Call number
MYST LUD
Collection
Series
Publication
Random House (1986), Edition: 1st Random House ed, 597 pages
Description
Fiction. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Reenter the shadowy world of Jason Bourne, an expert assassin still plagued by the splintered nightmares of his former life. This time the stakes are higher than ever. For someone else has taken on the Bourne identityâ??a ruthless killer who must be stopped or the world will pay a devastating price. To succeed, the real Jason Bourne must maneuver through the dangerous labyrinth of international espionageâ??an exotic world filled with CIA plots, turncoat agents, and ever-shifting alliancesâ??all the while hoping to find the truth behind his haunted memories and the answers to his own fragmented past. This time there are two Bournesâ??and one must die. BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Ult… (more)
Subjects
User reviews
LibraryThing member TadAD
The first book ended at a good place. Stop there.
LibraryThing member DavidBurrows
I found this very heavy going. It didn't have the same pace as the Bourne Identity. Having said that the DVD is brilliant
LibraryThing member Homechicken
This book was a good follow-up to the first one, The Bourne Identity. In this book, David Webb aka Jason Bourne aka Cain aka Delta returns to the Far East when Marie is kidnapped, and he is drawn in to a Chinese plot with world-shaking consequences. The book starts with David and Marie living
There is quite a lot of romanized Mandarin, and some Cantonese. If you're familiar with the Chinese language (like me) you'll get a little bit more out of this book, but don't worry if you don't--the most important bits are translated for you. Ludlum certainly had decent resources to handle such a language, there weren't many errors in it.
This book is nothing whatsoever like the movie of the same name. In fact, the title is probably the only thing they have in common. It was a terrible movie, filmed by an epileptic cameraman with Parkinson's disease.
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happily in Maine. They're visited by a government official, then Marie disappears. David seeks out his old boss, Conklin, from the Treadstone 71 days, and elicits his help in tracking Marie to Hong Kong and a Taipan who isn't what he appears to be.There is quite a lot of romanized Mandarin, and some Cantonese. If you're familiar with the Chinese language (like me) you'll get a little bit more out of this book, but don't worry if you don't--the most important bits are translated for you. Ludlum certainly had decent resources to handle such a language, there weren't many errors in it.
This book is nothing whatsoever like the movie of the same name. In fact, the title is probably the only thing they have in common. It was a terrible movie, filmed by an epileptic cameraman with Parkinson's disease.
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LibraryThing member wktarin
Weak beginning, but ultimately an enjoyable tale.
LibraryThing member AuntieClio
I'm not surprised that this is even more convoluted than "Identity." Still with the overly-repeated phrases, the conspiracy behind-every-blade-of-grass theories, the two-dimensional characters and an overly sentimental view of romance and love. It's all right for a trashy spy novel, if you're in
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the mood for that sort of thing. Show Less
LibraryThing member ncpoekert
The Bourne Supremacy (Bourne Trilogy, Book 2) by Robert Ludlum (1987)
LibraryThing member ChromiumDomium
I thought this book was very good. However, it is a totally different story to the film (which is a good thing if you've seen the films and want a new Robert Ludlum story to read).
The only similarity to the film as far as I can see are the names of some of the living and dead characters. This is
This novel is set in and around Hong Kong and China, for the most part, and it's plot is thick with twists and turns. There are a few predictable moments though, which lead me to get a little bored on occasions, but never for too long. It barrels along at quite a pace, moving from location to location and crisis to crisis quite rapidly. I found some of the plot parts a little far-fetched and also a few of the characterizations a bit wooden and unbelievable. However on the whole it was a really good read, perhaps not quite as strong as the first in the series.
The only similarity to the film as far as I can see are the names of some of the living and dead characters. This is
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not a detraction as I found the second film a bit weak in comparison to the first. This novel is set in and around Hong Kong and China, for the most part, and it's plot is thick with twists and turns. There are a few predictable moments though, which lead me to get a little bored on occasions, but never for too long. It barrels along at quite a pace, moving from location to location and crisis to crisis quite rapidly. I found some of the plot parts a little far-fetched and also a few of the characterizations a bit wooden and unbelievable. However on the whole it was a really good read, perhaps not quite as strong as the first in the series.
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LibraryThing member fothpaul
Good in patches. Similar to the last book in that sometimes it gets bogged down in lots of twists and turns which I'm sure where very exciting in the Authors head, but didn't really do it for me on the page. When the action gets going it's quite enjoyable to read and I really do like the character
Still it certainly was a readable book with good points, I was just expecting a little bit more than was delivered.
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of Jason Bourne. I think a little too much was made of the duality of Bourne/Webb and his ability to switch each one on and off seemingly at whim. My final complaint is that it was just far too long. The first in the trilogy was quite a long read with a couple of slow books, but this was quite a few pages more and I don't think that this was a good thing.Still it certainly was a readable book with good points, I was just expecting a little bit more than was delivered.
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LibraryThing member pklar5
An excellent story with absolutely no real connection with the movie, except the title. The movie was great too, but you can read this book and get another excellent Jason Bourne adventure.
LibraryThing member smcamp1234
I was disappointed to say the least. I read the majority of the reviews and after reading through the first 30% of the book I thought it may be better than what others were thinking. But once the last few chapters came around I wasn't wrapped around it so much that I couldn't put the book down. I
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was actually bored at times. This one just lacked the intense scenes that came from the first book to keep you enthralled to the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member AngeloMarcos
I tried so hard to like this book, I really did, but I just didn't enjoy it.
I loved The Bourne Identity, and I expected this book to follow in the same vein. Unfortunately, I just found a lot of this it to be bogged down in socio-political commentary. Parts of it felt to me like some kind of
It's a real shame, but I just found it very difficult to get into and didn't really enjoy it.
Never mind, I can always reread The Bourne Identity..!
I loved The Bourne Identity, and I expected this book to follow in the same vein. Unfortunately, I just found a lot of this it to be bogged down in socio-political commentary. Parts of it felt to me like some kind of
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textbook..!It's a real shame, but I just found it very difficult to get into and didn't really enjoy it.
Never mind, I can always reread The Bourne Identity..!
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LibraryThing member capiam1234
I was disappointed to say the least. I read the majority of the reviews and after reading through the first 30% of the book I thought it may be better than what others were thinking. But once the last few chapters came around I wasn't wrapped around it so much that I couldn't put the book down. I
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was actually bored at times. This one just lacked the intense scenes that came from the first book to keep you enthralled to the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member anantj
This book is no comparison to the Bourne identity. There are a lot of superfluous events and the dialogue is forced and disjointed. the entire book only relies on the mythos of Jason Bourne who can achieve anything and everything without a thought to realism.
The presentation of the conflict
The presentation of the conflict
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between Jason Bourne and David Webb, which, could have been presented as a real mental struggle is a tack on to the story and doors not add to the credence of the story Show Less
LibraryThing member jeffome
Fairly gripping book that was very deep into pre-Chinese take-over of Hong Kong from Great Britain politics and the ramifications if evil forces tried to disrupt attempts at an orderly handover. Of course, much of that was way over my head and the various factions and players and those
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ramifications were not at all clear, but since they seemed to really matter to the Government guys and ultimately to Jason Bourne and those in his camp, I tried to let go of that 'need to understand' of mine and tried to enjoy the ride....which i did. Reconnects obviously to the previous Bourne book, which i read quite a long time ago, but most of it came back to me. Amazing calculations, observations, language knowledge, survival skills great moral character and tons and tons of good luck make Jason Bourne/David Webb a very likable character that you have to root for with all your might! Very long book that took me a while to get through (more my life's fault - not the book), but well worth it. Show Less
LibraryThing member nadineeg
Have read this several times - enough said
LibraryThing member ToniFGMAMTC
These books are so different from the movies. The storyline isn't the same. Also, the timeline is like 60's & 70's instead of current-ish. It kind of makes me think of how superhero comics have alternate reality universes for the same characters. Regardless of the small details, the overall is the
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same, lots of government and unknowns. He has to figure out who is doing what to him. He starts from nothing, not knowing who is against him or if anyone is on his side. Everyone is shady and a possible threat. Also, because of so much undercover, he has his own mind to compete with when trying to discern what's real. In this story he gets pulled into a battle between two opposing forces in China that could destroy other governments. Also, there is another Bourne, again. All of the scenarios would be dangerous of the best agent without having to sort out their own identity during the process. Show Less
LibraryThing member ToniFGMAMTC
These books are so different from the movies. The storyline isn't the same. Also, the timeline is like 60's & 70's instead of current-ish. It kind of makes me think of how superhero comics have alternate reality universes for the same characters. Regardless of the small details, the overall is the
Show More
same, lots of government and unknowns. He has to figure out who is doing what to him. He starts from nothing, not knowing who is against him or if anyone is on his side. Everyone is shady and a possible threat. Also, because of so much undercover, he has his own mind to compete with when trying to discern what's real. In this story he gets pulled into a battle between two opposing forces in China that could destroy other governments. Also, there is another Bourne, again. All of the scenarios would be dangerous of the best agent without having to sort out their own identity during the process. Show Less
LibraryThing member RonWelton
Married now to Marie St. Jacques, David Webb is being drawn in to another maelstrom covert government project. This one devised by Ambassador without portfolio, Raymond Haviland and National Security Council member, John (Jack) Reilly. The two of them entice diplomat, Edward McAllister to assist
Haviland and Reilly proposes: "An imposter is posing as the myth, but if the original myth takes out the imposter, he's in the position to reach Sheng." They device a diabolical plan which McAllister, against his better nature, puts into effect using the apparent bloody abduction of Marie to trigger David's alter-ego.
Marie tries to inform David during a call allowed by the abductors with a coded response: "my favorite tree". David in his alter-ego self does not attempt to decode but later, after Marie manages to escape with the help of Catherine Staples of the Canadian consulate, McAllister does, putting the G-men hot on her trail.
Jason, meanwhile, though warned explicitly not to, extends his chase from Hong Kong to Macao then to Mainland China. He has joined with Philippe d'Anjou, Medusa agent Echo. D'Anjou has "created" the neo-Bourne by transferring his Medusa skills and attitudes, but, d'Anjou was not able to control him and now the assassin is free-lancing. While dAnjou and Bourne are hot on the trail of the assassin, Marie has faced her own terrors. Again she has been sexually assaulted. This time David can not come to her aid. She fights her assailants valiantly and when nearly overcome is rescued by residents ashamed by the criminality of the local youths.
This brings us to the half-way mark of the novel. The reader can anticipate another half of thrilling action by both David and Marie, an outrageous scene in Tian An Men Square, wild changes in plot and a surprising denouement.
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and swear him to utmost secrecy. The Jason Bourne myth has been revised by an evil and ambitious Chinese minister of state, Sheng Ghou Yang who intends to take over Hong Kong and who has used an assassin posing as Bourne to take out those highly placed who do or might oppose him.Haviland and Reilly proposes: "An imposter is posing as the myth, but if the original myth takes out the imposter, he's in the position to reach Sheng." They device a diabolical plan which McAllister, against his better nature, puts into effect using the apparent bloody abduction of Marie to trigger David's alter-ego.
Marie tries to inform David during a call allowed by the abductors with a coded response: "my favorite tree". David in his alter-ego self does not attempt to decode but later, after Marie manages to escape with the help of Catherine Staples of the Canadian consulate, McAllister does, putting the G-men hot on her trail.
Jason, meanwhile, though warned explicitly not to, extends his chase from Hong Kong to Macao then to Mainland China. He has joined with Philippe d'Anjou, Medusa agent Echo. D'Anjou has "created" the neo-Bourne by transferring his Medusa skills and attitudes, but, d'Anjou was not able to control him and now the assassin is free-lancing. While dAnjou and Bourne are hot on the trail of the assassin, Marie has faced her own terrors. Again she has been sexually assaulted. This time David can not come to her aid. She fights her assailants valiantly and when nearly overcome is rescued by residents ashamed by the criminality of the local youths.
This brings us to the half-way mark of the novel. The reader can anticipate another half of thrilling action by both David and Marie, an outrageous scene in Tian An Men Square, wild changes in plot and a surprising denouement.
Show Less
LibraryThing member gopfolk
Suspenseful until the end!
I'm liking this series. There is just enough political intrigue to keep me coming back. This time it was a more personal aspect for the character and with that added another dimension to the story that worked out quite well. I was a huge fan of Clancy novels and now I can
I'm liking this series. There is just enough political intrigue to keep me coming back. This time it was a more personal aspect for the character and with that added another dimension to the story that worked out quite well. I was a huge fan of Clancy novels and now I can
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say that I'm a Ludlum fan as well. Show Less
LibraryThing member ursula
Another great page-turner centering around Jason Bourne. Not great literature, but a terrifically fun book.
LibraryThing member Lcmcsr
Well written, fat moving thriller. There was too much explanation of the various events in the book that were not necessary to the plot but almost seemed like the author had to "up" his word count.
Pages
597
ISBN
0394543963 / 9780394543963