The Bourne IdentityThe Bourne Identity
Score Classic
What it's about
A man is pulled from the Mediterranean, full of bullets, with no memory of who he is. A frame of microfilm under his skin leads him to a Swiss bank account holding millions. As he tries to find out who he is, he learns that many people want him dead, and that he may be Jason Bourne, an assassin.
Why it's worth reading
It spent weeks at #1 on the New York Times list and is one of the great spy thrillers. It's fast and twisting, and it spawned the films.
You'll love it if you liked
The Day of the Jackal
Smiley's People
Red Storm RisingGood to know
It's quite different from the Matt Damon film, set in the Cold War with a different villain. The prose is breathless and dated in places.
By the numbers
- Readers54 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller74 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #103 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #292 of the 762 classics we rank
- #957 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Adventurous
More by Robert Ludlum
The Bourne Supremacy
The Matarese Circle
The Bourne Ultimatum
The Icarus AgendaIf you like this, read next
The Godfather
The Pillars of the Earth
In Cold Blood
Rebecca
Crime and Punishment
The Spy Who Came in From the ColdExplore the best-of lists
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Quick answers
Is The Bourne Identity worth reading?
Yes. It spent weeks at #1 on the New York Times list and is one of the great spy thrillers. It ranks #957 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 73.4 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Bourne Identity about?
A man is pulled from the Mediterranean, full of bullets, with no memory of who he is. A frame of microfilm under his skin leads him to a Swiss bank account holding millions. As he tries to find out who he is, he learns that many people want him dead, and that he may be Jason Bourne, an assassin.
How long does it take to read The Bourne Identity?
About 14 hours (576 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Bourne Identity?
If you liked it, try The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth, Smiley's People by John le Carré or Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy.