The situations are the same, the characters are the same, they react in the same way, able to improvise using whatever is available. The novel is a regurgitation of The Bourne Identity, Hal Ambler is Jason Bourne, Jason Bourne is Hal Ambler. In The Ambler Warning the style is there, the detail is there, albeit a little sharper, but, and it is a big but.
Which begs a number of questions: Did he leave a chest full of manuscripts which a competent editor is putting together or, as has been rumoured, is a competent ghost writer churning out the works under the Ludlum name? Robert Ludlum was a prolific writer, even his death did not seem to put a stop to his prodigious flow. His theme throughout his work was that of the individual against the shadowy forces of the state and powerful corporations, or in other words, well-rooted in reality. I will not say more, so as not to spoil the plot, for those who have neither seen the film nor read the book.īorn in New York City, Robert Ludlum (1927-2001) was a prolific author, several of his books having been made into films. The Bourne Identity is a fast paced thriller, yes worth reading. The following day, a little after midnight, I read until gone 4am in the morning the first hundred or so pages. I wanted something to read to while away the hours, and a book drops into my hands! A friend once mentioned the film, but it all sounded pretty boring, and the friend he was telling was even less interested. I was aware of The Bourne Identity as a film (I believe there is now a sequel), but I did not know it was a novel too, let alone a novel by Robert Ludlum. I have also taken this one step further, setting up websites on books, music and writers. I do this with the music or books I like, I pass on to friends who I think will enjoy what I have enjoyed or found enlightening or interesting. One takes a risk, but usually one is rewarded with fresh avenues to explore. I often pick up a book or music, that I am unfamiliar with.
Never one to miss out on a free book, I picked it up and took it home to read.įor those with an open mind, BookCrossing is an excellent idea. It was a BookCrossing book, The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum. I was walking home from the local Post Office, it was a lovely warm sunny day at the end of March, and there sitting on a wall was a book asking to be picked up. Its progress is tracked by a unique Book Crossing ID (BCID). Until I came across a BookCrossing book, I had never picked one up, let alone read one.Ī BookCrossing book, is a book that is released into the wild for others to pick up and read. One comes across Robert Ludlum novels in airport shops, charity shops, jumbles sales, flea markets.
From that point of view, yes, I guess, I am theatrical. I think it's all suspense and what-happens-next.
I equate suspense and good theater in a very similar way.