Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp

Nothing Lasts Forever is the book that the movie Die Hard was based on.  This is one of those rare instances where the movie is better than the book, but the book is still solid in its own right.  Fans of the movie will appreciate those ways in which the movie closely followed the book and may also appreciate the ways in which the movie improved on the book.  It’s difficult to write a review without comparing the two.

One of the ways the book feels limited is in its confinement exclusively to the first person perspective of the hero, Joe Leland.  There is a lot of action going on around Joe, but much of it is only seen secondhand and motives are often surmised or interpreted.  Nothing Lasts Forever is darker than the movie and a little sadder.  

The book provides a lot of action even if it seems quite dated.  Joe Leland is a solid, everyman sort of protagonist and easy to root for.  I would compare this book to First Blood, by David Morrell.  Morrell’s book is the better book and stands the test of time better, but both are solid stories on their own and worthwhile experiences for fans of the movie who are interested in the original story and how it compares.  Recommended read.

I was fortunate to receive a review copy through netgalley.