I remember reading ‘Dr No’ and ‘Casino Royale’ in my early 20s, and I wondered what it would be like trying to read a James Bond book these days given all of the social awareness that’s developed (and maybe regressed?) over the last couple of decades, let alone 70 years. I’m quite surprised that ‘From Russia With Love’ had any redeemable qualities whatsoever. Fleming is really good at describing environments and people’s appearances. At times he gets carried away and becomes a bit too descriptive, but he really grounds the reader in the setting. There were even some genuine instances of tension, particularly near the end. The plot is ridiculous, but the incidental moments are what make it so readable.

The big drawbacks - and they are big - are the near constant expressions of sexism and racism. It almost feels unforgivable even for the 1950s when this was written, particularly the not-so-thinly veiled advocacy (or at least acceptance) of sexual assault and domestic violence. I’d totally understand if someone couldn’t read this based on those elements alone.

Most characters are pretty one-dimensional, but there are surprising examples of Bond’s introspection that you don’t really get in the films. He gets nervous, frustrated and has doubts; these are not traits usually associated with the film character. By the end, I felt really in a groove with the writing. Dare I say I may read another one? I hear ‘Moonraker’ is good. 🚀

I sometimes cast the net a little too wide in my reading escapades so this is more of a note-to-self than an actual helpful review. I'd like to revisit my year in books in 2026 and remind myself why I read the things I read and what I thought of them at the time.

With that in mind, lowkey hope it's not weird I enjoyed one of JFK's all time faves, man had issues and created some too, but you know what, that's some good taste in spy novels and I did read it twice for the thrills. That is only if you can split yourself in two and separate the subject matter of women from the actual spy stuff. Also aware there's this whole semi-controversial debate about accurate and realistic espionage novels - looking at you 'Bond vs Smiley' reddit page, I have visited thee - but if it does come up in a pub quiz, oh what have you in common with JFK, I can say... From Russia, With Love. Does that matter to anyone? N... nah. I did just realise I probably made this political without meaning to, given the history. Oups, redirect; you have to go into it for the pizzazz, the high jinks, the stunts, the wow moments and the descriptions of lady killers as a 'wet trap of a mouth, that went on opening and shutting as if it was operated by wires... had the same pale, thick chicken's skin that scragged in little folds under the eyes and at the corners of the mouth and below the jaws, the same big peasant's ears... tight hard dimpled fists like knobkerries tightly clenched... on either side of the big bundle of bosom... this dreadful woman of SMEEEEEEERSH' and scene . Very easy to see why it was so smoothly adapted into film, the writing alone does lend itself to screen, never mind the action. Also, very easy to take it all a little too seriously and see the story as an accurate depiction of its time and contend with the casual misogyny and constant violence against women duped into serving their country by serving ass, for lack of a better word. See it like that, you have lost the plot, my friend. On one or two occasions, when I read the word 'rape' being casually thrown around to mean 'oh, just a rough tumble', 'oh, fierce love-making', 'oh, this is how you teach them'... I could go on... I felt extremely revolted and unsure if these were the uncultured, rough views of the characters or the clandestine and criminal views of Mister Eaton-educated Fleming. Read a review at some point that suggested to 'laugh at the sexism instead of fume about it' and it cannot be truer, if you want to take away anything remotely action-based or thrilling from this novel you might as well read the sexism, racism, homophobia and misogyny as a sort of comical satirical sketch. I see it as the fictional representation of an alternate spy universe where women, for Fleming reasons, ask to be spanked if they get fat, crickets. Gurl. I think in his mind, he was probably enacting some, erm, intimate and violent concepts under the guise of Bond, man of England, man of the people, panty snatcher, woo hoo, can do no wrong. What the hell, in short, I am acknowledging the flaws while also enjoying the overall gratuitous fictionalised universe of the... uncultured in the ways of women. It remains a decent three stars because as a modern female-identifying individual, I cannot turn a blind eye that easily. That's it. That's the note.

PS: If JFK loved Bond's character then that says a fair bit about the affairs. You nasty. I'll tell you who needs a spanking or to be kept naked and starving under a table, biatch.