December Espionage Group Read: The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum *Spoilers*

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

This month, we are kicking it old school with the classic spy novel, The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum, to wind down a year of group reads.

Enjoy and chat with us before, during, and after you read!

[Chris]

I am almost halfway through and am DETERMINED to finish it this time around. I attempted to read it earlier this year and bailed on it. My only complaint is the length and wordiness.

[Lisa P, My weekend is all booked up!]

I don't think I'll reread it, but I read it quite a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it! One of my first introductions to the action/adventure genre.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I may try a reread as I like the novel. I'm a bit over committed, but I'll see. A reread of a favorite is always in order.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Okay I've started a reread and I'm "drawn in again". I have to lay a couple aside but I still think it's a good book. I think I see what you're reacting to Chris. It does have a bit more flavor text than some of the more recent action/spy reads. It doesn't bother me it keeps me interested. i don't know if that's because I read it first "back when" (I went through a Ludlum period when I snapped up everything he wrote as it came out) or just the way Ludlum writes it.

Anyway I like it.

[Eileen]

I'll be starting later today.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I'm to chapter 5 and it's roaring along. It's one of those books that takes a bit to set up the background to what's going on and then takes off.

[Eileen]

Thanks for letting me know, I'll try to catch up.

[Jonathan]

I didn't find it an action book in the 'guns blazing mould' as much as a thriller that keeps you going by it's slowly grinding tension. It's a great book in that regard.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

I find Ludlum is more an artist of keeping things tense (steady strain on the rope). Sometimes this book reminds me of The Tightrope Men by Desmond Bagley though I'm not sure which one came first.

Still yes, tension, edge of your seat, they could find the hero/heroine at any moment and it's curtains kind of skuldugery, but, in that is often some form of action. Passive action maybe... but then, that would be like saying "military Intellignece" or "Jumbo Shrimp." it's hard to get a handle on what that is.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I think there's plenty of action though you have to get maybe 4 or 5 chapters in for that to start. There is tension and intrigue (view spoiler)[ and the most intense case of Stockholm syndrome ever, :) (hide spoiler)]. Gun fire is frequent as well as break neck situations. I suppose it hits us all differently.

For a while I sort of thought of Ludlum and Forsyth as my "go to" authors.

[Eileen]

I've read the first couple of chapters last night. Plently of tension and intrigue between the doctor and his "patient". There was also a good amount of action. For me a good start for a book.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

I'm still waiting for another person on the planet to read The Holcroft Covenant which was my introduction to Ludlum and is still my favorite Ludlum book. The Borne identity not withstanding. (cause it's good to).

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Read it, liked it, deplored the movie. Read it along with Forsyth's The Odessa File. Like I said I was into Ludlum and Forsyth heavily at the same time, LOL.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "Read it, liked it, deplored the movie. Read it along with Forsyth's The Odessa File. Like I said I was into Ludlum and Forsyth heavily at the same time, LOL."

Yeah, the book was great, the movie? Well, it had the same name.... (cough, then awkwards silence) a-hem, but the book was great!

[Lisa P, My weekend is all booked up!]

I loved the old movie with Jaclyn Smith...didn't like the newer one with Matt Damon. The older one tended to follow along with the book much closer than the newer one did.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

I like anything with Jaclyn Smith in it (the soft spoken angel). I was refering to the movie made from "The Holcroft Covenant" staring a middle aged Michael Caine before he figured out how to bridge the gap from dynamic Cavalry Soldier in Zulu to the Old School master from Cider House Rules.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Right. I like the '80s movie (actually a TV mini-series) with Richard Chamberlain and Jaclyn Smith it tries to stay very close to the book and does a pretty good job...then there's the Damon movie that has the same name as the book but doesn't much resemble it otherwise.

Not a fan of the Damon movie. The Holcroft Covenant movie had a good star (Michael Caine) but he didn't really come across as anything like the character and the rest of the movie just failed.

[Bev]

Ordered it and hoping it arrives soon so I can catch up with you all!

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Okay...I get where some of you have been coming from (it's been a while since I read this) there are periods of action broken up by the investigation parts where the protagonists are trying to "put it all together".

Still hooked though.

[Jonathan]

Yes there are periods of action but it's not in the action that Ludlum excels. I mean he's good at it but his strength is in pushing the tension along in my view.

[Jennings]

I, Curmudgeon wrote: "I'm still waiting for another person on the planet to read The Holcroft Covenant which was my introduction to Ludlum and is still my favorite Ludlum book. The Borne identity not withstanding. (cau..."

I've read it! I like all the old Ludlum novels. Although he wasn't great at dialogue, he was certainly a master at intrigue. Not sure I can reread with you all until after the 16th, when I'll be on vacation for a week (thank God!). I've been so busy I've hardly had time for GR much less a book. Sad!

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Jennings wrote: "I, Curmudgeon wrote: "I'm still waiting for another person on the planet to read The Holcroft Covenant which was my introduction to Ludlum and is still my favorite Ludlum book. The Borne identity ..."

Really, I'm NOT the only one! The Holcroft Covenant was my introduction to the Fourth Riech. I'll be late starting this one too, but, I am reading it.!

[Eileen]

I'm already on chapter 15, a very intriguing book.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

"Intriguing", arr arr, good one.

[Bev]

Book arrived. :)

[Kevin]

I thought the first movie was more true to the book than any of the other movies I think in part while they were making it, Robert Ludlum was still alive, and had a different director.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Okay finished it (again) and even though I knew how it was going to end I still like it, stayed involved. I think I may reread the next in the series.

[Eileen]

You finished, Mike?!?

You're fast!

[Mike (the Paladin)]

that could be....oh never mind.

[Eileen]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "that could be....oh never mind."

Now that I think about what I said....yes...never mind. : )

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

a ... Freudian Slip?

[Bev]

Started and enjoying so far.

[Eileen]

I, Curmudgeon wrote: "a ... Freudian Slip?"

Hmmmmmmm?

[Eileen]

Bev wrote: "Started and enjoying so far."

Me, too.

[Eileen]

I'm on chapter 32 and this book is excellent. I just wish the movie would have gone into more details with the relationship between Bourne and Marie. I find it a fascinating part of the story.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

(view spoiler)[ In the second book she doesn't get killed either (hide spoiler)]

[Eileen]

Mike, I hated that part of the movie.

[Bev]

About three quarters through. I am really enjoying it but I do think it is dated geo politically speaking. I wish it had just been written rather than being 30 years old. Will add more later.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

....but Mr. Ludlum died in 2001...

[Bev]

I know it is just wishful thinking.....

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I know. I read this when it came out and greatly like it. That's one reason I'm so disgusted with the recent movies. The story in the movies doesn't even resemble the plot of the books. Still to each.

[Eileen]

I'm really surprised how far from the book the first movie is. I don't even consider it the same story. They use the same names but, nothing else is similar.

I did like the movie.

I'm almost finished!

[Bev]

I am in Paris and a bit bored. Hope it gets going again soon.

[Eileen]

Keep going Bev, it does pickup.

I finished and all I can say this book was great. It was definitely nothing like the movie. I wish during the first movie Marie had a bigger part. Marie plays such a major role in the book with Jason's mental and physical well-being. It was also nice reading about a strong, smart independent female in an action adventure book.

I enjoyed from the beginning Bourne waking up not knowing who he was. Then the story weaves in and out on his journey to find out who he really is. I don't think I'll forget...

Charlie..Delta...Kane....

I also listened to the audio version and you can't go wrong having someone speak French in your ear...it did add a little something.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

After the holidays (I have a huge back up of group reads and library books) I think I'll read the sequels again.

[Bev]

Eileen wrote: "Keep going Bev, it does pickup.

I finished and all I can say this book was great. It was definitely nothing like the movie. I wish during the first movie Marie had a bigger part. Marie plays such..."
Ok you convinced me Eileen, thankyou.

[Eileen]

Bev wrote: "Eileen wrote: "Keep going Bev, it does pickup.

I finished and all I can say this book was great. It was definitely nothing like the movie. I wish during the first movie Marie had a bigger part. M..."

Well, I hope you like it. If not...that's okay, every book isn't for everyone.