The Bourne Identity: Jason Bourne Series, Book 1

By: Robert Ludlum

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 22 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Spoilt by the movie

Is there anything you would change about this book?

My interest in the BOURNE stories was created by viewing the movies. I have only hear this one book so far. I could not gain the interest in it that I have had in other Audible books. I will try again with another BOURNE story and try again.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Obtain a new reader. Don't watch the movie first.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The story is involved, this is the way it is meant to be but needs a person with the ability of the author to make the story real in your mind. I didn't find this with this reader.

Any additional comments?

The movie spoilt this plus the reader. I will leave it for a while till the movies forgotten then try another one.

Not the movie

Very enjoyable book. The movie is not based on the book in any meaningful way.

Scott Brick improvised by far too much!

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes. The book is great; a page turner. But this audio book is a bit annoying. Why? See below.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yep.

What three words best describe Scott Brick’s performance?

Improvisation, Dissident, Character.

Any additional comments?

Scott's performance isn't bad, but it's more an interpretation than reading the book. Certain passages got completely altered by Scott, which makes it hard to follow when listening to the audio book and reading the book at the same time. His characterization is believable, though. The story comes to live. But as I said it's not what Robert Ludlum wrote.

I have read this 3 times. Always amazed!

Love it!!! A great book which I've now listened to three times. Buy this book.

Such a pity - but mostly excellent

Huh? What did he say?
Unfortunately Mr Scott Bri has the tendency to use a soft voice with some parts so if you are listening in a noisy environment, like in a moving vehicle, you tend to lose the las par of some wo. (And possibly some sentences too?)

The book is exceptional. The story much better than the story in the movie but I see it as a bonus (similar stories in the same vein).
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and look forward to the next in the series (Supremacy) BUT I am going to opt for the abridged version narrated by Jeff Harding, even though it is 20 hours shorter. From the sample it sounds acceptable.

The performance of the narrator is mostly top notch but I hate it when people do not finish their words or sentences. If a word is worth saying then say it, dont sa i.

Superb book by R. Ludlum, superbly read!

Having much enjoyed the trilogy in theater, this opens the true history of the man known as Jason Bourne. Well read, as only Scott Brick can. A masterpiece of 3 by Robert Ludlum.

I should have read it before the movies

I was looking for something "real" as I was coming off a fantasy binge and thought "why not Jason Bourne?"

It seems to be a problem that I rate Matt Damon so highly as I could not forget the movie and it spoilt the book for me.

So, if you have NOT seen the movies then definitely buy the book. Its high paced, believable action. Great story, fun twists and full of intrigue.

If you HAVE seen the movies, move on little crickets, move on....

A gripping story read by an excellent narrator.

If you could sum up The Bourne Identity: Jason Bourne Series, Book 1 in three words, what would they be?

Intriguing, Extreme and a Masterpiece.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jason Bourne. The story presents him as broken and yet extremely capable. One can't help wanting him to succeed in his journey to discover who he is.

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

Jason Bourne.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Bourne Identity: The assassin who was not!

Any additional comments?

Carlos should have been given a more active role in the story. Bourne's episodes of "blinding" recollections that appeared ti incapacitate in quite frequently seemed rather extreme at times.

This book has not aged well

Any additional comments?

I have read this book many times, although not in recent years, and it has always been one of my favorites. It just didn't work for me in audio format - Jason Bourne's frantic and repetitive thoughts and mantras came off very strange, which is of course a failing of the author.. But the narrator did not do Marie well at all - she sounded very stilted.

In short, I was disappointed.

a really good story

this was a really good story and I did not see how it would all fit together till the end really. definitely worth a listen. make sure you listen in order.