The Bourne Identity
£1.00
Not for me - I am probably one of the few people in the entire world that didn t like this book. I found the first part really well paced and exciting although it was tedious at times and over steps the mark on gritiness and violence. When Ludlum constantly shows Bournes thoughts in italics it just becomes extremly annoying for some reason. Then characters speak in French half the time and you have know idea what s being said or whats going on. I no the whole idea of the book is that you find out more as you go along, but by the time i got to the middle i was too bored, confused and fustrated to read any further. This is just my opinion, probably because i like less complex stories where the authors get straight to the point. Rather than waste time describing the history of places, which i end up scanning through anyway. The description can some times be a little too much at times and again i found myself scanning through this because it went on too long and i wanted to reach some dialogue. This certainly wasn t for me but i no many others love it. I just found it too ploddy, tedious, complex and boring. So i never actually finished it. Dissapointing compared to the brilliant film.
This book is essential if you love espionage novels - I think that the book is superior to the film and am AMAZED that some other reviewers have commented otherwise (notably those I see who saw the film first and thus perhaps read the book impatiently, KNOWING, the plot and outcome. I read this book 20 years ago and it is still, to this day, a book I highly regard amongst the plethera of books I have read in the meantime. I was skeptical when Damon was cast as Bourne as, at that time, I thought him too lightweight. HOWEVER, I did go to see the movie and have to say he was brilliant and I loved him and he isn t lightweight at all.For those unfamiliar with the book and movie, this is the first in a trilogy of books/now movies about an American citizen of unknown name seeking his identity after being washed up from the ocean in Europe, with no memory.I would recommend to anyone to read the book first THEN see the movie and really enjoy both of them. Exotic locations and excellent story feature in both, exotic locations are lovely to see on the DVD and the story is obviously better portrayed in the book. I ve read some reviews that think the book is heavy going, well I can t say I agree with that (and I HATE heavy going literature stuff). Having said that, it obviously is t a light read like a fluffy romance. I think it has balance and depth and portrays characters with dimension and a storyline worth following. It DOES read well in that it flows and isn t dull or monotonous.I personally love a lot of Ludlums work, particularly the early stuff, and am always looking for similar styles. I have recently enjoyed both Stephen Leather and Daniel Silva s work as I love the spy and espionage stuff and they deliver both with excellent, easy reading writing styles. I have to say I m amazed that both they and Ludlum haven t received more reviews (as I always consider number of reviews as well as ratings). Perhaps us spy enthusiasts are pre-historic beasts?
Excellent thriller for a holiday read - This is a great book from the start, it is by far the best of the trilogy. The next book is a bit slow but the third one better. Although a daunting size it keeps you turning the pages. The plot is quite realistic and could happen in real life where as book 2 and 3 are purely in fantasy land. Clever and well thought out, but not don t expect anything intellectual. You probably need to read this within a week or two on holiday to keep up with the turns and twists. The film only just touches the basic idea of the book and has no depth.
What a great read - What a great read, it had me hooked from the out set. it did drag a little part way through but plenty of action to follow was kept in going. A well written book, thank you.
The Master at his peak........ - Robert Ludlum had been writing successful thrillers for 9 years by the time he published The Bourne Identity in 1980 and this was the book that propelled him to the top of the fiction bestseller lists with each new novel for the next 15 years. In fact during the 80 s he was the worlds bestselling author.This is one of my favourite novels, a book that I reread every 5 years or so. It is so original. The opening grips you and you have to hang on for the next 500 odd pages.The set pieces are excellent, especially the section in Zurich from Bourne s visit to the bank through to his escape from the city. The plotting gets more and more convoluted as Bourne makes it to Paris, images of the past flashing in his amniesiac head, assassins attempting to end his life at every turn.Ludlum had an eye for detail, in particular locations and he loved to set his thrillers in European cities, one of the reasons why this American author had a huge readership throughout the world.The pace never lets up, you have to hang on to the ride.. This was Robert Ludlum at his unstoppable best.........