Very much enjoyed From Russia with Love and this despite the fact that James Bond is a thoroughly dislikable character. In fact, I'd say his general unpleasantness adds to the readability of the novel since it adds an unexpected dimension in that the protagonist is the sort of chap who sets one's teeth on edge. I suppose Fleming must have identified with his hero, yet I suspect there was a lot more to the writer than his despicable fictional alter ego. There's just too much that's really first rate in the writing for him to be as shabby and superficial as Bond.
The descriptions of various districts of Istanbul in the 1950s, for example, and the wonderful evocation of travelling on the Orient Express. I found myself deliberately slowing the pace of my reading to savour the evocation of atmosphere. Yet Fleming also keeps the suspense humming as the reader wonders how exactly will the dastardly Russian plot against Bond play out and how will Tatiana be used against him. It's very clever how this is held back until the last four chapters and then plays out at lightening speed.
Of course, the novel is supremely un-woke, but one thing I'll say for Fleming. On the rare occasions he writes from a female perspective he does so with some success. In the opening chapter he adopts the perspective of the unnamed masseuse with respect for her generosity of spirit and the danger she senses she could be in and, much more strikingly, his portrait of the life of Tatiana when we first meet in the novel has a genuine inwardness and concern for a well-rounded character. It's a pity Fleming didn't choose to give us more of her perspective as the novel developed.
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