Cheap The Bourne Identity (Book) (Robert Ludlum) Price

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Customer Reviews of The Bourne Identity

Smashing Spy Thriller
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 generic0@msn.com

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Ludlum's best - the genre's best.
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)

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The one that started it all!
Ludlum surpasses not only himself but all other spy thriller writers for all times to come. I started in 1977 with Scarlatti Inheritance and have ever since been hooked to Ludlum. But Bourne Identity exploded on me like no other book or experience I had. It is more than a spy story or about a person called Bourne trying to fight tremendous odds with a total memory loss with bursts of memory flashes of the violent past with layers of different personalities. It is about human mind itself discovering its way using the ultimate training of the past to protect it and achieve the objective imprinted in the psyche. The events will linger forever in the mind and you will be hungry to read another book which can match this book. Yes! Read it ,Enjoy it and be haunted by it.

I also recommend: all the other Bourne books along with most of the early Ludlum (I'm not crazy about his later stuff). Also check out "A TOURIST IN THE YUCATAN" a cool thriller!