Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Edmond Kirsch, a futurist and outspoken atheist, is assassinated while giving a presentation at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao that he claims will have a catastrophic impact on the future of the world's religions. His former teacher, Professor Robert Langdon, along with the curator of the museum, Ambra Vidal, set out to try and find another way to reveal Kirsch's presentation to the world, which he claimed would finally definitively answer humanity's two most important questions, 'Where do we come from?' and 'Where are we going?'
As with other Robert Langdon stories, the action is fast paced and moves between several locations in Spain, including Barcelona and El Escorial. As someone who lived in Spain for eight months and visits the country regularly, I really enjoyed knowing some of the settings. The novel includes interesting themes, such as the future of technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence, (Langon and Vidal have the help of a supercomputer built by Kirsch, namely a Siri/Alexa type character called Winston) and connections between science and religion.
This is a fun read, although almost inevitably after the huge build up the final reveal from the presentation is anticlimactic. It also lacks a lot of the symbolism that I particularly enjoyed in The Da Vinci Code. However, for some escapism and enjoyment, I would definitely recommend this novel.
As with other Robert Langdon stories, the action is fast paced and moves between several locations in Spain, including Barcelona and El Escorial. As someone who lived in Spain for eight months and visits the country regularly, I really enjoyed knowing some of the settings. The novel includes interesting themes, such as the future of technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence, (Langon and Vidal have the help of a supercomputer built by Kirsch, namely a Siri/Alexa type character called Winston) and connections between science and religion.
This is a fun read, although almost inevitably after the huge build up the final reveal from the presentation is anticlimactic. It also lacks a lot of the symbolism that I particularly enjoyed in The Da Vinci Code. However, for some escapism and enjoyment, I would definitely recommend this novel.
Interesting technology, views on religion and theory on origin of life. Made me want to go back and reread the earlier Langdon books.
Merged review:
Interesting technology, views on religion and theory on origin of life. Made me want to go back and reread the earlier Langdon books.
Merged review:
Interesting technology, views on religion and theory on origin of life. Made me want to go back and reread the earlier Langdon books.
Merged review:
Interesting technology, views on religion and theory on origin of life. Made me want to go back and reread the earlier Langdon books.
Merged review:
Interesting technology, views on religion and theory on origin of life. Made me want to go back and reread the earlier Langdon books.
3.5 Stars
Robert Langdon, Harvard professor of symbology and religious iconology, arrives at the ultramodern Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao to attend a major announcement—the unveiling of a discovery that “will change the face of science forever.” The evening’s host is Edmond Kirsch, a forty-year-old billionaire and futurist whose dazzling high-tech inventions and audacious predictions have made him a renowned global figure. Kirsch, who was one of Langdon’s first students at Harvard two decades earlier, is about to reveal an astonishing breakthrough . . . one that will answer two of the fundamental questions of human existence.
As the event begins, Langdon and several hundred guests find themselves captivated by an utterly original presentation, which Langdon realizes will be far more controversial than he ever imagined. But the meticulously orchestrated evening suddenly erupts into chaos, and Kirsch’s precious discovery teeters on the brink of being lost forever. Reeling and facing an imminent threat, Langdon is forced into a desperate bid to escape Bilbao. With him is Ambra Vidal, the elegant museum director who worked with Kirsch to stage the provocative event. Together they flee to Barcelona on a perilous quest to locate a cryptic password that will unlock Kirsch’s secret.
Navigating the dark corridors of hidden history and extreme religion, Langdon and Vidal must evade a tormented enemy whose all-knowing power seems to emanate from Spain’s Royal Palace itself... and who will stop at nothing to silence Edmond Kirsch. On a trail marked by modern art and enigmatic symbols, Langdon and Vidal uncover clues that ultimately bring them face-to-face with Kirsch’s shocking discovery... and the breathtaking truth that has long eluded us.
This book really was thought provoking in its conception and writing.
Robert Langdon, Harvard professor of symbology and religious iconology, arrives at the ultramodern Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao to attend a major announcement—the unveiling of a discovery that “will change the face of science forever.” The evening’s host is Edmond Kirsch, a forty-year-old billionaire and futurist whose dazzling high-tech inventions and audacious predictions have made him a renowned global figure. Kirsch, who was one of Langdon’s first students at Harvard two decades earlier, is about to reveal an astonishing breakthrough . . . one that will answer two of the fundamental questions of human existence.
As the event begins, Langdon and several hundred guests find themselves captivated by an utterly original presentation, which Langdon realizes will be far more controversial than he ever imagined. But the meticulously orchestrated evening suddenly erupts into chaos, and Kirsch’s precious discovery teeters on the brink of being lost forever. Reeling and facing an imminent threat, Langdon is forced into a desperate bid to escape Bilbao. With him is Ambra Vidal, the elegant museum director who worked with Kirsch to stage the provocative event. Together they flee to Barcelona on a perilous quest to locate a cryptic password that will unlock Kirsch’s secret.
Navigating the dark corridors of hidden history and extreme religion, Langdon and Vidal must evade a tormented enemy whose all-knowing power seems to emanate from Spain’s Royal Palace itself... and who will stop at nothing to silence Edmond Kirsch. On a trail marked by modern art and enigmatic symbols, Langdon and Vidal uncover clues that ultimately bring them face-to-face with Kirsch’s shocking discovery... and the breathtaking truth that has long eluded us.
This book really was thought provoking in its conception and writing.
There are two elements I always like about Dan Brown's novels--intricately researched content and a plot that raises questions due to its close link with reality. Dan Brown does an excellent job of fusing these two components in his latest novel titled Origin. Robert Langdon once again finds himself on a quest stemmed from the combat of religion versus science. This plot focuses on two questions: "Where did we come from? Where are we going?" Dan Brown books are never an "easy" read because I always pause and do side research on mentioned content; however, that is his goal according to a recent appearance he made on CBS's Good Morning America. As a former science teacher turned technology coach, this book focuses on two of my main interests and heard a hefty 5 stars from me.
Merged review:
There are two elements I always like about Dan Brown's novels--intricately researched content and a plot that raises questions due to its close link with reality. Dan Brown does an excellent job of fusing these two components in his latest novel titled Origin. Robert Langdon once again finds himself on a quest stemmed from the combat of religion versus science. This plot focuses on two questions: "Where did we come from? Where are we going?" Dan Brown books are never an "easy" read because I always pause and do side research on mentioned content; however, that is his goal according to a recent appearance he made on CBS's Good Morning America. As a former science teacher turned technology coach, this book focuses on two of my main interests and heard a hefty 5 stars from me.
Merged review:
There are two elements I always like about Dan Brown's novels--intricately researched content and a plot that raises questions due to its close link with reality. Dan Brown does an excellent job of fusing these two components in his latest novel titled Origin. Robert Langdon once again finds himself on a quest stemmed from the combat of religion versus science. This plot focuses on two questions: "Where did we come from? Where are we going?" Dan Brown books are never an "easy" read because I always pause and do side research on mentioned content; however, that is his goal according to a recent appearance he made on CBS's Good Morning America. As a former science teacher turned technology coach, this book focuses on two of my main interests and heard a hefty 5 stars from me.
Merged review:
There are two elements I always like about Dan Brown's novels--intricately researched content and a plot that raises questions due to its close link with reality. Dan Brown does an excellent job of fusing these two components in his latest novel titled Origin. Robert Langdon once again finds himself on a quest stemmed from the combat of religion versus science. This plot focuses on two questions: "Where did we come from? Where are we going?" Dan Brown books are never an "easy" read because I always pause and do side research on mentioned content; however, that is his goal according to a recent appearance he made on CBS's Good Morning America. As a former science teacher turned technology coach, this book focuses on two of my main interests and heard a hefty 5 stars from me.
Merged review:
There are two elements I always like about Dan Brown's novels--intricately researched content and a plot that raises questions due to its close link with reality. Dan Brown does an excellent job of fusing these two components in his latest novel titled Origin. Robert Langdon once again finds himself on a quest stemmed from the combat of religion versus science. This plot focuses on two questions: "Where did we come from? Where are we going?" Dan Brown books are never an "easy" read because I always pause and do side research on mentioned content; however, that is his goal according to a recent appearance he made on CBS's Good Morning America. As a former science teacher turned technology coach, this book focuses on two of my main interests and heard a hefty 5 stars from me.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Typical Dan Brown, an light and easy page turner filled with lots of historical and current day details of art and locations in Spain.
Merged review:
Typical Dan Brown, an light and easy page turner filled with lots of historical and current day details of art and locations in Spain.
Merged review:
Typical Dan Brown, an light and easy page turner filled with lots of historical and current day details of art and locations in Spain.