Angels & Demons |
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Dan Brown
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Pages: 557 (Paperback)
ISBN: 1416528652
Pub: Simon & Schuster Export
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 341857
Editorial Review:
It takes guts to write a novel that combines an ancient secret brotherhood, the Swiss Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire, a papal conclave, mysterious ambigrams, a plot against the Vatican, a mad scientist in a wheelchair, particles of anti-matter, jets that can travel 15,000 miles per hour, crafty assassins, a beautiful Italian physicist and a Harvard professor of religious iconology. It takes talent to make that novel anything but ridiculous. Kudos to Dan Brown (Digital Fortress) for achieving the nearly impossible. Angels and Demons is a no-holds-barred, pull-out-all-the-stops, breathless tangle of a thriller--think Katherine Neville's The Eight (but cleverer) or Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum (but more accessible).
Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is shocked to find proof that the legendary secret society, the Illuminati--dedicated since the time of Galileo to promoting the interests of science and condemning the blind faith of Catholicism--is alive, well, and murderously active. Brilliant physicist Leonardo Vetra has been murdered, his eyes plucked out and the society's ancient symbol branded upon his chest. His final discovery, anti-matter, the most powerful and dangerous energy source known to man, has disappeared--only to be hidden somewhere beneath Vatican City on the eve of the election of a new pope. Langdon and Vittoria, Vetra's daughter and colleague, embark on a frantic hunt through the streets, churches and catacombs of Rome, following a 400-year-old trail to the lair of the Illuminati, to prevent the incineration of civilisation.
Brown seems as much juggler as author--there are lots and lots of balls in the air in this novel, yet Brown manages to hurl the reader headlong into an almost surreal suspension of disbelief. While the reader might wish for a little more sardonic humour from Langdon and a little less bombastic philosophising on the eternal conflict between religion and science, these are less fatal flaws than niggling annoyances--readers should have no trouble skimming past them and immersing themselves in a heck of a good read. "Brain candy" it may be, but it's tasty. --Kelly Flynn, Amazon.com
Reader Reviews:
Unputdownable, I'll give it that. (0/0 people found this helpful)
As other reviewers have stated, the depth of research Brown has made prior to writing this novel is extensive - definitely a must where credit is due.
However, the plot is weak. Clichéd characters, and a progressively over-the-top storyline pushes it beyond the boundaries of plausibility. It's a standard thriller - a love interest, a quest for answers, a twist or two at the end. There's nothing really new there.
Brown presents the reader with two sides of the ages-old debate; science vs religion. However, he seems to personally lead towards neither, but rather than provoke the reader's thoughts, which is the intention, the reader is left instead with an empty chasm. I pin it down to how lurid the tale becomes as it develops, as mentioned before. You finish reading it with a sense of "...Oh, right."
On a positive note, it's fast paced, and each new development (in the first five sixths of the novel, anyway) does keep you wanting to read on. It's definitely a page-turner. Three stars.
Best Page Turner Yet (0/0 people found this helpful)
This is a great story, easy to read to.
I have not read such a brilliant plot and story for quite sometime.
There are some great twists at the end and it is a roleer coaster ride through out.
My only criticism is that it is to easy a read, and some over fantastical bits in the book. Also I should point out That there is no link historically between the Illuminati and the Elite Hasassins of Medievel Jerusalem.
Page turner of the best kind.
This is a book readers MUST READ!
Great book however slightly unrealistic (0/0 people found this helpful)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and the art and building knowledge featured was amazing. However some of the book was a little far fetched e.g. Langdon jumping out of the helicopter and miraculously surviving. What was that all about? Overall a bit gory but by far my favorite Dan Brown novel!
I dont read much books but.... (1/2 people found this helpful)
I dont read much books but this book got my attention and i couldnt put it down. I would recommend this book to anybody looking for a great thriller!!
Excellent, gripping and fast moving. (0/0 people found this helpful)
Bought this after I read DVC - this is just as good a read and a gripping story.
Maybe not as 'realistic' as the DVC but it is just as good. There are some parts which are a little OTT and some plainly rediculous - so you have to take those with a pinch of salt.
Can't wait for the Script Writers strike to finish so they can get on with the movie!
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Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English
Books -> Refinements -> Age (feature_two_browse-bin)
Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Paperback