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The Bourne Supremacy

Book 2 in the series:Jason Bourne

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'The Bourne Supremacy' by Robert Ludlum is a high-intensity international thriller that follows the story of Jason Bourne, a former assassin who is forced back into the field when someone impersonates him in Hong Kong. The plot moves rapidly from one dramatic scene to the next, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. The book is full of political intrigue, twists, and turns, with a personal aspect added to the character that enhances the story. The novel delves into themes of manipulation, espionage, and the blurred lines between good and evil, set against the backdrop of Hong Kong and China.

The writing style of Robert Ludlum in 'The Bourne Supremacy' is described as fast-paced, intense, and full of action. The book is filled with detailed descriptions that immerse the reader in the story, creating a sense of urgency and suspense. The character of Jason Bourne, also known as David Webb, is portrayed as a complex and likable protagonist who navigates a world where everyone is a potential threat, adding layers of tension to the narrative.

Characters:

Characters exhibit varying degrees of complexity, with Jason Bourne being a strong yet conflicted protagonist, while other characters may lack depth.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is a mix of detailed descriptions and forced dialogue, occasionally lapsing into cliché, while also utilizing foreign languages to enhance the narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features intense political intrigue and personal stakes as the main character, David Webb, must deal with a double-life scenario involving government manipulation and an imposter assassin.

Setting:

The setting significantly influences the story, emphasizing the political climate of Hong Kong and China.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven, starting slowly but picking up speed in the middle, though some feel it could benefit from more concise editing.
Kowloon. The teeming final extension of China that is no part of the north except in spirit – but the spirit runs deep and descends into the caverns of men’s souls without regard for the harsh, irrele...

Notes:

David Webb, also known as Jason Bourne, is married to Marie St Jacques.
The plot revolves around a covert government scheme involving a Chinese minister aiming to take over Hong Kong.
An imposter is posing as Jason Bourne, leading to a deadly chase.
Marie uses a coded message during her kidnapping, referring to her favorite tree.
The book features action across multiple locations, including Hong Kong, Macao, and Mainland China.
Unlike the film, Marie plays a significant role in the novel rather than being killed early on.
The dialogue and plot are criticized for being overly complicated and sometimes ridiculous.
Ludlum incorporates foreign languages, like Mandarin and Cantonese, into the narrative.
Some readers feel the pacing of the book is inconsistent, starting slow but picking up later.
The character of Jason Bourne flips between his identities with ease, which some find unrealistic.
Many feel this book is less cohesive than the first in the series and includes unnecessary details.
The book is set against the backdrop of pre-1997 Hong Kong, during its handover from Britain to China.
Readers noted the lack of similarity between the book and its film adaptation, citing only character names as commonality.
While some found the action exhilarating, others found parts of the plot boring or fluffed with unnecessary information.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The story includes themes of kidnapping, sexual assault, and intense violence, which may act as triggers for some readers.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance present, primarily focused on the relationship between Jason Bourne and his wife, Marie.

From The Publisher:

For use in schools and libraries only. Super-diplomat Raymond Havilland sets up the kidnapping of Jason Bourne's wife in order to draw Bourne out of retirement and into a Taiwanese plot to seize Hong Kong and incite China against the West.

Ratings (13)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (6)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (3)
Did Not Like (1)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (17):

Read It (15)
Want To Read (1)
Not Interested (1)

1 comment(s)

Hated It
9 months

I went back and changed the first books rating to two stars just so I could rate this one lower

 

About the Author:

Robert Ludlum was the author of twenty-one novels, each a New York Times bestseller. There are more than 210 million of his books in print, and they have been translated into thirty-two languages. In addition to the Jason Bourne series-The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Bourne Ultimatum-he was the author of The Scarlatti Inheritance, The Chancellor Manuscript, and The Apocalypse Watch, among many others. Mr. Ludlum passed away in March, 2001.

 
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