tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post6545745752099368481..comments2024-03-26T17:48:56.627+00:00Comments on 'Do You Write Under Your Own Name?': The Bourne IdentityMartin Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-25482005446353929352008-01-10T11:50:00.000+00:002008-01-10T11:50:00.000+00:00I once started a Ludlum book, years ago, but could...I once started a Ludlum book, years ago, but couldn't get on with it so stopped. We have enjoyed the movies on DVD, tough -- indeed I bought the Bourne trilogy (while still a trilogy) in omnibus edition at reduced price a year or two ago with a vague impluse that I might give him another try and/or that Cathy (my eldest daughter) might like to read him. So far, no takers among us.<BR/>I recall reading quite a few books by Richard Condon at that time, and enjoying those very much. The Manchurian Candidate is of course the one that sticks in the mind, but I read and enjoyed others. I enjoyed the old Laurence Harvey/Frank Sinatra movie, with Angela Lansbury playing against type. However, I recently watched the remake and hated it passionately -- mainly because the evil character was Meryl Streep being Hillary Clinton, and I found that tasteless and misogynistic. The earlier film was more of a straight thriller and all the better for it.<BR/><BR/>I have read quite a few of Robert Harris and always been mildly disappointed, though Enigma is my favourite and the film, though not sticking exactly to the book, is very good I agree. We've watched that as a family a couple of times on DVD.<BR/><BR/>Sorry to go on, nearly finished-- I don't usually read books in the genre of Ludlum/Condon these years, but recently I read one that I reviewed for Euro Crime, The Accident Man by Tom Cain, which is that "Diana's crash wasn't an accident" book. Although I have negative interest in the subject matter, the book was quite a good read, in fact very exciting, until the poor (sub-James Bond) final few chapters.Maxine Clarkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06628509319992204770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-13266492945989191932008-01-09T23:32:00.000+00:002008-01-09T23:32:00.000+00:00I haven't read 'Fatherland', but I thought Harris'...I haven't read 'Fatherland', but I thought Harris's 'Enigma' was excellent, and the film not bad either - must have been a difficult book to adapt for the screen. I'd describe Highsmith's Ripley books as psychological suspense and of course she is a much better literary stylist than Ludlum. Again, the two relatively recent Ripley films I very much enjoyed.Martin Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-91605831594932728702008-01-09T13:03:00.000+00:002008-01-09T13:03:00.000+00:00I've never read Ludlum but I enjoyed the films tre...I've never read Ludlum but I enjoyed the films tremendously. There's a lot to be said for a good, solidly written thriller read that can whisk you away from mundane life - I'd rather read something like that than a ponderous book with literary pretentions. I think Robert Harriss' Fatherland fits into that category. Also, the Ripley novels - although I'm not sure what category they fall under!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com