Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Legacy

Second reading did not alter much in my opinion. Same feeling about the intensity of the writing: Van Lustbader's Bourne is not the same character as Ludlum's was.
Somehow it is strange that I like the writing and the plotting in this sequel not so much, because I also read other books by his hand and they were okay, or even good. What I found strange is, that the Bourne from the trilogy started to feel his age and in this book Bourne was young again. He also didn't care a s much for his family as the old Bourne and, instead of living somwhere with thm, he was on the run again. Hmmm....

Somehow, while reading this book, I couldn't help feeling that is wasn't the same as the first three parts. To me it didn't have the same intensity, the show more same thing that made me believe the story. Maybe my expectations were too high, maybe if you regard it as a stand alone book instead of sequel to Ludlum's Jason Bourne, then the reading would be better. show less

This book is Lustbader's 3rd effort to keep alive Robert Ludlum's character of Jason Bourne. With the success of two recent Bourne movies, it's not a bad career move. In fact, since this book reads something like a screenplay, perhaps a movie is what Lustbader has in mind. Unfortunately, as a book, The Bourne Legacy leaves something to be desired.

The best I can say is that the plot idea was interesting, and some of the action scenes had their moments. But it's not well written; like several recent writers, Lustbader can't sustain excitement without shifting rapidly from one scene to another (the literary equivalent of coitus interruptus). I was looking for some escape fiction and wanted to like this book; and so, I gamely stuck with show more it to the end. However, there are far too many characters, and the book is easily 150 pages too long. It was a relief when it was over! show less

This is a difficult book to rate. First, it needs to be noted that The Bourne Identity, the book that gave rise to the series of which this is the fourth entry, is my second-favorite book of all time (following only Dune). Thus, I am forced to rate the book both as a sequel to The Bourne Identity (and The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum) as well as on a stand-alone basis. As a sequel to the Bourne novels, this book, unfortunately fails, primarily because the character of David Webb/Jason Bourne did not feel quite right. I recognize that he is getting older and has been out of the world of assassination for some time; however, he makes too many mistakes or odd decisions. More importantly, the intense suspense of the Ludlum's show more novels (especially the first two) is missing. I saw both of the big "twists" in the story long before Van Lustbader revealed the truth. So, I was disappointed. As a stand-alone novel, I suppose that the book fares a bit better, but, unfortunately, not by much. If you are an absolute fan of the Bourne books, then by all means give The Bourne Legacy a try; similarly, if you like Eric Van Lustbader's books (which I do, especially The Ninja and some of its sequels), then give it a read. Otherwise, there are better books in the genre with which to spend your time. show less

Once again Eric Van Lustbadar has brought a tale of Jason Bourne, a trained CIA assassin, who has turned his back on the CIA for trying to kill him. His other identity, David Webb, is a professor at a local college. His double identity makes this book shine. One identity is a laidback, happy-go-lucky personality while the other is fierce and determined to reach his goal.

A Chechen assassin named Khan is after Bourne, on an assignment to kill him. He takes his first shot through a window in an empty classroom at the college where David Webb teaches. When he shoots the bullet at Webb, the Jason Bourne identity kicks in. He dodges the bullet and moves into a crowd of people. This is when the identity of the merciless Jason Bourne takes show more over completely. He is now determined to find whoever tried to kill him. This journey takes him to his friend, Alexander Conklin, whom he finds dead, and he’s accused of killing him. He runs away from the oncoming police, leading him to a stream where his second run-in with Khan takes place. Khan appears to be an enemy who is determined to carry out his assignment, but then Bourne learns a secret that would change his life forever.

I had a great time reading this book, tearing through every page. Jason Bourne’s double identity keeps the book interesting and blood-pumping. Eric Van Lustbadar is a true genius for creating such a widely known series. I have read every book before this and have seen all of the movies. I loved every second of the experience of reading this book. If I were to rate this book, I would give this 5 out of 5 stars. The dramatic chase scenes and the romantic moments give this book the perfect balance that truly shows what a great book this is. I would recommend to anyone who likes to take a challenge in the reading world to pick up this book. The reason why I say to take a challenge is that the vocabulary is very advanced in this book. But, don’t worry, the great story line makes up for most of that. show less

Creator Dies; Jason Bourne Lives

He’s back. Despite Robert Ludlum’s passing, his most famous character, Jason Bourne, has a life of his own.

He is now a professor of Eastern Studies at Georgetown University. He has assumed his old name – new to readers – David Webb. He leads a quiet life. Until one day he finds himself the target of another agent.

The action is furious. The twists are surprising. The events are often violent. The intrigue is not as convoluted as the original trilogy.

It is not vintage Ludlum, but to those who savored the originals it is not a bad second.

Whilst not quite on a par with Robert Ludlum's original Bourne stories this is definitely good fun and worth a read. Bourne is being pursued on two fronts. On the one-hand by the CIA and the other by a mysterious assassin known only as Khan. Can he save the world and reveal the identity of the mystery man before being arrested or killed himself? Of course he can!! Whilst lacking orginality and also being about 100 pages to long I would certainly recommend it as an easy read to fans of the genre.

The Bourne Legacy- Out With The Old, In with The Awesome

Rating: This book was a hell of a lot of fun

Do you remember all those Ludlum novels that were fantastic. The ones that kept you on the edge of your seat and were written intelligently that you weren’t exactly having a brain drain while reading He wrote the Bourne trilogy (that were adapted into movies) and sadly died in 2001. Then some one, this Eric Van Lustador had the gull to buy the rights to Ludlum’s masterpieces and started writing sequels I was sure I was going to disgrace his but not quite.
The Bourne Legacy is written completely different than the other novels. Unlike Ludlum, this guy had no true experience with the CIA to create anything intelligent in government show more workings. It’s told completely focusing on Jason who is no a college teacher.
A assassin tries to kill him. He runs and tried to get help from Conklin (his friend from the trilogy) He soon fins him dead. The police arrived. He’s framed for the murder and he’s on the run and the action doesn’t stop.
This is not the Jason Bourne from the previous novels. He supposedly the same character. But Jason was getting old and stuff in the third novel as in this one Bourne is portrayed as though he’s in his early thirties. With no problems what so ever. He also doesn’t have any inner split emotional battles between what Bourne would or what Webb would do. He isn’t as crazy. His friends pretty much die in the second chapter cutting that rope where the author can do as he wants. Also the first Bourne novels were written back in the late sixties, early seventies. In this one it takes place after 2000.. They have the internet, cell phones, and myspace. Very much like how the new bond Daniel Craig reinvented the Bond series. This author did the same with Jason.
The reinvention is a bit unrealistic, but so much happens that you really don’t care. It’s just a fun book. Jason is escaping hotels that are being raided, escaping the police in high speed chases, fighting and shoots outs and he has a long fight with a guy on the top of historic French church. How cool is that.
So is it like the other books? No. It doesn’t insult the original. It barrows elements from the source material. It reinvents it This is the more modern comic book like Jason Bourne, and it’s hell of a lot of fun. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a action book.

Four smoothies out of four

P.S. check out my book and ebook website at http://www.freewebs.com/lelue/ show less