Even though Dr. No was dreadfully intolerant by today’s standards, had next to no real plot, and neglected to include any substantial characterization, I couldn’t put it down.

James Bond is confident, capable, cocky, rather sexist, and perhaps even racist in Dr. No, but the prose is written at such a fast pace, Fleming concocted such a ludicrous villain in Dr. No, and Bond prevailed in such “manly” manners, it’s  hard not to get engrossed in it all. 

Dr. No is a brisk, leisurely read that entertains and quickens the pulse.  I didn’t find Fleming’s writing style terribly adept, but the man knew how to hook a reader, and in the end, some would say that’s all that matters.