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Robert Ludlum: The Bourne Identity

A

Alicia

New Member
The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum

I'm going to start reading this mystery soon, with the book club at my site.

from Amazon.com...
He has no past. And he may have no future. His memory is blank. He only knows that he was flushed out of the Mediterranean Sea, his body riddled with bullets.

There are a few clues. A frame of microfilm surgically implanted beneath the flesh of his hip. Evidence that plastic surgery has altered his face. Strange things that he says in his delirium -- maybe code words. Initial: "J.B." And a number on the film negative that leads to a Swiss bank account, a fortune of four million...
 
Alicia, see you found the Film Adaptation thread about Bourne Identity! I'm sure you'll like it and the sequels, too.
 
the bourne identity

borne identity is part of a trilogy .It was an amazing book but the movie stinks. Jason Bourne is supposed to be a martial arts expert ,Matt Damon knows nothig about martial arts.
 
Keep trying to pick this book up, but for some reason its never in the shops when i remember to look out for it - i know there was a new edition out when the film was, hopefully there a few copies of that hanging around somewhere :)

Phil
 
I have been looking around for this book but couldn't find it. Phil, like you said there will be new editiion comes out so I will buy one!!
 
the story is the most intriguing one for years to come.however i found the ending too tame.(oops! i was just about to slip in a spoiler!)
 
Some questions about the book (book spoilers)

Ok, a couple of questions:

1. Was it ever established that
Bergeron, the designer, was Carlos? At the end it heavily implied that he wasn't, so it begs the question: why was this plot thread there at all if it didn't turn out to have any significance?
Please note: I haven't read the sequels yet, so if this turns out to be of significance later on then please don't spoil it for me. Just let me know that it does.

2. Was anyone else annoyed how easily
Bourne managed to escape Carlos' bullets on two occasions? Firstly, when he me d'Anjou at the Louvre. Why would Carlos miss? And secondly, in the taxi outside Treadstone. A sniper shot that hits the taxi driver instead of him. It seemed to me that in an otherwise expertly plotted story that these 2 events seemed to rely on weak 'extreme-luck' elements.
Any one else find that?

3. Did we ever find out what happened to the
old man that talked to Carlos in the confessional?
I can't remember.

Cheers.

(edited to add SPOILER tags)
 
*cough* SPOILERS!!! *cough*

Please use spoiler tags when talking about stuff from the novels that might give away the plot for those who havnt read it!!

Use [*spoiler] [/spoiler*] around the sensitive info (removing the stars of course!)

Phil
 
OK, OK. No worries.

I thought a spoiler warning in my subject would do, but obviously the rules are a little different here. Now I know.

(P.S. Surely in a Book of the Month discussion one would expect contributers to have read the book? Just wondering.)
 
Sorry So Late

Sorry, I just joined this website because I just found it and I just finished this book. I realized in posting late, but...

As far as CarlosTheTackles second question,
Bourne was missed by the bullets cause he turned his head to look at the taxi driver just as the shot was fired. It was dumb luck but it also explains why the assasin missed.

Now for a question of my own. What exactly happened in the show down between Bourne and Carlos?
I couldn't follow the part about Bourne hitting Carlos with two shots, Carlos not dying but bringing the screen crashing down on Bourne.

Can someone explain?
 
Finally got around to reading the book :) I have to say that I enjoyed it a lot, it keeps a fast dramatic pace, throws in lots of good actions scenes as well as the usual number of betrayals and turn arounds.

Of course the how novel (and indeed, the sequels), plays on Bourne's lost memory, which whilst not a particularly original setup is one that is translated very well into how the character behaves when confronted with certain situations. Ludlum's writing style is nicely terse and flowing, keeping the action and drama moving along at equal pace without sacrificing the plot elements.

Overall, a good read for those who enjoy action adventure stories along the lines of Cussler, Smith, etc, and perhaps a nice introduction to the genre for those that dont.

Phil
 
I have read this book and I remember thoroughly enjoying this book. It was a great read! The only problem (for me) is that the author takes a long time to start off on the plot. He starts off with 3-5 subplots and after a few chapters (typically 10 to 20), he reveals the connection between the subplots. If you can make yourself read the book till then, then the book becomes extremely interesting. Tried to read the sequel, but never find the time! :(
 
Bourne identity

I thought the book was very interesting. Bourne is very unique because he is intelligent even though he got like 2 bullet wounds in his head. He is capable of dong things that average peole cant do, he managed to use these skills during his journey to find his identity
 
I agree with you David. I like Bourne for his disguising skills.
He can change himself into a completely different person that one can't recognise its him.
For camouflaging skills, he was given some name, right? I dont seem to remember what it was!
 
'Chameleon' wasnt it? After the creature that changes colour to fit into its background.

Phil :)
 
I read and enjoyed the books, but the number of times words are italicized is enough to drive me bonkers! :rolleyes:
 
I didn't notice all the Itali. But it's been two or three years since I read it. I really enjoyed the read. It is nice to sit back and read a book that is brain candy.
 
I have only read the first book, and never got round to the sequels.

I did try to start the second one, but i felt i needed a break from it to get into it properly.

I also hated the film!! How it was known by the same name as the book i will never know, as most of the story was missing. No mention of Carlos whatsoever!!
 
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