A
man washed up on the coast of the Mediterranean is not only
frightfully wounded but is also suffering from amnesia. He cannot
remember why he is where he is, and he cannot remember who he is.
Over
the next 500-plus pages, the man slowly remembers snippets of his
past while all around him it is obvious that professional killers are
intent on eradicating him. Like a blindfolded man with one hand tied
behind his back he must still try to remain one step in front of
these killers, using each small piece of information gleaned to
complete the jigsaw. Who is he? Why is where he is? Why do people
want to kill him?
The
book is very well written. The pace is fast; the content is
intelligent and obviously researched. It is the type of book that
wants to be read in one long reading: in other words, it is a book
that is extremely difficult to put down. Although there are many
characters, both major and minor, and a multitude of plot twists and
turns, many provoked by the intricacies of politics and high finance,
the reader remains captivated, wanting more.
Set
mainly in Europe (Paris, Switzerland, the Mediterranean… ) it also
extends across the Atlantic to New York. The occasional use of French
phrases is handled particularly well, and at no point does it feel
forced or out of place; it helps to emphasize the European atmosphere
that is such an important part of the story.
The
ending hints at a possible continuation (The
Bourne Supremacy),
and although I was disappointed that the roller coaster ride had come
to an end, I knew that there was another book, and another ride, just
around the corner. A great book; I would recommend it to anyone.
Those
of you who have seen the film by the same name (released in 2002)
should not believe that you do not have to read the book: the film
and the book are two completely different realities. The film has
grown out of several ideas in the book, but in no way does it
replicate the book, even though it has retained the name. Watching it
after I had read the book was a great disappointment, because had it
kept to the book it could have been ever so much more intelligent,
exciting and believable.