I deliberately separate the James Bond movies from the novels. After discovering the Bond movies in the mid-1990s and later reading all Fleming and some Raymond Benson, I initially enjoyed drawing connections between page and screen. Over time, though, I’ve found that treating them as distinct works leads to a more satisfying experience, especially as a movie-first fan. Constant comparison only invites unmet expectations, and while literary cross-references can be interesting, they often feel more like homework than enjoyment. The movies are best judged on their own terms, as standalone works of art, in my opinion.