Jan 08, 2005 01:03 AM
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(Updated Jan 08, 2005 07:53 PM)
If you are fascinated by myths and legends, then ?Angels and Demons? will certainly satisfy your palate. This blockbuster dwells upon centuries old secrets combined with new-age technology to give us a heart-racing thriller.
The protagonist of the plot is Robert Langdon, a world-renowned symbologist known for his research on symbols and myths and the secrets involving them. He is, surprisingly, called to investigate the cold-blooded murder of a senior scientist on the verge of a break-through technology. Seared onto the slayed scientist is a symbol, which is the equivalent of opening ? Pandora?s box?. From here begins the tale of riddles, intrigue and mysteries known only to a conspiring few, who will do anything to protect it.
Accompanied by Ms.Vittoria Vetra, Langdon has to unravel the centuries-old puzzle in order to prevent the annihilation of one of the world?s most important cities.
The book is nothing short of a masterpiece. It moves at break-neck speed and the more you read, the more you have to read. Dan Brown has vividly described the city of Rome and the artistic masterpieces it holds without over-burdening the book with excessive details. He makes sure that we are always on our toes, keeps us interested at all times even if it describing about technicalities.
There a lot of scientific terms in the book but the Dan Brown explains them in an easy to understand manner, enabling even a layman to comprehend what is happening. He describes the rituals for electing a new pope in a very fluid approach, educating us in a manner we will not forget.
Robert Langdon is a very lovable character. He is unpretentious, prone to commit mistakes and burdened with his own personal apprehensions. Yet, when the time and situation requires it, he proves to be a man of steel.
Dan Brown has undertaken a lot of research for the plot. The mysteries and riddles he puts forward are not the result of an over-active imagination but are based on true facts and real forces which continue to exist and influence the top-levels of society even till-date.
All said and done, there are a few issues I did not like in the plot. The first place where the book lacks credibility is in Robert Langdon?s abilities. When the mystery has not been solved for centuries, why is it that Langdon manages the same feat in less than 24 hours. It seems too easy for Langdon. Dan Brown should have put the protagonist through a more trying regime before enabling him to solve them. Langdon seems to decipher puzzles in the wink of an eye, when scholars for centuries have not been able to crack the code.
The second issue I could not understand how the creation of anti-matter can justify the existence of God? What is he trying to put across; that science proves God?s existence or that science is God? The book tried to prove the former but I felt it gave more weightage to the latter.
Over-looking this shortcoming, this page-turner will leave you breathless. It is a rare book that manages to entertain as well educate simultaneously this book solidifies Browns reputation as the new-age master of thrillers.
