The Golden TypewriterWhere should I start with Ian Fleming?
Start with Casino Royale, the first Bond novel, and carry on in publication order. If you would rather dip in, the picks below suit different readers.
Casino Royale
It is the first book, it is short, and it introduces the people who recur for the rest of the series.
You know the films and want that feelDr. No
The first Bond film was based on it, so it is a good bridge. Goldfinger is another option; both skip some of Bond's early development.
You want something shortFor Your Eyes Only
Five separate stories, so you can stop after one. Casino Royale is also one of the shorter novels.
You prefer to listenCasino Royale
Richard Armitage reads the 2025 recording, and Moonraker is read by Alex Kingston. Play the sample on each Audible page to hear the voice first.
You are reading with a childChitty Chitty Bang Bang
Fleming's only children's book, and nothing to do with Bond. David Tennant reads the audiobook.
You are curious about Fleming himselfThrilling Cities
His own travel journalism, full of the tastes and opinions that fed the novels.
Which book should I avoid starting with?
You Only Live Twice and The Man with the Golden Gun depend on earlier books. The Spy Who Loved Me is short, but it is deliberately unlike a typical Bond book, so it works better once you know the usual pattern.
Are the Bond books suitable for teenagers?
They are adult novels, with violence, sexual content and prejudiced language of their time. Our content and age guide covers each book so you can decide.
These suggestions are our opinion, based on the order and content of the books.