My name is Jason Bourne......I think! (The Bourne Identity - Robert Ludlum)

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	The Bourne Identity - Robert Ludlum
Date:	08/04/08 (60 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Concise and thrilling writing

Disadvantages: Drags in places, occasionally unbelievable

Robert Ludlum was a thriller writer with an enormous skill and breadth of knowledge. I have read many of his books, but only recently, having watched the films, did I decide to read the Bourne trilogy. The first of these is also the shortest, entitled The Bourne Identity.

It is important to note that only the briefest plot outline has any kind of relevance to the film. A man is fished out of the Mediterranean is full of bullet holes and has complete amnesia. Only a small chip imbedded in his body with the serial number of a Swiss bank account and the name Jason Bourne gives him and his rescuer, a doctor who is also a recovering alcoholic, a clue as to who he is.

Here is where the similarity between the book and the film virtually terminates. There are details which corrolate between the two, but not plotlines as such.

The plot continues at pace as the man, who can only assume his name is Jason Bourne finds a small fortune in the bank account, and enlists the aid of a Canadian economist named Marie in order to find out who he is, and, more importantly, why anyone would want to fill him with bullets and leave him for dead in the Med! Bourne finds himself a target of assassins for an unknown reason, but, as he gets closer and closer to the truth, his travels take him far and wide, ever pursued by someone desperate for him to cease to exist.

Robert Ludlum has a very unique style of writing. I found myself reading very fast, and then very slowly, as the language and pace of the book changed on a regular basis. At first, I was annoyed by this, but soon I became used to it and found that it was essential to my enjoyment. I found myself embedded in the story and as anxious as I ever have been reading a book before.

There are places where the book does drag, and there are deep and descriptive pages leading up to internsely quick dialogue and sudden actions and events. It is a testament to the knowledge and research of the author that he is able to describe in such geographical, technical and operational accuracy throughout the book.

There are many occasions where unfeasible situations occurred, with conclusions being drawn by the characters that seem only to make sense for the story to continue along its plotlines. However, this did not detract from my enjoyment of the book, and as soon as I finished the 566 page novel, I turned immediately to the second in the trilogy, The Bourne Supremacy, an even longer book, with anticipation of another good read.

Conclusion

A very well researched novel from a master of thriller writing. Drags in places, but very enjoyable.

The book is available from amazon.co.uk for £5.99.

Summary: The Bourne Identity - great novel