The Bourne Identity

Rating:
Summary: Simply amazing!
Review: Jason Bourne may be an agent with extra ordinary skills that normally only a robot can have. But you can't tell it simply to your friends. You are really stunned by the style of writing and the convincing flow of events. And you'll find a position in your heart for our hero. This is Jason Bourne. The bold and the beautiful. Because when you are reading this book, you won't get time to mind the time. It simply passes. If you want to fast for some hours, may be day, and you don't want to feel it, I'll recommend this thriller. Don't worry if you finish this book. Bourne is waiting

Rating:
Summary: Mediocre!
Review: The concept was great--a man with no identity but with tantalizing clues to a dangerous past. I loved the story line but felt that the book should have been condensed. The main character was too introspective and whining. It seemed out of character with his supposedly "tough-guy" past and experiences. I skipped paragraph after paragraph of his monotonous reflecting and self-berating. I do not recommend recommend this book

Rating:
Summary: Ludlum being himself!!!!!!!
Review: Entertainment at it's best, Robert Ludlum is a purist for action packed novels

Rating:
Summary: SUPERLATIVE
Review: I've already read this book three times in the last few years and I'm still not bored with it! This book is sure to go down in the anals of thrillers as one of the greatest books ever written.I could hardly belive I was transported into the fascinationg world of espionage, blackmail and suchlike by the vivid style of Ludlum. This is a book that is a must for all thrill seeker

Rating:
Summary: Great Book! Sucked me right in
Review: Another fine title by Robert Lundlum. Grabs you right from the start and doesn't let go

Rating:
Summary: Smashing Spy Thriller
Review: Setting the standard for international spy thrillers, Robert Ludlum succeeds again at packing more thrills into several hundred pages than one would conceive possible. With a neo-gothic setting that adds just the right ambiance for a shadowy spy tale, the book has every detail that could be wished for in a novel of this genre. A page-turner all the way through, the action, in this book, picks up almost immediately and doesn't let off until nearly the last page. The characters are also, by Ludlum's standards, remarkably well developed. Jason Bourne, the protagonist, suffers from none of the usual invulnerability that plagues most of most of Ludlum's protagonists. Bourne is an exceptional agent whose exploits will entertain you, but his failures and faults keep him human. Bourne, and his female companion's emotions add a further touch of humanity that is often missing from many spy novels and most of Ludlum's other work. My only criticism of the book's characters would be of the unlikely love connection between Bourne and his girlfriend. However, besides for the initial stretch of why the girl would fall for Bourne, the rest of the relationship is the most realistic to be found in Ludlum's works.

Readers of Ludlum's other works who have noticed the consistent pattern in nearly all of Ludlum's plots will be pleasantly surprised to find that this story bears little resemblance to the usual redundant theme. Where most off Ludlum's works feature a nearly all powerful military-industrial conspiracy for world domination as the antagonist, this book differs significantly with a much more realistic tale of two spies pitted against each other. The journey of self-discovery undertaken by the main character is nearly as important as the main adventure, adding further to the books realism. Unfortunately the book's more down to earth tone detracts from the climax. Instead the usual explosive Ludlum finish, I was left feeling slightly unsatisfied. Nevertheless, the book's overall novelty left me feeling more fulfilled than I did after completing many of Ludlum's stories.

Those who have seen the movie need have no worries that they already know the book's plot. This story has nothing to do with the far inferior tale shown on the silver screen. Those who enjoyed the movie should definitely pick up the book and, even those who have not seen the movie will probably enjoy this book if they have any fondness for the spy thriller genre. If you enjoyed this book, you should certainly read The Janson Directive, which is, in my opinion, Ludlum's best work.

I hope this review was helpful to you. If you have any comment, please email me at [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Ludlum's best - the genre's best.
Review: This is the book that proves that Robert Ludlum is the master of the spy genre. Always interested in plot lines that throw unsuspecting characters into the path of intrigue & danger, Ludlum takes the concept to new heights in this novel. Not only does the character not know what is going on, he doesn't even know who he is! What he does know is that he's a dead man if he doesn't figure it all out pretty soon. The first paragraph of this novel may be the most exciting opening lines of any story ever written, and Ludlum's pacing and style were never better. I often get bored with spy novels (LeCarre wears me out) because the characters are slow and stupid. Ludlum's protagonist (Jason Bourne) is tough, smart, and clever, but very realistic. He does not make stupid mistakes (as any believable spy would not), but when hit or shot, he suffers as much as any of us would. If you fancy yourself a lover of spy mysteries, you must read this book! It is the only such book I have ever truly found to be a "page-turner". (The first time I read it, I couldn't put it down until 4AM)

Rating:
Summary: The Bourne Identity
Review: having read the Bourne trilogy some years ago the two movies recently made based on the Bourne Identity seemed somehow unfamiliar to me so, I've just re-read the entire trilogy and find absolutely no parallel in the films to the Ludlum stories...
The plots and subplots of the books make these exiting, can't put them down reading. Even Van Lustbarger does an excellent job in re-creating the Bourne character.
I just wonder where these movie makers come from to change an entire story to fill their alloted time.
You who have read the books will recall that Alex Conklin was Bourne's best friend, appearing in all three of the Ludlum books, yet he is killed in the first movie...sad to say that I won't be going to see "The Bourne Ultimatum" if they decide to make a movie of it.
Read the books, they are excellent.

Rating:
Summary: Great ideas=Great Book?
Review: Unfortunately, this is not the case. I saw the movie first and figured that the book must be even better. What I found is that the movie took the best parts of the book: some characters and a loss of memory. That is where the similarities end. The book has little of the excitement and intrigue of the movie. Ludlum tries to have many characters with different plots and motives, but in the end I simply wanted to watch the movie. I enjoy books and try to stay away from being so critical (I just want an enjoyable read), but for those who want CIA/multiple plots in thriller/action style book should read some of Tom Clany's earlier work.

Final View: Ludlum had some great ideas and a few good characters, but that is really all it turned out to be. He should have sold this idea to a more capable writer. Watch the movie and use the book to keep tables level.

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: This and Mark Reed's SOMETHING DIFFERENT!!! are our two favorite books of alltime.