Once you start it, you won't be able to switch it off!
How does it compare to audio works by the same author?
Excellent
Advantages:
Strong Subject, Easy to get lost within, Adventure seems real
Disadvantages:
Historical errors, Similar structure to Da Vinci Code
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Yes, it is true. I was one of those people who had heard and read The Da Vinci Code well before Angels and Demons even though the former is the sequel released three years later. Does this mean that Dan Brown's first Robert Langdon novel is ay good? Published first in 2000 by Pocket Books, Angels and Demons has actually been branded an international Bestseller and despite selling more copies after the release of its sequel, critical reviews have generally been positive. Is it a 'breathless, real-time adventure with an unusually high IQ' just like the San Francisco Chronicle claims?
Well the story within Angels and Demons is one we are all familiar with, a race against time. Robert Langdon, a Harvard professor and symbologist teams up with marine scientist Vittoria Vetra on a quest that leads them to the Vatican and Rome pursuing a murderer who claims to be working for an ancient brotherhood known as The Illuminati, hell bent on blowing up the entire state. Robert Langdon, an Illuminati specialist doubts the claims, whilst Vittoria is on a personal quest of her own as she hunts down the killer of her father for revenge.
Upon arriving in Vatican City, they both discover a much darker plot is at hand as the Pope had recently just died, the Papal Conclave has began to adjourn to elect a new one. As they soon discover, the four favourites or 'Preferiti' have suddenly disappeared and Langdon is convinced the killer is behind it. So one by one, both Langdon and Vittoria follow each of the clues on the Path of Illumination to try and catch the killer whilst he attempts to kill the Preferiti, one each at one of four locations dotted around Rome. Suspicion, betrayal and secrecy all play a huge part in this interesting thriller and no-one can deny that at times, it is addictively captivating.
The paperback version, consisting of 620 pages means that this is by no means a short read and with over 130 chapters, both short and long gives readers a rare delicacy. A chance to really get lost within it's pages and that is exactly what Angels and Demons does. Written for an adult audience, the storyline is at times simple, but with so many twists and turns you'll see some coming whilst be shocked by others.
The overall story is extremely developed, but always returning to a single point which allows Brown to alleviate from the main drama a little, whilst always bringing the reader back when necessary. What's so nice is the right balance of plot and character driven moments which all in all adds a complex depth to the story that brings in a realistic 3D element that never really is too over the top or too flaccid that it's boring or simply ridiculous, but always interesting and keeps the reader curious.
Brown's writing style is simple and straight to the point, which works differently on various levels. Firstly it allows his characters to seem real and recognisable without the flamboyant romanticised descriptive language. It also allows him to keep things very historical when needed as he introduces buildings and monuments. However at times, what his novel lacks is description. On many occasions you want to read about how beautiful St Peter's Basilica is or how wondrous the atmosphere must be at the Piazza Della Rotunda leading up to the Pantheon, instead of the clod bland expressions you feel from his overview. What this does is put a stop to any rhythm that could have been created or other alliterative devices that could have been so wonderfully slotted in.
What Brown does do however is fit complex lexis so comfortably into his sentences that it almost seems so perfect. The same goes for historic facts and semantic fields, which overall gives the book a very knowledgeable output. The way Brown can create sentences from simply telling facts is at times astounding because he does it in an unnoticeable way, so instead of feeling like you're reading a text book, you are reading a 'real-time adventure with an unusually high IQ'.
To anyone who is familiar with Dan Brown's works will know that themes are very important within his novels especially the one involving religion and in Angels and Demons, these themes are responsible for the underlying suspicion and drama within the storyline. The importance of Religion specifically Catholicism is questioned with regards towards science and where some religious readers may be offended by his comments, he does counter his arguments well with justified explanations so as his story does not sound as biased. The effect of these themes is like a hook to lure the reader in further to get them to question themselves as to which side of the fence they sit. It's a very successful device and one that no wonder has gotten him extensive public attention.
An interesting concept that is at the forefront of the book is ambigrams, where a word can be read both upright and upside down with perfect symmetry. Brown associates this well with The Illuminati and science and plays a huge part in the clues provided. Earth, Air, Fire and Water are all represented in ambigram form in the book as they represent not only the four basic elements of science but also the four locations in Rome represented as religious pieces of work crafted by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
As to be expected however, just like The Da Vinci code, Angels and Demons raised certain questions amongst critics who criticized the historical correctness of the novel, since Brown clearly states at the beginning of the book that all organisations, works or art, tombs etc are entirely factual. The way he writes his novel also suggests that everything he tells the reader is also true. Upon research there are historical errors throughout the book such as the correctness of terms used throughout the Papal Conclave to specifics regarding the science of Antimatter.
A general overview of the way Dan Brown writes his novels also provides a few problems. Upon comparing both Langdon novels, they are structured entirely the same just with different story backdrops and a different 'mystery'. Both start with someone being killed and 'branded' in some way which ultimately leads to Roberts Langdon being dragged in because of his knowledge of symbology, then teaming up a relative of gthe deceased to go on a quest, which in turn leads them on the same path of the main antagonist of the story who is being communicated with by some unknown voice on a phone. This ultimately lets down both novels simply because it allows the reader to be aware that some of the truths told at the beginning are usually a trap which not only takes away the originality of the story, but also some of the surprises that lie ahead. Angels and Demons is a great read that mixes adventure with betrayal and deception and it keeps you hooked throughout. The use of a strong subject matter and historical facts always creates intrigue but the correctness of the claims should never be taken as Gospel truth for the more naive reader. Brown creates huge amounts of entertainment with his use of pace and almost recognisable characters and his qualitative storyline is simply fantastic. It does have its faults, but may are merely ignored as you delve deeper into the religious world of the Vatican and the scientific realm of The Illuminati . . . No wonder it's a bestseller.
*Information*
The Robert Langdon Novels by Dan Brown
Angels and Demons The Da Vinci Code The Solomon Key (To be Published sometime in 2008)
You would enjoy Angels and Demons if you like any of the following books:
The Last Templar by Ramond Khoury The Righteous Men by Sam Bourne
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