Robert Ludlum's (TM) The Bourne Ascendancy

By: Eric Van Lustbader

Narrated by: Holter Graham

Length: 14 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Now, New York Times best-selling writer Eric Van Lustbader carries on Jason Bourne's story with a new novel about the rogue secret agent who has lost his memory...

In this thrilling and absorbing new novel Jason Bourne is faced with an impossible mission. He has been hired to impersonate a high-level government minister at a political summit meeting in Qatar, shielding the minister from any assassination attempts. Suddenly, armed gunmen storm the room, killing everyone but Bourne. Their target, however, isn't the minister Bourne impersonates...it is Bourne himself. Kidnapped and transported to an underground bunker, Bourne finds himself face-to-face with an infamous terrorist named El Ghadan ("Tomorrow"). El Ghadan holds as his captive Soraya Moore, former co-director of Treadstone, and a close friend to Bourne, along with her two year old daughter.

Meanwhile, the President of the United States is in the midst of brokering a historic peace treaty between the Israelis and the Palestinians-an event that El Ghadan is desperate to prevent. He demands that Bourne carry out a special mission: Kill the President. If Bourne refuses, Soraya and her daughter will die. Bourne must make a monstrous choice: Save Soraya and her daughter, or save the President.

©2014 Eric Van Lustbader (P)2014 Hachette Audio

Holter was incredibly hard to follow.

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Nothing. Story too chopped up and the reader (personal preference) was horrible.

What could Eric Van Lustbader have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I like the other Bourne books, but he let me down here.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Soft voice almost mumbling at times. Strained the whole book to understand the next word. New reader would be the only way I could listen to this again or recommend to anyone. I listen to the books in my library several times, but not this one.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

DISAPPOINTMENT.

oh well:(

Bourne becomes a common character. Reader is so breathy I missed many of his words.

Worst reader ever.

This guy is so bad I doubt I'll be able to finish the book. Can't properly rate the overall & story.

I can't believe how lame this book comes off.

What disappointed you about Robert Ludlum's (TM) The Bourne Ascendancy?

The narrator is terrible. A narrator can really ruin a good story.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Holter Graham?

Almost anyone. This narration is choppy, hard to follow and irritating to listen to.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

This book made me angry and disappointed. The story is not the best, but listening was painful. Can't you find a narrator with a sense of style and who appears to have understood the story, or at least have previewed it before attempting to perform?

Mildly entertaining

Not like Ludlum's previous work. Must have been a different contributing author. Did not enjoy the reader either. Spoke with very odd entonation.

Simply awful!

Would you try another book from Eric Van Lustbader and/or Holter Graham?

Van Lustbader: probably.. Graham: probably not.

What could Eric Van Lustbader have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

This certainly doesn't read like Van Lustbader. Compared to The Borne Legacy (and those that followed) it makes me wonder exactly WHO wrote this. Plot is fractured, and wanders off track often. There are too many "concentric" story lines. The characters are shallow, and the action is - well - limited. Jason Bourne is an iconic character that the writer needs to focus on and forget the "political message" that pollutes this work.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Holter Graham?

Take your pick; Scott Brick, George Guidall, Arman Schultz.. But it wouldn't have helped much.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Robert Ludlum's (TM) The Bourne Ascendancy?

From the first third, to the last four chapters... It simply can not be salvaged.

Any additional comments?

Eric Van Lustbader is a great writer and I've enjoyed every book that he has written until this point. If I was to give a message to him, it would be to go back to what he does best and leave the political messaging to the pundits on the cable channels.

What a terrible narrator!!

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I like the Bourne series very much. The narrator was absolutely terrible.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Robert Ludlum's (TM) The Bourne Ascendancy?

Bournes ability to assimilate into each situation.

What didn’t you like about Holter Graham’s performance?

How he.... halted in the.... middle of the... sentence when there.... was no reason.... to do so. He clearly was attempting to add his own drama to the book. How offensive to the author, Eric Van Lustbader.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The story was fine. Standard Jason Bourne twists and turns and thrills. I enjoyed it!

Any additional comments?

Holter Graham should find other employment.

2nd listening just as bad.

Struggled with difficult narration...destroyed the book. Gave it a 2nd chance but not worth it.

Very Sad Purchase

Unfortunately I couldn't even finish the book. The writer has gone so far away from Robert Ludlum it's non-recognizable. The language was totally uncalled for and ruined the book. I will make sure to never purchase an Audible.com book with this narrator. I actually cringed when he would "speak" as a child. It made me grit my teeth and was ultimately the straw that broke the camels back when listening and I had to turn it off.

Maybe the worst Bourne story

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Those who think anything conservative is wrong.

What was most disappointing about Eric Van Lustbader’s story?

He has turned the Bourne series into a political tool

What three words best describe Holter Graham’s voice?

mixed up characters

What character would you cut from Robert Ludlum's (TM) The Bourne Ascendancy?

Ashir

Any additional comments?

Jason Bourne is about action and intrigue, His role in this book is minimal. The action is gone and the politics are strong. The conservative presidential team are the bad guys, war mongers, adulterers and manipulators. Gay and lesbian agenda takes too much time and the characters are all about 1/4" deep. Is he trying to kill the Bourne series?