Tildes Book Club Discussion - October 2026 - Dr. No by Ian Flemming

Finished it a month and a half ago, so it's not super fresh in my mind, but I enjoyed this book! My boyfriend is a bigger fan of the Bond movies than I am, but I've seen and enjoyed a fair few, including the Dr. No film.

One thing that surprised me in comparison to the films was that Bond kind of seemed like less of a pig in this. Not to say he wasn't a pig, but I think the interiority we get in the novel format gives a different perspective compared to his brash exterior. I think his view of Honey as esentially a child initially and coming to see her as mature and only sleeping with her afterwards is still a bit uncomfortable, but it's difficult to imagine Connery's Bond as even having second thoughts about whether to sleep with a 20 year old, so there's a bit of a contrast there.

As far as Honey Rider herself, I liked her a lot! Bond treated her like a child, but I felt she was written as a capable individual and was well characterized throughout the novel. One thing that was a bit comical was the focus on her broken nose, her insecurity about it makes sense but it's painted as like this huge obvious flaw! I think people cared more about noses in the 20th century but I feel like I've never seen a nose, broken or otherwise, that made someone ugly? Idk, maybe others have different experiences.

I also liked Quarrel a lot, I think the patois dialogue can certainly come across as offensive but I enjoyed his dynamic with Bond. Live and Let Die is one of my favorite of the movies, and since Quarrel appears in that book as well it is one I think will be worth checking out.

I already mentioned the interiority of Bond, and I think that's one of the strongest parts of the novel. I like the slower and more introspective moments, there's a particular part where Bond is laying in the boat looking at the stars, and that's something that doesn't really translate well to a fast paced action movie. I also like the more procedural parts where it's focused on him doing his investigation, makes him seem more like a competent secret agent.

There was a Raymond Chandler blurb on the back of my copy, and I think that's appropriate since my experience with this reminds me of his books, well done prose with a strong plot focus, although obviously a little more action oriented. Overall, it was an enjoyable book and I am definitely convinced it's worth reading more Fleming!

How do I get added to this? I would’ve read it

I'm finally out of the Stormlight Archive mines, having dedicated most of 2026 to that series. I'm glad that I finished in time for our final book pick, at least for our most recent selection.

I've only read Casino Royale previously, which is the first in the book series. So we're jumping ahead slightly in the timeline here.

I enjoyed the book. It was well-paced, neatly written, and offered exactly the spy thriller I was hoping for.

As compared to the movies, I found Bond a much more compelling character when we have insights into his thoughts. He's still suave as ever, but we can also see his uncertainties and fears. He weighs odds and takes chances, knowing they won't always work out. It feels much more plausible and realistic than the on-screen depictions that turn him into a smooth talking superhero.

Ethically, he's a lighter shade of grey than I was expecting. He can still be gruff, stuffy, and sexist, but he also cares about people and wants to treat them well. He's willing to kill, but needs a good reason for it. We even see remorse and self-reflection, as with his worry over getting Honey into trouble, or his snide remark to M in the conclusion. He's far from the antihero I imagine.

Dr. No also made for a great villain. He very much fits the archetype of what we now call a "Bond villain": brilliant, ruthless, and capable. I'm glad he was given backstory that explained his wealth and isolationism, and a grand plan that actually made sense. It's interesting to think about how differently this plot might have been read in the 1950s, when missiles were at the forefront of military strategy.

The book strikes a nice balance between tension and relief. There would often be a cool down scene after an action sequence, giving the impact of those moments time to breathe.

One chapter that managed to be both tense and calm was the dinner invitation in front of the underwater glass window. I loved the dialogue as they were eating congenially together, both knowly plotting to kill the other as they talked.

I found the meal choices interesting, too. With all the fatty foods like grilled kidney and pork sausage, plus ungodly amounts of alcohol and smoking, it's a wonder Bond is able to pull off his feats.

The final obstacle course was rather gruesome. I liked how in those torturous moments, Bond was written to disconnect from his body and to see the world in a mechanical way. Judging distances, energy reserves, and expected animal behaviours as a scientist might. While physical fitness and skill were required to succeed, mind over matter also played a major role in his escape.

Then there's the matter of The Girl. Initially, I found Honey Rider's character to be overly sexualized and infantilized. Coming across a beautiful naked girl on the beach, then being forced to rub bodies together to dig holes in the sand? It's pure fantasy writing, right?

I dismissed it as dated and just a sign of the times, as with some other language use in the book. On this matter though, I was wrong. Bond was wrong too, as it turns out. Honey was an extremely capable character, and while naive in some matters, she proved herself to be as capable as anyone else. She was as carnal as he, and as driven. I came to really appreciate her character in the end.

So I enjoyed this book. It made for an easy read, and I can imagine somebody tearing through the series to find what happens next on Bond's adventures. I'm interested in watching the film adaption again, to see how closely the details match.