The Bourne Identity: Jason Bourne Series, Book 1 cover art

The Bourne Identity: Jason Bourne Series, Book 1

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The Bourne Identity: Jason Bourne Series, Book 1

By: Robert Ludlum
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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About this listen

He was dragged from the sea, his body riddled with bullets. There are a few clues: a frame of microfilm surgically implanted beneath the skin of his hip; evidence that plastic surgery has altered his face; strange things he says in his delirium, which could be code words. And a number on the film negative that leads to a bank account in Zurich, four million dollars, and a name for the amnesiac: Jason Bourne. Now he is running for his life.

A man with an unknown past and an uncertain future, the target of assassins and at the heart of a deadly puzzle. He's fighting for survival and no one can help him - except the one woman who once wanted to escape him....

©1980 Robert Ludlum (P)2008 Random House Audio Espionage Spies & Politics Suspense Thriller & Suspense
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fast paced, intricately woven story, excellent character development, so much fun to listen to, I'm addicted!

Thrilling story, magnificently narrated

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Narrator puts a little too much into it, imho. Listen to the Brits read James Bond.
This is a bit dated (the worst thing a woman can be is a "whore!") but still a great story.

Good story

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Awesome narrative, full of action and suspense. But I found it hard to get used to the narrator’s intonation and speed, so I sometimes slowed it down a touch.

It was a very long story, though not fully resolved, so I look forward to the sequel!

Awesome narrative, fast narration, long story

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Struggled to finish. I liked it but it was so long and conveluted. I would like to hear all 3 I hope the other 2 are easier to follow.

nothing like the movie

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have to say, completely different to the movie and a much better story overall. a must listen for anyone who loved the movies!

amazing story!

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I found it hard to concentrate listing to the audio.
The story was great better than the movie

it's hard to concentrate on the story

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I began the book with an idea of what was going to happen and throughout the book it kept me on edge and was quite remarkable of how they wrote the story I personally cannot wait to read the rest and also would like to see the movie lovely book and give it a 10 out of 10

Magnificent

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despite the fact i have actually seen the movie series before attempting the book it has been equaling gripping. given the complicated plot i may have to listen to it all again once i get through the series.

complicated but enthralling

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**contains some light spoilers **

The story begins with a man lost at sea, picked up by fishermen. The man is wounded and has no memory of who he is or how he came to be in the Mediterraneo. It’s a cracking read make no mistake. However, it was at times a little too convoluted for a layman like me, not familiar with such government practices and jargon to fully understand some parts. I initially started reading a hard copy of the book and loved it - the written pacing of the book was terrific - no wonder this book spawned several Hollywood films! On that note, Hollywood makes Jason Bourne a much more likeable and sympathetic character than the book does. (My opinion of course).

I decided to try the audiobook so I could keep reading when I was out and about shopping etc ☺️ Which brings me to the narrator, Scott Brick. He is fine, however a couple of things bugged me - the way he voices Marie was not good. Very flouncy for a character as bright, determined and strong as her. The other problem I had with the narrator is his pacing is not reflective of the action, drama and urgency the text demands. Needless to say i read this mostly at speed 1.2 and sometimes 1.5 to capture the way i was reading the hard copy.

I had to also remind myself that this book was written in 1980. And views were different. Jason Bourne’s initial treatment of Marie is of grabbing, dragging, slapping, shoving and threatening her life. Not to mention swearing and yelling at her too. The fact that Marie then falls in love with this man (very quickly in Mills and Boon fashion) and forgives everything after he saves her from rape was quite problematic for me. Again yes I know, it was written in 1980. Not that it makes this ok but it did give me some understanding of the time and how such attitudes towards violence against women was sickingly accepted. Perhaps you could get away with writing such abuse on a man towards a woman and her to dismiss it and reduce it to inconsequential behaviour? She even says at one point that she may have done the same to him if she was capable and under the same pressure as him!!! Gosh how flippin awful huh?

Overall, i highly recommend it. Just read it at 1.2 speed and skim over Jason’s treatment of Marie in the first part of the book. Did I understand everything? Hell no. Did I enjoy the ride? Sure did 🙂

High octane thriller

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Such a good book and the reader is amazing! I often got so into it that I would suddenly find it to be 4am! Definitely worth a listen, even if you have or have not seen the movie.

On the edge of my seat the entire time!

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