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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
This book was TEDIOUS. It was long-winded, over complicated, unjustified in its 500+ pages.
I wanted to like this book, I first heard about this series through the movies-which I loved. I know I'm a traitor to readers everywhere in saying this. The book and the movie have virtually nothing in common. Character names. Amnesia. Spies. That's about it. I can easily see why this story wasn't fit as-is for a movie screen.
I lost interest early-on in the nuance of this story, and it was a real slog.
I can't recommend this book to anybody, unless you're desperate to see how the book varies from the movies.
I wanted to like this book, I first heard about this series through the movies-which I loved. I know I'm a traitor to readers everywhere in saying this. The book and the movie have virtually nothing in common. Character names. Amnesia. Spies. That's about it. I can easily see why this story wasn't fit as-is for a movie screen.
I lost interest early-on in the nuance of this story, and it was a real slog.
I can't recommend this book to anybody, unless you're desperate to see how the book varies from the movies.
Great suspense with fewer connections to the movie than I recalled.
I read this book first when I was about 14. I liked it well enough then, but there were things that were a bit above me making me not attempt any more of my brothers books from this author. How come I picked it up again after all these years?
The answer is my daughter. She asked me after we saw the movie together if the book was better and I simply couldn't answer. I've read it, but that was ages ago and I couldn't recall what actually happened in the book and if there was any differences. So I borrowed the book again from my brother. This time an updated English version. And began.
First of all the movie and the book are telling different stories, yet they are the same. People and events are different, but the overall structure is somewhat the same. The story has been updated a bit in the movie, which I think is understandable since the book reeks of the 80's with dated language and dialogue.
So which is better? The book or the movie?
Neither. And both.
Neither is bad.
Both have their merits.
I would say, read the book without expectations based on the movie because, even if you know in general what will happen, there are so many differences between the two that it will seem like a new story. Or at least a different version.
I read this book first when I was about 14. I liked it well enough then, but there were things that were a bit above me making me not attempt any more of my brothers books from this author. How come I picked it up again after all these years?
The answer is my daughter. She asked me after we saw the movie together if the book was better and I simply couldn't answer. I've read it, but that was ages ago and I couldn't recall what actually happened in the book and if there was any differences. So I borrowed the book again from my brother. This time an updated English version. And began.
First of all the movie and the book are telling different stories, yet they are the same. People and events are different, but the overall structure is somewhat the same. The story has been updated a bit in the movie, which I think is understandable since the book reeks of the 80's with dated language and dialogue.
So which is better? The book or the movie?
Neither. And both.
Neither is bad.
Both have their merits.
I would say, read the book without expectations based on the movie because, even if you know in general what will happen, there are so many differences between the two that it will seem like a new story. Or at least a different version.
Wow, what a read! This is the first military fiction novel I've ever read, and I'm glad I did. Rather outside of my comfort zone when it comes to novels, I found this rather a slow read, but it was amazingly done. I fell in love with the movies, and still watch them often. I knew the book was probably different, but how different I wasn't sure.
Is it old? Yes. So it'd wordy, and the technology is incredibly outdated. But seeing what Bourne had to work with was part of what makes it a great novel. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Jason face incredibly difficult situations, with only the limited technologies of my childhood, and knowing he'd come out on top.
I loved the addition of Carlos, a plot that wasn't in the films, and couldn't guess how things were going to play out. I did miss the female operatives and political leaders that are in the films, but it was published in 1980.
There is a rape scene that's kind of graphic, as well as some cursing, but this is definitely a series I want to continue!
Is it old? Yes. So it'd wordy, and the technology is incredibly outdated. But seeing what Bourne had to work with was part of what makes it a great novel. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Jason face incredibly difficult situations, with only the limited technologies of my childhood, and knowing he'd come out on top.
I loved the addition of Carlos, a plot that wasn't in the films, and couldn't guess how things were going to play out. I did miss the female operatives and political leaders that are in the films, but it was published in 1980.
There is a rape scene that's kind of graphic, as well as some cursing, but this is definitely a series I want to continue!
slow-paced
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am probably in the minority, but I enjoyed the movie more.
I did enjoy the book, but it was too long and too hard to follow. I am sure that the author intended it to be hard to follow to help give the reader a sense of the disorientation that Bourne was feeling but it made it hard to follow.
I may continue the series but I have no great desire to rush out and read the next one right away.
I did enjoy the book, but it was too long and too hard to follow. I am sure that the author intended it to be hard to follow to help give the reader a sense of the disorientation that Bourne was feeling but it made it hard to follow.
I may continue the series but I have no great desire to rush out and read the next one right away.
It was a good book. So much different from the movie which is why I loved it so much. I kept thinking I knew what was going to happen, but everything was different. Going to take a break, but definately going to read the next two books.
Clever story, a bit slow at times but still captivating. Have to think about my rating!
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I was so ready to love this book that I was willing to overlook so much, but in the end it just wasn't possible. While the over-arching plot and the (now) historical context was fascinating, it wasn't worth the insipid characters, forced romance, and terrible writing. I thought the book would be better than the movie, but it seems like that's not the case.
It started well enough at least. I was hooked with the premise. But about 30% in, it started to focus on banks and finances, and it started to lose me. There was a whole thing with the fiche confidentielle that I did not really care for. There was also a lot of relays, phone calls, and bureaucratic nonsense that took forever and ruined the pacing. Maybe this would have been a thrill for someone who knows finances well and I'm just missing something, but I was a bit bored.
The other problem was the forced romance between Bourne and Marie. I am convinced our man Robbie has never met a real life woman before because this was utterly ridiculous. After holding Marie hostage for two days, slapping her, hurting her, threatening her, killing other people, etc., her opinion of Bourne suddenly changes and she falls so deeply in love with him because he saved her from being raped... and after this understandably harrowing experience, she is so appreciative that she... has sex with him that night. Really?? You really think a woman who was traumatized would willingly do it with someone so soon?? And then, to prove they are so much in love, every exchange between the two has to start or end with a "my love" or "my darling" (bonus points when they repeat it twice in a sentence!! They are sooo in love <3).
After being saved by Bourne, Marie is suddenly convinced she knows his true character better than him, as no true assassin would ever risk their life to save someone like little old her (because ofc bad guys are always cartoonishly evil and must commit every sin known to man). So from then on, she insists on helping him; he doesn't want it because he does not want to put her in danger, but she persists, insisting she knows his character best and that she does not want to see HIM in danger. Besides, she has a PhD in economics and can help with his banking issues. He reluctantly agrees, but of course, they get into the same argument over and over and over again; Jason is convinced he is a terrible person and should go about it alone and Marie gets upset because CLEARLY he is not a bad person and so they end up yelling and screaming at each other. This lady was in in the middle of some international conference and decides she is going to just drop everything in her life and help him... okay. While it is nice that she is at least smart, she is only really smart when it comes to how the bank works.
And since I am still on Marie, I do need to mention the most annoying aspect about her; her hysteria. She's on the phone and hears shocking news; she shrieks and is incomprehensible in the middle of the street. She sees her face plastered on the front page of a newspaper saying shes a wanted killer; she shrieks in the middle of the street (maybe don't do that if you're wanted? I have never ran from the law so idk what the protocol is there). She shrieks in the empty hotel room when she realizes he might not come back. What is with the shrieking?? There were also some minor female characters that did their fair share of screaming. Does Robert really think women are like this??? I am surprised he didn't just have a fainting couch ready for them to faint on with the amount of hysterics these characters displayed.
Bourne was interesting at least. Sure, I was willing to suspend my belief that this man got shot 10 times throughout the book (usually multiple wounds at a time) and was still mobile enough to do things; he's smart and resourceful. But then once in a while, he makes the dumbest mistake that even I, an untrained CIA agent, would have known better. The biggest mistake was when he holds this other lady hostage, threatens her, and then lets her go to the bathroom alone... for over ten minutes. Homie, she's gone lol. And then, to make matters worse, she sends someone to take his picture and he doesn't do anything about it?? I was not alive in the 80s and am no expert on photography, but I am quite certain if he just broke the camera and retrieved the film he would have been more than fine.
Maybe I am in the minority here, but writing style is usually not a make or break for when reading a book; if the ideas are interesting enough (and things aren't drawn out too long), I am willing to ignore with whatever problems I have with the writing. Unfortunately, the book was too long and the writing made it an even worse experience. Did he even HAVE an editor?? Some of the sentences were not complete and did not make sense. He is also incredibly repetitive; the book could be reduced by half if he just took out the "Cain is for Charlie and Delta is for Cain" crap. Whenever Rob finds a word/phrase/sentence that he likes, he uses it to death to make sure you notice. And not just throughout the book-- he'll repeat it multiple times on the same page! There was one paragraph (or page at least) where instead of saying children he kept saying "the littles and the very littles" THREE times. We get it! This book could have been considerably shorter.
The last thing I will mention is the fact that this man really published real person fan fiction about an assassin. I had no idea Carlos the Jackal was a real person (and it makes sense why they removed him in the movies) until I randomly googled his name expecting to find things relating to the book. He could have just made a brand new character based off of him, especially since it seems like he was a problem back then and the information we have about him now seems to take the "mystery" behind Carlos away. It just feels weird. Imagine writing a book in 2002 and having Bin Laden as the main antagonist... doesn't feel right.
I did like some things. Like I said, the overarching plot was interesting enough, just horribly executed. The historical references were interesting to read up on (like Operation Mincemeat). There were some interesting side characters, such as Villiers and Lavier. But it wasn't enough to save the book. I am sad because I was really looking forward to this series. Even though I have had this series on my shelf for a long time, I probably won't read the rest. :(
It started well enough at least. I was hooked with the premise. But about 30% in, it started to focus on banks and finances, and it started to lose me. There was a whole thing with the fiche confidentielle that I did not really care for. There was also a lot of relays, phone calls, and bureaucratic nonsense that took forever and ruined the pacing. Maybe this would have been a thrill for someone who knows finances well and I'm just missing something, but I was a bit bored.
The other problem was the forced romance between Bourne and Marie. I am convinced our man Robbie has never met a real life woman before because this was utterly ridiculous. After holding Marie hostage for two days, slapping her, hurting her, threatening her, killing other people, etc., her opinion of Bourne suddenly changes and she falls so deeply in love with him because he saved her from being raped... and after this understandably harrowing experience, she is so appreciative that she... has sex with him that night. Really?? You really think a woman who was traumatized would willingly do it with someone so soon?? And then, to prove they are so much in love, every exchange between the two has to start or end with a "my love" or "my darling" (bonus points when they repeat it twice in a sentence!! They are sooo in love <3).
After being saved by Bourne, Marie is suddenly convinced she knows his true character better than him, as no true assassin would ever risk their life to save someone like little old her (because ofc bad guys are always cartoonishly evil and must commit every sin known to man). So from then on, she insists on helping him; he doesn't want it because he does not want to put her in danger, but she persists, insisting she knows his character best and that she does not want to see HIM in danger. Besides, she has a PhD in economics and can help with his banking issues. He reluctantly agrees, but of course, they get into the same argument over and over and over again; Jason is convinced he is a terrible person and should go about it alone and Marie gets upset because CLEARLY he is not a bad person and so they end up yelling and screaming at each other. This lady was in in the middle of some international conference and decides she is going to just drop everything in her life and help him... okay. While it is nice that she is at least smart, she is only really smart when it comes to how the bank works.
And since I am still on Marie, I do need to mention the most annoying aspect about her; her hysteria. She's on the phone and hears shocking news; she shrieks and is incomprehensible in the middle of the street. She sees her face plastered on the front page of a newspaper saying shes a wanted killer; she shrieks in the middle of the street (maybe don't do that if you're wanted? I have never ran from the law so idk what the protocol is there). She shrieks in the empty hotel room when she realizes he might not come back. What is with the shrieking?? There were also some minor female characters that did their fair share of screaming. Does Robert really think women are like this??? I am surprised he didn't just have a fainting couch ready for them to faint on with the amount of hysterics these characters displayed.
Bourne was interesting at least. Sure, I was willing to suspend my belief that this man got shot 10 times throughout the book (usually multiple wounds at a time) and was still mobile enough to do things; he's smart and resourceful. But then once in a while, he makes the dumbest mistake that even I, an untrained CIA agent, would have known better. The biggest mistake was when he holds this other lady hostage, threatens her, and then lets her go to the bathroom alone... for over ten minutes. Homie, she's gone lol. And then, to make matters worse, she sends someone to take his picture and he doesn't do anything about it?? I was not alive in the 80s and am no expert on photography, but I am quite certain if he just broke the camera and retrieved the film he would have been more than fine.
Maybe I am in the minority here, but writing style is usually not a make or break for when reading a book; if the ideas are interesting enough (and things aren't drawn out too long), I am willing to ignore with whatever problems I have with the writing. Unfortunately, the book was too long and the writing made it an even worse experience. Did he even HAVE an editor?? Some of the sentences were not complete and did not make sense. He is also incredibly repetitive; the book could be reduced by half if he just took out the "Cain is for Charlie and Delta is for Cain" crap. Whenever Rob finds a word/phrase/sentence that he likes, he uses it to death to make sure you notice. And not just throughout the book-- he'll repeat it multiple times on the same page! There was one paragraph (or page at least) where instead of saying children he kept saying "the littles and the very littles" THREE times. We get it! This book could have been considerably shorter.
The last thing I will mention is the fact that this man really published real person fan fiction about an assassin. I had no idea Carlos the Jackal was a real person (and it makes sense why they removed him in the movies) until I randomly googled his name expecting to find things relating to the book. He could have just made a brand new character based off of him, especially since it seems like he was a problem back then and the information we have about him now seems to take the "mystery" behind Carlos away. It just feels weird. Imagine writing a book in 2002 and having Bin Laden as the main antagonist... doesn't feel right.
I did like some things. Like I said, the overarching plot was interesting enough, just horribly executed. The historical references were interesting to read up on (like Operation Mincemeat). There were some interesting side characters, such as Villiers and Lavier. But it wasn't enough to save the book. I am sad because I was really looking forward to this series. Even though I have had this series on my shelf for a long time, I probably won't read the rest. :(
challenging
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes