Angels and Demons

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Dan Brown

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Pages: 624 (Paperback)

ISBN: 0552150738

Pub: Corgi Books

Pub date: 2001-07-01

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 595

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:

Intrigue and Suspense (0/0 people found this helpful)

Science meets religion and art in a thrilling page turner. Found myself still reading when I should have been sleeping as the fast pace held my attention. With intrigue and suspense in every chapter with plenty of surprising twists. A very enjoyable read from an author I would probably never have considered, prior to hearing about The Da Vinci Code and its surrounding hype.. It was especially interesting as living near Rome it felt somehow more real. I will view the great monuments mentioned in a different light. I will also definitely be seeking out the best iced coffee in Rome.

I actually preferred this to The Da Vinci Code.

"A hundred thousand miracles are happening every day" (Flower Drum Song) (4/4 people found this helpful)

Robert Langdon a Harvard symbologist is woken in the middle of the night by a phone call that is going to change his life. This phone call may also change our lives.

Dan Brown weaves many story threads in to a tapestry of intrigue. The story takes place over a 24-hour period. A positive thing about this tale is that it is told in a linear fashion with very few flashbacks except when it is necessary for a back story. In this story he treats Robert Langdon's character like Langdon is not aware of many, well known technical items and theories; this may be true of Robert Langdon, but Dan Brown also irritatingly treats us like we don't know these things!

On the surface, we are treated to a "who did it" and "will we get there in time" story. However, we are also confronted with science versus religion. Is science and religion like oil and water or is science and religion just two of the facets of God?

Unputdownable, I'll give it that. (0/3 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 (0/2 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!