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[The Shadow]

I loved The Bourne Identity when I watched it a while back and the other day I watched The Bourne Supremacy, which I also enjoyed. Are the books worth reading or did the movies do a good job of abridging the story? Are there significant differences between the movie and book? Should I bother? I really liked the movies but if the books are basically long versions of the movies I'll probably pass on reading them.

Off-topic, are Chuck Palahniuk books worth reading?

 

[nitewulf]

definitely worth reading, the movies are actuall drastically different from the books. the books have a main story arc involving an arch nemesis, the movies completely do away with that. the books are of course a lot more in depth and explain all the stuff every step of the way. for instance how bourne would go about obtaining a fake passport and a ride out of some country, or acquire weapons etc.
if you like the trilogy, also definitely check out Robert Ludlum's "The Holcroft Covenant".
Note all his books have titles that contain three words.

 

[DaveH]

It's spy-fiction... the book is more Bond-esque than the movie. I think the book is a little dated too. The angst and romance factor is pumped up and kinda annoying in book format ("I don't know who I am, hold me!" "I hate you, no I love you!" Bleech!).

I didn't read the sequel, but I'd say pass on the first book, IMO.

 

[Vennt]

Calling the film an "Abridged Version" is an understatement of superheroic proportions.

The book is a much much fuller story, and having read the book first I couldn't really get into the film due to the amount that was cut & 'simplified'.

Whilst I really enjoy reading I'm not the usual "Book > Film" nazi, but this is one case where I'd make an exception based on my reaction to the film.


edit: DaveH: Amazing how polarized opinions can be on something so simple/trivial heh - I guess the answer is "suck it & see"

 

[DarienA]

The books are worth reading but be warned... VERY different from the movies.

 

[Luscious LeftFoot]

Tried to read through the first book on two separate occasions, just couldn't get through it... it didn't "click" with me.

But I've heard good things from people who've managed to finish them.

 

[The Shadow]

I'm all about angst anyway. I'm practically a goth, as it were.

I guess I'll see if I can find a box set. I'll be making a book run tomorrow. Any thoughts on Chuck Palahniuk?

 

[Luscious LeftFoot]

Chuck Palahniuk... Isn't he more, black humour?

Just remembered I never did finish his novel "Choke" :/

 

[calder]

If you do start reading the Bourne novels, stop before Ultimatum. In the books he ages the characters years and years between novels, and a 50 year old former assassin... meh.

And I agree, that shit aged really poorly. It's as quaint as Trevanian to read now, and if you're looking for Cold War era spy fiction I always like other stuff a lot more than Ludlum. Ludlum writing about Bourne/Webb's internal turmoil was pretty hackneyed from the get go IMO.

I'm actually rereading my Arkady Renko novels again (almost done Red Square). Such awesome books about life in the Soviet Union, although more crime fiction than spy thriller. Martin Cruz Smith's novels from the 80's aged very, very well, but then he's always been one of my favourite authors.

 

[nitewulf]

well you could even go back to alistair maclean for espionage stuff which seem pretty fresh even now, or john le carre. but i think ludlum stuff aged ok, but his novels are usually similar. some huge conspiracy is going on, and its one man againts the world, with bodies getting knocked off every 15 pages. he was a quick thrills writer. whereas john le carre is extremely deep, and more literary.

 

[nitewulf]

BTW calder, in what order would you recommend one start the arkady renko novels? i saw gorky park a long time ago, the cold war era eastern bloc police detective sounds fascinating.