A Cup of Coffee

Angels & Demons

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Literature & Fiction
Author:	Dan Brown

The Da Vinci Code was a huge best seller in Brazil as it was worldwide. It encouraged its publishers to release one year later the first adventure of its protagonist, Harvard professor Robert Langdon, a specialist in symbols. Having read and found enjoyable the second book, the first volume was lent to me by my she boss. I wasn't expecting much of it, and in a sense, it was a good surprise. The Da Vinci Code has an ending that leaves you wondering... "I can't believe he pulled that one". Angels & Demons finishes with a flourish, its fast paced action never lagging. The problem is that having read one of the books, you mostly knows what to expect from the other.
Like the Da Vinci Code, poor Langdon has to hurry against time solving historical riddles in order to save the day, which in this case means saving no less than the Vatican city and the cardinals shut inside the Sistine Chapel about to choose a new Pope. As in the second book, he is helped by an attractive and incredibly nice looking scientist, resourceful and smart. As in the second book, there is not a hint of sex until the very last few pages. In fact, there is little time for that. Langdon is working barely with a four hour deadline. There is the usual interesting description of artworks, added by information on the process of election of a pope.As in the Da Vinci Code, Langdon has also to deal with a fanatical murderer on a mission. And sometimes the twist and turns seem to be too forcefully contrived too.
It is a fun, unpretentious read, if you are looking for nothing more than escapist entertainment. It is interesting to see how Brown created his own best seller formula and how he has been doing variations over it, or I should say, repeating it. It is not revolutionary nor particularly original, but it is fun enough.

posted by Livia de Almeida @ 9:05 PM