Rating: 
Summary: Good, quick, fun read.
Review: If you want an action story with all the surprise bells and whistles then here you go. The Bourne Identity is a good story as a book. The Bourne Identity is a good story as a movie; don't confuse the two, they are very different. That said, check 'em out but don't bash one because it's unlike the other; movies and books will never run on the same tracks.
Rating: 
Summary: Whoever said the movie was great didn't read the book
Review: I was encouraged to read the Bourne Identity due to my mother's persuassion and my love of spy novels. Of course, I was eager to try a new author since I had read at least twelve of John Grisham's in a row and was needing a break from the lawyer frenzy. In the midst I found myself caught up in the unusual twists and the unsuspecting turns of this phenominal book. Ludlum is an extraordinary author who has an amazing ability to captivate your mind.
The twists in this book are far greater than what is reflected in the movie. Hollywood, will be Hollywood, thus adding material that is nonexistant in the book in order to spice things up. Unfortunately for Ludlum's advent readers, we were given a waterdowned version of an extraordinary novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Not at all plausible
Review: I will concede that the book did have a lot of action and plot twists. Without giving away too much of the plot, here's the general idea. The heroine receives some trauma to the head which results in amnesia. The only clue to his identity is a secret bank account number found on his person. Upon trying to track down his identity, the protagonist discovers he has secret-agent-type skills and a seemingly endless number of bad guys are trying to kill him.The plot did seem to be well thought out and I'd say it is not at all predictable, but one repetitive theme ruined the book for me; it seemed as though the main character is getting shot or blown up in every chapter of the book. That in itself isn't necessarily bad, but he gets riddled with bullets and manages to keep going, and this happens repeatedly. It reminds me of those thriller/horror movies where you think the villain is dead, but he keeps coming back to life for that last attempt to kill the teenagers. At first, this didn't bother me, and I was enjoying the book; however, I can only take so much unbelievable garbage. As I reached the half-way point I found I had to force myself to continue reading, and after a few sessions after that, I gave up on the book; I couldn't stand it anymore. If you can overlook this major annoyance, then you probably would like this book, but if you're like me and need certain aspects of the action to have a fragment of realism, then you might want to look for something else to read.
Rating:
Summary: One You HAVE TO read!!!
Review: First of all: If you don't like this book, I think you're crazy!
Next: Don't expect this book to be like the movie (the book is much better!)
Okay, this book has to be one of the best books I have ever read. It is about this man, Jason Bourne, who loses his memory and slowly gains it back with the help of this girl, Marie St. Jacques.
The book is full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. In fact, I was up past my bedtime by at least three hours every time I tried reading this book!
However, if you absolutely love this book, I would not recommend watching the movie. It completely ruins the book because it has only two things in common with the book: Jason and Marie.(That's why you shouldn't get dissapointed if you watch the movie and then read the book.)
Rating:
Summary: amazing
Review: I have read most, if not all, of Ludlum's books.The Bourne books are my favorite ( I have read all three two times each). exciting, well written, interesting, etc. These books are absolutely flawless.
p.s. both attempts at making this book a movie were absolutely horrible
Rating:
Summary: The Bourne Books
Review: I have all of Robert Ludlum's Bourne Series of books and they are all outstanding. One of my favorites.
Rating: 
Summary: not impressed
Review: has anyone else noticed that most of the reviews for any product on amazon are all five stars, written by people who "aboslutely loved this book/cd/dvd/whathaveyou"? okay, well with that said, the Bourne Identity wasn't terrible, but it wasn't particularly good either. While I was reading it, I couldn't help but think it was perfect to send to hollywood as a move plot and lo and behold, poof. The story line has an interesting premise (a man wakes up with amnesia on a fishing boat and the only clue to his identity is a microchip that was implanted in his body...) but it starts to read a little predictably after that, just like a typical hollywood blockbuster should. enter the love interest who will help him understand who he really is and change him through her love, a chase across europe and the united states ensues, etc. etc. it's good mind-numbing reading, but don't expect anything monumentally novel and ground-breaking or life changing. I actually think I liked the movie better, at least, I don't expect as much from hollywood as I do from a book.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good read. Best adventure intro I've ever read.
Review: I enjoyed reading this book very much. It is truly a 'page turner'. the opening paragraphs in chapter one are some of the most exciting and vivid I have read in over 50 years of avid reading. if you like reading thrillers, mysteries, or adventures, you will enjoy reading this one and the two sequels that follow it (Bourne Supremecy + Bourne Ultimatum).
Rating: 
Summary: Two completly different stories
Review: I really enjoyed the movie, simple plot, great story, good cast. But a different story is being told in the book. It's far more complicated: one really has to concentrate and read carefully every sentence in order to understand what's going on. I'm almost done reading it and I still don't have a clear picture on who's who. There's so much confusion and the story is so complicated it's almost annoying. I also don't like the long dialogues between Jason and Marie. They slow the book down enormously. Reading this book should be a heart-pounding experience, but instead it becomes incredibly boring.
Speaking of Marie, I don't like her character either. All that happens between Jason and her, seems so unlikely it's almost funny and ridiculous. She is portrayed as this superwoman, sometimes casting a big dark shadow upon Jason's figure (which should be the strong one). She practically leads him by hand, tells him what to do. Jason is supposed to be very bright, very strong...a superman without memory. Instead he seems like a frightened child, who needs help from a woman in order to understand what's going on. He therefore becomes weak and dependent upon others. It's not the Jason I saw and liked in the movie. The plot also never seems to go past Paris, everything is being played out there. I think this book lacks on mobility and tension. I wouldn't recommend it to someone who's looking for the same story of the movie.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting!
Review: My husband and I saw the movie based on this book, and he went right out and bought this book. He read and highly recommended it. Although it's not my regular genre, I started reading and couldn't put it down! It is so thrilling, and so much better than the movie. If you are like me - liked the movie and wanted to know more about Jason Bourne - this book is definitely for you!
| 
