Dr. No

Dr. No (sometimes published as Doctor No) is the sixth James Bond novel by Ian Fleming, originally published in 1958. The novel was adapted as the first official James Bond film in 1962. The film was produced by Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman with Sean Connery in the first of six official appearances (1 unofficial) playing the role of British Secret Service agent, Commander James Bond.

The novel

The novel marks the first time a number of James Bond signature elements are used. It's the first novel in which Bond uses his signature Walther PPK handgun and also the first time Major Boothroyd (a.k.a. Q, the armourer) appears, although Bond's first gadget was in the previous novel, From Russia With Love.

Related Topics:
Walther PPK - Major Boothroyd - From Russia With Love

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The plot of the novel and the film are very similar, only differing when elements from the previous novels are referenced, primarily From Russia With Love and Live and Let Die.

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Plot summary

From Russia With Love ended in a cliffhanger with the status of James Bond unknown. Bond was poisoned by SMERSH agent Rosa Klebb and collapsed at the end of the novel. In Dr. No M learns from MI6's neurologist that the poison was tetrodotoxin found in the Japanese fish fugu. Tetrodotoxin paralyses the muscles of the victim while they stay fully conscious until eventually they die from asphyxiation. Bond is saved by a doctor who had spent time in Africa and had dealt with various poisons. He diagnoses curare poisoning and treats Bond accordingly. Even to date, there is no current antidote and the chances of survival are very slim.

Related Topics:
SMERSH - Rosa Klebb - M - MI6 - Tetrodotoxin - Japanese - Fugu - Asphyxiation - Africa - Curare

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Nonetheless, Bond survives. When he returns to duty, he is sent by M on a "rest cure" to Jamaica to investigate the disappearance of Strangways, the head of station in Kingston, who had previously appeared in Live and Let Die. He learns that Strangways had been investigating the activities of Dr. Julius No, a Chinese-German who lives on a island called "Crab_Key" that is said to be the home of a vicious dragon.

Related Topics:
Jamaica - Dr. Julius No - Crab_Key

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With help of the returning character, Quarrel (previously in Live and Let Die), as well as the beautiful Honeychile Rider, who visits the island to collect valuable shells, Bond discovers that Dr. No, who ostensibly operates a business harvesting and exporting guano, is in fact working with the Russians. They have supplied him with several million dollars worth of equipment to sabotage nearby American missile tests. Bond and Honey are captured by Dr. No, but Quarrel is burned to death. Doctor No's speciality is torture and he tortures Bond to discovers his powers of endurance. But Bond survives, rescues Honey and kills Doctor No.

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Comic strip adaptation

Fleming's novel was adapted as a daily comic strip published in the British Daily Express newspaper and syndicated worldwide. The adaptation ran from May 23 to October 1, 1960. The adaptation was written by Peter O'Donnell (later the creator of Modesty Blaise) and illustrated by John McLusky. The James Bond 007 Fan Club published a reprint of the strip in 1981. Dr. No was reprinted in 2005 by Titan Books as part of the Dr. No anthology that also includes Diamonds Are Forever and From Russia With Love.

Related Topics:
Comic strip - Daily Express - May 23 - October 1 - 1960 - Peter O'Donnell - Modesty Blaise - John McLusky - 1981 - Titan Books - Diamonds Are Forever - From Russia With Love

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