I hated this book. I read the majority of it in annoyed rage. I was surprised, because although all his other books have also been verrrry simple, I felt like they were practically public service announcements for the unenlightened indoctrinated zombie hoards. This one, however, seems to be the polar opposite. It explains to us disposable dullards the concerns of the very wealthy and privileged, that we are using up all their resources and why we need to die en masse.
His story *truly* reflects the views of the most 'upper crust' in our society. What surprises me is that Dan Brown wrote it. I feel as if, now that he's become worth millions, he has joined that utterly inhuman, inhumane, 1%.
His story *truly* reflects the views of the most 'upper crust' in our society. What surprises me is that Dan Brown wrote it. I feel as if, now that he's become worth millions, he has joined that utterly inhuman, inhumane, 1%.
Helpful Score: 2
I slogged my way through the first 3/4 of this book, wondering if I should continue. It was easy to put down. But then, everything started happening. The storyline became very active, & there were more twists & turns than you can imagine. All in all, an entertaining book.
Helpful Score: 2
Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com/2013/07/inferno.html
Inferno is the fourth book in Dan Brown's series featuring Robert Langdon. Angels and Demons, The Da Vinci Code, and The Lost Symbol came before. Robert Langdon is a Harvard University professor specializing in historic and religious symbols. Each of the four books stands alone and centers around a set of such symbols and a current world situation.
Inferno takes on the issue of overpopulation and the symbols in Dante's Divine Comedy. Written in the 1300s, the Divine Comedy is an iconic literary piece with an allegorical look at the afterlife. It is divided into three parts - Inferno, Purgatory, and Paradise. It has been translated into numerous languages and depicted in many many art pieces. Scholars today continue to study the symbols and allegory in the poem.
Like the other Dan Brown books, the action in Inferno starts on the first page and continues through the end. At the start, Robert Langdon finds himself in a situation with no memory of how he got there. He finds himself caught up in an adventure without an understanding of what or who he is dealing with. The book proceeds with and adventurous chase through different parts of the world. Without a spoiler, I will say that the resolution of this book does not come the way I expected. The author makes a pretty strong statement with the ending of this book.
The critics are harsh in judging Dan Brown's literary style or his writing ability. All I know is his books are fun to read. I know what to expect - adventure, chases, a mystery, some beautiful iconic places. This book delivers on all those points.
Inferno is the fourth book in Dan Brown's series featuring Robert Langdon. Angels and Demons, The Da Vinci Code, and The Lost Symbol came before. Robert Langdon is a Harvard University professor specializing in historic and religious symbols. Each of the four books stands alone and centers around a set of such symbols and a current world situation.
Inferno takes on the issue of overpopulation and the symbols in Dante's Divine Comedy. Written in the 1300s, the Divine Comedy is an iconic literary piece with an allegorical look at the afterlife. It is divided into three parts - Inferno, Purgatory, and Paradise. It has been translated into numerous languages and depicted in many many art pieces. Scholars today continue to study the symbols and allegory in the poem.
Like the other Dan Brown books, the action in Inferno starts on the first page and continues through the end. At the start, Robert Langdon finds himself in a situation with no memory of how he got there. He finds himself caught up in an adventure without an understanding of what or who he is dealing with. The book proceeds with and adventurous chase through different parts of the world. Without a spoiler, I will say that the resolution of this book does not come the way I expected. The author makes a pretty strong statement with the ending of this book.
The critics are harsh in judging Dan Brown's literary style or his writing ability. All I know is his books are fun to read. I know what to expect - adventure, chases, a mystery, some beautiful iconic places. This book delivers on all those points.
Helpful Score: 1
I have read all of the other books in this series. I read with great joy, interest and speed. This one does not meet the standards. It is too long, it is not interesting and it just has no story to keep you motivated. I made it 250 pages, it never got any better. I gave up. It took me two weeks of having it sit on the coffee table staring at me to finally say I am wasting too much time trying to make this book better. I give up.
Helpful Score: 1
Having enjoyed Dan Brown's earlier books, I was horrified at the ending of this one-the moral 'rescue' he is espousing in this book is disturbing. I won't give away the ending, but the his 'solution' and pushing of the global population 'crisis' narrative were unbelievable to me. Dan Brown should stop playing God-or telling the reader how we should be fooled by the lack of ethics in his science/technology as God ending. Per Brown's solution, the next great scientist, world leader, etc. would likely not be born at all.
Helpful Score: 1
I appreciate Dan Brown's predictable formula when he writes. This book is close to my heart having lots of family living in Italy, and visiting myself a few times. The story was interesting and as always kept you guessing at what would happen next, and wondering how Robert and his attractive helper would get out of the next impossible situation. I always have my phone close by looking up historical references and images that he is discussing. A really fun book!
Helpful Score: 1
The best book yet. Two excellent themes: The word pictures describing the splendors of Florence, past and present, art and science and history and Italian people. Wonderfully woven into the non stop action and adventure. AND the emphasis on the impending overpopulation of planet EARTH and the chaos which will be inevitable without population controls. I want to visit Florence! and Venice, and am sad about the prospects for the future of the human species when resources are gone. Earth 200 years from now...a very grim prospect. A book with real thinking involved.
And the finale in Istanbul...with glimpses of history and culture interwoven.
And the finale in Istanbul...with glimpses of history and culture interwoven.
Helpful Score: 1
I had to move this up my TBR pile as I was involved in a bookring and I'm glad I did.
Robert Langdon is back, but this time in Venice where he wakes up in a hospital not knowing he he got there. It doesn't take long for us get entwined in this thriller as a picks up from there.
The title get its name from "Dante's Inferno" and the story, codes, etc, evolve around that. I haven't read Dante's Inferno, but it didn't take anything away from, as I will still able to enjoy enjoy it and learn a thing or two.
If you have read and enjoyed Brown's Langdon series, then I believe you will enjoy this one.
Robert Langdon is back, but this time in Venice where he wakes up in a hospital not knowing he he got there. It doesn't take long for us get entwined in this thriller as a picks up from there.
The title get its name from "Dante's Inferno" and the story, codes, etc, evolve around that. I haven't read Dante's Inferno, but it didn't take anything away from, as I will still able to enjoy enjoy it and learn a thing or two.
If you have read and enjoyed Brown's Langdon series, then I believe you will enjoy this one.
Inferno was a huge disappointment. It was not very credible. I felt like I was reading a travel guide of Florence. Some was quite boring....did a lot of skimming.
Pretty standard Dan Brown fare, but good. The story was interesting, although, I do feel like most of the Robert Langdon series are all pretty formulaic. Otherwise, a nice easy read for fans of the series.
This is absolutely my favorite Dan Brown novel. Maybe its because I love the setting so much. Florence and Venice are such wonderful cities. All the facts about global overpopulation freaked me out a little bit. Now I will like to reread Dante's Divine Comedy.
Once again we find Robert Langdon in a race against the clock to stop a catastrophic event. This time however, Langdon has retrograde amnesia and does not remember why he is in Florence and what happened in the past two days.
Once again we find Robert Langdon in a race against the clock to stop a catastrophic event. This time however, Langdon has retrograde amnesia and does not remember why he is in Florence and what happened in the past two days.
I have enjoyed Dan Brown's other books, but it was a struggle to finish this one. The dialogue is terrible (on just about every page a sentence ended with "?!" to indicate excitement), and the descriptions of buildings and artifacts went on..... and on..... and on..... This book should have been about half the length as it was. It was only truly a page-turner for the last 40 pages or so. Very disappointing.
4.0 out of 5 stars - "The power of the human spirit to endure any challenge, no matter how daunting."
Despite my reservations, because of all the hype for it, I enjoyed this 4th novel in the Robert Langdon series. It was a fast paced adventure with symbolist Langdon on the hunt for a 'plague' of some sort that was purportedly hidden in an mysterious underground lagoon by a brilliant genetic engineer and scientist. Bertrand Zobrist represented the epitome of the Transhumanist movement and put his belief into action to attempt to use technology and intellect to create better humans and end the possibility of human extinction because of overpopulation. Though some have panned the book because of the writing style and Brown's tendency for repetition and verbosity on obscure fact points, the novel was to me, pure and fun entertainment. Not only did I get a fantastic lesson in art history and a great 'tour' through Florence, Italy and many other wonderful wonders of the world, I learned a great deal about Dante's Inferno.
Suspend any disbelief and just go along with the ride. I think most readers will enjoy the book and be prompted to do a little investigating and research on their own!
Despite my reservations, because of all the hype for it, I enjoyed this 4th novel in the Robert Langdon series. It was a fast paced adventure with symbolist Langdon on the hunt for a 'plague' of some sort that was purportedly hidden in an mysterious underground lagoon by a brilliant genetic engineer and scientist. Bertrand Zobrist represented the epitome of the Transhumanist movement and put his belief into action to attempt to use technology and intellect to create better humans and end the possibility of human extinction because of overpopulation. Though some have panned the book because of the writing style and Brown's tendency for repetition and verbosity on obscure fact points, the novel was to me, pure and fun entertainment. Not only did I get a fantastic lesson in art history and a great 'tour' through Florence, Italy and many other wonderful wonders of the world, I learned a great deal about Dante's Inferno.
Suspend any disbelief and just go along with the ride. I think most readers will enjoy the book and be prompted to do a little investigating and research on their own!
SPOILER ALERT:
Pages 21 through 544 are almost all chase scenes around tourist attractions with a beautiful, smart woman at your side for no purpose (oh, you already predicted that?)
Pages 21 through 544 are almost all chase scenes around tourist attractions with a beautiful, smart woman at your side for no purpose (oh, you already predicted that?)
Robert Langdon is at it again. Running through Europe, searching for historic artwork and symbols all to save the world from a deadly plague to be released by a mad man in 24 hours. As usual he has a lovely lady as a partner, who has secrets of her own. Lots of characters, lots of twists, lots of fun. I did skim some of the scenery paragraphs to try to get to the good stuff towards the end and the beginning was a bit slow, but once the action got moving I had a hard time putting this one down.
Brown once again sends his hero, Robert Langdon, on a breakneck race through a variety of exotic locales, this time with multiple meandering side trips to describe in detail various buildings, their historical significance, and how Langdon feels about them. Along about page 500, one begins to wonder if Brown is being paid by the word.
In any case, this one involves the search for a deadly pathogen about to be released by a brilliant-but-unbalanced villain. And again, one wonders why the trail of devious clues has been left, because it seems to exist only to give Langdon something to follow.
There are multiple switcheroos here, including an ending that is far more thoughtful than the average adventure tale serves up. Still, I felt it was overlong and stretched credulity to the snapping point. Brown fans will enjoy it; others will have to dig down deep into their reserve of patience to churn through to the ending.
In any case, this one involves the search for a deadly pathogen about to be released by a brilliant-but-unbalanced villain. And again, one wonders why the trail of devious clues has been left, because it seems to exist only to give Langdon something to follow.
There are multiple switcheroos here, including an ending that is far more thoughtful than the average adventure tale serves up. Still, I felt it was overlong and stretched credulity to the snapping point. Brown fans will enjoy it; others will have to dig down deep into their reserve of patience to churn through to the ending.
Very good.
This is the book I brought to Mexico to read while my partner was having a root canal. I'm not sure which of us had a better time.
Excellent, as always. Dan Brown never fails to entertain!
I love the Robert Langdon books and this one didn't fail to disappoint!
Keeps you on edge of your chair
Well, I'm glad to say that I was NOT disappointed by this one. It may not have been as good as The Da Vinci Code or Angels and Demons but I enjoyed it nonetheless. True it did contain a lot of "travelogue" information but I found most of this to be quite fascinating including the descriptions of Florence, Venice, and Istanbul. As usual, it makes me want to learn more about these places and their history -- especially, the Medicis of Florence and the doges of Venice. Someday, I would also like to visit Italy and see first-hand the works of art and spectacular cathedrals and museums.. As far as the overall plot of the novel, I thought it was a great thriller with Langdon and the WHO in pursuit of a deadly virus set to decimate earth's population. The premise of the dangers of overpopulation were also quite overwhelming as presented -- overpopulation of the earth being a disease with global warming, famine, water shortages, etc. being the symptoms. Overall, I would give this a strong recommendation.
This is obviously a thinking person's book, because Dan Brown waits until page 137 to use the phrase "Trust your feelings".
My husband really enjoyed reading this book and had trouble putting it down. He is a big Dan Brown fan.
This is one of those books you really need to finish before making a judgment. Overall I am glad I read it. First, the not so good; as others have commented, it does get annoyingly drawn out at times with many "Where is our next clue sending us" and "We need to get there now!" moments. This happens several times, with the characters being sent from one historic location to the other. As with Brown's other books, many historic facts and details are worked in about the cities as well information about the historic landmarks, the culture, and the people. I did learn new things from reading this book, as many travel guide type historic tidbits were added. However, it is daunting, unfortunately, as it does make the reader want to stop reading, feeling that the plot is limited to only the clues and the characters' immediate need to travel somewhere new. I was feeling disappointed until I reached the last 50 pages.
Now for the good; I did appreciate that present-day social issues were addressed in this book as it is likely to be read by many, and for those who have never thought much of overpopulation before, then the concept should get one thinking as it really is a serious concern. It also deals with the modification of human genetics which is very controversial in our time.
If you go beyond the formulaic storyline drivers of deciphering hidden clues, then I do think the statistics and differing perspectives provided, which address the overarching social issues, will be of value. However, I do feel many readers will not be able to get past the drawn out "action" portions of this book.
Now for the good; I did appreciate that present-day social issues were addressed in this book as it is likely to be read by many, and for those who have never thought much of overpopulation before, then the concept should get one thinking as it really is a serious concern. It also deals with the modification of human genetics which is very controversial in our time.
If you go beyond the formulaic storyline drivers of deciphering hidden clues, then I do think the statistics and differing perspectives provided, which address the overarching social issues, will be of value. However, I do feel many readers will not be able to get past the drawn out "action" portions of this book.
Horrible. The first half is one long chase seen with momentary architectural knowledge. I put it down half way through.
Ah, back to his quality. I didn't care much for the book before this one, so was cautious about it. I enjoyed it a lot! Now... do I really want to read The Divine Comedy? I'll see.
Excellent book, Dan brown presents Robert Langdon like he has never before.
