James Bond in the Adirondacks

Ian Fleming’s most unconventional novel is set in the Lake George region of the Adirondacks.

The Park Motel in Tupper Lake reminds us so much of Dreamy Pines Motor Court in the James Bond novel, "The Spy Who Loved Me" (minus the gangsters).

When most people think of James Bond, they picture Monte Carlo, London, or the Caribbean. Few realize that one of Ian Fleming's original 007 novels unfolds in the Adirondacks, with Lake George playing a starring role.

The novel "The Spy Who Loved Me" breaks the mold by setting its dramatic events in the serene and rugged wilderness of the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York.

This unique setting provides a fascinating backdrop and ties the globally iconic character of James Bond to an unexpected American locale. Fleming’s choice to tell the story from the first-person perspective of the main character, a woman, is also notable.

The forever-wild Adirondack Mountains provide the perfect setting for a different kind of Bond adventure.

On the first page of the novel, Fleming's lead character describes Lake George as "the famous American tourist resort in the Adirondacks."

"The Spy Who Loved Me" by Ian Fleming. Illustration by Fay Dalton. Image courtesy The Folio Society.

Ian Fleming set The Spy Who Loved Me near Lake George, drawing on his familiarity with the region and his fascination with American roadside motels. His connection to the Northeast dated to World War II, when his intelligence work took him to Montreal and Washington, D.C.

At the time, Route 9 was a major route between Montreal and New York City, passing through Lake George, Glens Falls, Saratoga, Albany, Poughkeepsie, and other communities along the way.

Fleming returned to the region in the 1950s while visiting his friend Ivar Bryce's farm. He said he occasionally stayed in a local motel and had "examined the Lake George area rather thoroughly." Those real-life surroundings helped him create the isolated roadside setting for the novel.

In a 1962 interview with the Long Island Star-Journal, Fleming said, "I come to the States about twice a year for one reason or another. I have friends in Vermont, and I sometimes drive up from New York to be with them for the Saratoga races."

An unconventional Bond, James Bond, visits Lake George.

First, you may think you know “The Spy Who Loved Me” from the 1977 film starring Roger Moore and Barbara Bach. That film has nothing to do with the novel of the same name, published in 1962.

"The Spy Who Loved Me" (the novel) stands out in the James Bond series for several reasons. Unlike the other Bond novels, this story is narrated from the first-person perspective of a woman, Vivienne Michel. Viv, a young Canadian woman, finds herself in a desperate situation while traveling across the United States.

She arrives in Lake George in early October on her way to Florida. To earn extra cash, she agrees to act as a temporary caretaker at Dreamy Pines Motor Court, a remote motel located outside Lake George Village.

James Bond in the Adirondack Wilderness.

Things turn dark when the motel’s managers leave her to close up the motel by herself on the last day of the season, and two brutal thugs, Sluggsy and Horror, arrive with sinister intentions.

[SPOILER ALERT] They intend to burn down the motel for insurance money and have no qualms about killing Vivienne to keep her quiet.

Bond to the rescue.

Just when all hope seems lost, James Bond appears on the scene. Having experienced a flat tire while passing by, Bond sees the motel lights and seeks aid and shelter. He immediately recognizes something is amiss and intervenes.

The narrative then unfolds with Bond using his characteristic wit and combat skills to outmaneuver and eliminate the threats posed by Sluggsy and Horror, saving Vivienne and exposing the criminal scheme.

The Dreamy Pines Motor Court, where most of the action takes place, is a small, isolated establishment near a lake that reflects the quiet, understated wilderness of the Adirondacks. The setting underscores Vivienne's vulnerability and isolation, making Bond's sudden arrival all the more dramatic.

Fleming's depiction of the Adirondacks offers readers a glimpse into this beautiful part of New York State. The wilderness and isolation create a suspenseful atmosphere different from Bond’s usual glamorous or urban settings. This shift highlights Fleming’s ability to adapt Bond’s adventures to various environments, showcasing the character's versatility.

Journey back to mid-century Americana.

Written in 1962, the novel also provides a view into mid-century travel in America. Bond and Viv (on a Vespa!) are both traveling from Canada south along Route 9. This was pre-Adirondack Northway (I-87), so two-lane Route 9 was the main North-South thoroughfare.

Some of the spots Viv references have a delightfully quirky vibe, but Fleming uses the actual names of attractions that were around at the time.

Take Gaslight Village, for example. Its appearance helps narrow the novel's Adirondack timeline, since the retro-themed amusement park didn't open until 1959.

Fleming also mentions the "costumed chimps" at Animal Land, another Route 9 attraction of the era.

And then there's Vivienne's strong aversion to Storytown, which she describes as a "terrifying babyland nightmare." The attraction opened in 1954 and quickly became a beloved Lake George landmark—and looms large in the happy memories of this writer's childhood.

The book also mentions other New York locales, like Albany, Schenectady, Glens Falls and Troy.

Lake George: Vacation Paradise of the 50s & 60s

For a fascinating look at the time when Lake George was America’s playground, don’t miss the outstanding exhibit at The Bolton Museum.

Go back in time.

Fleming's description of Dreamy Pines Motor Court is a bang-on portrayal of the many motels that were popular among travelers in the Adirondacks at that time. Motels were essentially an evolution of tourist cabins and cottages, combining individual units into a larger structure of connected rooms to save money.

One of the fun parts of the book is the early-60s slang used by the two thugs, Slugsy and Horror. Terms like “Yegg” (safecracker or burglar), “Button Man" (hitman or enforcer in the criminal world), “Biscuit” (attractive female derrière), “Hashtrap” (mouth), “Shamus” (private detective or police officer) and “Think-Pot” (head) are tossed about frequently. How and where Eton-educated Ian Fleming learned upstate New York thug jargon is a mystery.

The love/hate reaction to Fleming’s Adirondack novel.

"The Spy Who Loved Me" received mixed reviews upon its release. Some critics appreciated Fleming's attempt to innovate by exploring a different narrative style and focusing on a female perspective. However, others were less enthusiastic, opining that the lack of a traditional espionage plot and the unconventional setting strayed too far from the formula that made Bond famous.

Another cover for the James Bond in the Adirondacks novel.

Despite the mixed reception, the novel's unique qualities have earned it a special place within the Bond canon. It remains a fascinating exploration of Fleming’s creative range and willingness to experiment.

The decision to narrate the story through Vivienne Michel’s eyes and set it in an unlikely location like the Adirondacks challenges the usual expectations of a James Bond novel.

While not exactly “Fifty Shades of Grey,” the novel does have some spicy elements. And several book reviewers panned “The Spy Who Loved Me” as a trashy attempt at a romance novel.

Maybe because the reviewers were primarily male, and Viv’s partners, except for Mr. Bond, of course, were called out for their inept love-making skills. But what do we know?

Whether you're a James Bond aficionado or intrigued by the lesser-known locales of classic literature, "The Spy Who Loved Me" invites you to explore the unexpected intersections of high-stakes espionage and the tranquil wilderness of upstate New York.

So, the next time you find yourself cruising through the Adirondacks, you might imagine James Bond arriving at the Dreamy Pines Motor Court, ready to save the day.

Sources & Further Reading: This article draws in part on research from Literary 007 and “The James Bond Novel Set in the Adirondacks,” published by the New York Almanack.

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