as I remembered! The part where the centipede crawls up Bond’s body as he lies in bed made MY hair stand on end! Nicely detailed!
On a side note, I listened to four songs mentioned in this book and liked them all!
This is the book in which 007 gets his Walther PPK! No more Beretta - M’s orders. And Bond’s enemy is one Dr. No, “Doctor Julius
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No, the German Chinese who owned Crab Key and made his money out of guano.”I really enjoyed rereading this book and found it just as entertaining as I remembered! The part where the centipede crawls up Bond’s body as he lies in bed made MY hair stand on end! Nicely detailed!
On a side note, I listened to four songs mentioned in this book and liked them all!
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Language
Original language
English
ISBN
9780141804156
Physical description
4.96 inches