From Amazon:
Jason Bourne.

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 dollars, and, at last, a name: Jason Bourne.

But now he is marked for death, caught in a maddening puzzle, racing for survival through the deep layers of his buried past into a bizarre world of murderous conspirators -- led by Carlos, the world's most dangerous assassin. And no one can help Jason Bourne but the woman who once wanted to escape him.



Having seen the movie before reading the book, it's difficult to write a review without comparing it. Then again, there really is no comparison. Had the movie-makers used the full Carlos storyline from the novel, rather than the incidental Conklin storyline, not only would it have been a much better movie, but they also would have the open-ending that allows for sequels that the book does. The only problem with this is that the story as is, is rooted firmly in the late 70's-early 80's with it's post-Vietnam parts.

I thought it was everything a spy thriller should be - gripping, enjoyable and only giving things away when it was called for.

Bookray for this book:
1. vsimeone (OH)
2. Aisling78 (MA)
3. GraceTX (TX)
4. Eucalia (CA)
4. VeronikaMM (Austria)
5. Jacaranda752 (Germany)
6. DLethe (UK)

Sent out to vsimeone on 16/4/04

Just received through the mail today as a participant in my first bookring. Am anxious to read it and pass it on!

Lots of twists and turns! Sorry I took so long. Going in the mail to Aisling78 tomorrow morning! Thanks for letting me participate!

I just received this book in the mail today, and can't wait to read it. I have a bookray book that I am halfway through right now, but I will begin reading this book as soon as that is done (probably by the end of this week/begining of next week).
~ Aisling78

I finished this book Friday...it was incredible and blew the movie out of the water. There were sections that did go on a bit and I'd find myself skimming over, only to go back and reread when I found I had missed an important passage. But all in all, this book was difficult to put down, and I was pretty bleary some mornings because of reading too late the night before. I have to hunt down other books by Robert Ludlum, including the sequel to this one (the Bourne Supremacy). thank you again for sharing this book and I hope the next reader enjoys it as much as I did. I'll be sending it on it's way once I receive an address.
~ Aisling78

It arrived while I was on vacation so I didn't get a chance to receive it until now. I look forward to reading this.
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Edited 8/30: I'm enjoying the book, but it's starting to fall apart. The book, not the storyline. Several pages are loose are I've taped them to the spine, but I don't think this book will make it through the ray. I'm going to go to Half Price Books tomorrow to see if I can find a replacement copy. If not, I'll buy one online so we can retire this book.

RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed to Eucalia as part of a book ray.

This book just arrived in my mailbox! Thanks GraceTX for finding a replacement copy! I have a book and a half ahead of this one, but I will start reading this as soon as I can!

OK, I just finished reading the last of the books I had to read before this one so I'm starting this one now!

RELEASE NOTES:

I finished reading this book late last night. I have to admit that this is not usually a genre that interests me much and I've never read anything by Robert Ludlum before. I don't know why I decided to read this book, especially considering the fact that the first time I tried to watch this movie, I fell asleep in the theater. But I'm glad I gave this book a go--what a wild ride! This book was much, much better than the movie.

The plot was intricate and full of twists, yet it always made sense. The characters, especially Jason Bourne, were easy to sympathize with, although I had some trouble believing in the love interest. There was nothing too complicated about the writing itself, but it wasn't overly simple either. My few complaints include the fact that there were quite a few conversations in French, and not knowing any French, I just had to guess what was being said at those points. Also, I didn't really care for the ending. It was great right up until the last page when I was left with an "Is that all?" feeling. Yet this book doesn't feel like it absolutely needs a sequel. In fact, I don't think I'll be reading the sequel too soon because I'm so worn out from reading this non-stop action-packed book! But I'll read it at some point, and I think I'd like to try some more of Robert Ludlum's books, too.

VeronikaMM asked to be skipped so I mailed this book to Jacaranda752 this morning. Thanks so much for sharing this book with me!

Thanks Eucalia for sending the book, I received it last week and am halfway through! Love it already, very exciting and surprising story. Can see why the movie would be such a hit. Will finish it as fast as I can!

Sorry this took so long. Enjoyed the book very much (a lot better than the movie...) and have mailed it to DLethe today. Thanks to JonAzrael for sharing it with us!!!

It was great to receive this in the post, I had forgotten it was coming. With the cold and snow here in nottingham I'm looking forward to curling up next to my fire and reading this.

Leonie (Nottingham, UK)