Inferno: Book Review by Arlene.
Summary:
Professor Robert Langdon wakes up in a hospital in Florence, Italy and does not how he got there. He has amnesia. The last few days is a total blank.
Doctor Sienna Brooks is taking care of Langdon when a female assassin tries to kill him. With the help of the Sienna, Langdon escapes the assassination attempt. Both flee the hospital and get to safety at Sienna’s apartment.
Together the two try to figure out what is going on. Langdon finds a cylinder inside a hidden part of his jacket with a bio-hazard sign on it.
They decide to open it.
Inside is an altered map of Botticelli’s Map of Hell, which was Botticelli’s vision of Dante’s Inferno.
At the bottom of the map was a clue: “The truth can be glimpsed only through the eyes of death.”
Langdon asks, “Why the hell am I carrying it?”
Review:
My opening line for Inferno is this:
“If you are a fan of Dan Brown‘s novels and have not read this one yet, you should.”
I know there were many conflicting views when this novel first came out that it was just another one of Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon’s romp through Europe chasing the bad guys.
In our book club we always give you our honest opinions.
True to form, Dan Brown captivates the reader once again. If you have ever had any interest in reading Dante Alighieri’s dark epic poem The Inferno, but felt it would be too daunting a task, you don’t have to.
Dan Brown will take you through the depths of this epic work with his own insight while reading this riveting novel.
Keeping in mind that this is fiction and a product of the author’s imagination and not entirely fact. Parts of the poem are woven into this story at just the right times.
You will be transported on a journey deep into the heart of Italy and eventually into Istanbul,Turkey.
Robert Langdon, the Harvard Professor of Symbology, will once again lead you on the journey. In my opinion, Inferno is one of the best so far.
You will be introduced to many other interesting and unique characters along the way. I believe you will enjoy the fast paced changing narrative throughout.
Personally, once again, I enjoyed his descriptive narrative of the art, architecture, geography, science and finally the views expressed of the over population of humanity on our planet and in the mind of the brilliant scientist who came up with his own theory on how to control it.
You will be asking yourself, “Is he a mad scientist or a forward thinking genius?”
At the point in the book where you think you are getting it then POW the ending of the book was not expected and
surprising and it comes to a great conclusion that makes this novel well worth the read.
The novel follows Dan Brown’s usual formula and I found the short chapters to be easy to follow and easy to put down and pick up again.
I enjoyed the brilliant visual descriptions to the point that I just had to get up and find my books on Italy and see for myself the beauty of the architecture and landscapes and seascapes being described on the pages of this book.
The twists and turns of the story kept me turning the pages day after day. We are all busy these days and I did not want to miss any of it so I set aside the time that I had to read this novel.
Shocking as the ideas of over population and the answer to it seemed, I felt they brought to the forefront ideas of in depth discussions on how our planet will survive in the future.
Brilliant minds need to be nurtured and taught that all humanity depends on our planet’s survival for our children and grandchildren and beyond.
This world keeps turning and our life spans are very short all things considered and destruction is not the answer to survival. We keep hearing about new viruses all the time and how they multiply and spread throughout the people all over this planet. Those brilliant minds will be the future survival of mankind.
If you follow a religion and believe what you are taught or do not follow any religion the ideas in this book will enlighten you.
I can almost guarantee the next time an occasion occurs and you say “What The Hell??”, you will think of this book!! It’s Hell Raising!!
Get a copy of Inferno here on Amazon. Or, listen to it for free with an Audible trial.
See our Inferno Book Club Discussion Questions or check out our other Mystery/Thriller/Crime reviews!
Have you read Inferno? What did you think of it?
Great review! I am a fan of these series of books. Da Vinci Code is still my favorite. Angels and Demons was also good. I have to confess I have this book in my cupboard for a while and I haven’t read it yet. I initially bought it to read it before the movie came out but I was not able to do it as planned. I also have Gunslinger pending to read and I’m planning to buy Ready Player One. After reading your review I’m interested again in reading the book so thanks!
Nice to hear from you Dira! The Inferno was an absorbing read for me. I am also a fan of Dan Brown and like you The DaVinci Code is my favorite too. I never get tired of watching the movie. I hope will get the chance to read Inferno! Sometimes there are just so many good books coming our way it is hard to choose!! I appreciate your comments on my review!
I’m a die hard fan of Dan Brown. I’ve got a collection of all his books. I loved all of his works, particularly those involving the main character in Da Vinci Code, Robert Langdon. I finished reading Inferno a few years ago. It is definitely a good book that rivalled Da Vinci Code.
Thanks for your comments Kenny. I agree with you. While reading Dan Brown has the enormous talent of making the reader feel they are right there in all the fabulous locations around the world! These books are so interesting and intriguing and the movies were great also. I am really looking forward to Inferno coming to theaters soon. Nice to hear from you!
Hi Dinh, I’m so glad you did a review of this book, to bring it to your readers’ attention. I read it some time ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it! I do, at times, persevere with a book even if it’s a “difficult” read, because I know it will get better, it’s just off to a slow start. However it’s not my ideal way to enjoy a book. What I loved about this is…no waiting for the thrills to start. I prefer being pulled in and getting swept away in a thriller.
Hi Hindy!
I really enjoyed the pace of Inferno. It was exciting from the start and it just kept on going. I bet the movie is going to be great as well. You know Tom Hanks is always a good actor so I wouldn’t be surprise if this becomes a blockbuster movie!
I also enjoyed the overpopulation debate that came up. The thought provoking themes of Inferno kept me sucked in right from the start.
Thanks for stopping by at Arlene’s Book Club!
Inferno was a fantastic book!
I enjoyed the thought provoking topic and the lesson on Dante’s Inferno.
Hi Peter Thank you for your comments on Inferno. I totally agree. I have just read an article that says the movie release date is October 28th of course starring Tom Hanks and joining him are Felicity Jones and Ben Foster and directed by Ron Howard. Ron Howard states in the article “It’s about making a movie when we all believed and agreed we had something exciting, fun, and worthy to share.” I am really looking forward to seeing this one!
I’d really like to visit Istanbul one of these days. I like that Brown has incorporated these gorgeous geographical locations — Italy to Turkey — as the backdrop for his new thriller. Also, you bring up an interesting point: mad scientist or a forward thinking genius? Is one essentially a euphemism for the other dysphemism? =)
Hi Lonna So nice to hear from you! I hope you do get to visit Istanbul one day!
I do feel that at the end of this novel my point was exactly as you stated being mad scientist or forward thinking genius is right on point. Mad scientist was the forward thinking genius. I believe the “mad scientist ” knew the world would have to examine his theory of the world crises of overpopulation and planted his threat to end it all while at the same time knowing the world could not and would not let the end happen. I really appreciate your insight into my review of this most interesting novel!
You wrote a really good review of this book. I have not read it but you may have convinced me otherwise. You said there are many characters and different narrative throughout the book? I like that while reading. I think it keeps things fresh and interesting. I will recommend this book to my family memebers as well. Thanks!
Hello Summerly.
I found the characters in this book to be unique and exciting to follow along the storyline. Dan Brown captured their uniqueness in his narrative also so that in my opinion the reader was able to have the visual in their mind as they were reading. I think this book has all the makings to be turned into a great movie!! Thanks for your comments we really appreciate hearing from our readers!
Great review! I loved, loved, loved the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, but I never knew there were more than those. I’ll definitely be checking this book out when I finished my current reads. I’m a huge fan of reading as well, and a good paperback book is just what i’ll need soon. Thanks for the great review!
Hi Pete Great to hear from you! We really appreciate the feedback we get from our readers. As you can tell from my review I felt Inferno had everything a great novel should have. It is a great read and I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by!!
Suspense,history, belief, and drama – a perfect concoction. Dan Browns, Inferno has it all. The opening pages of the book definitely create suspense. Great review and I loved the book 🙂 You did a great job of discussing the book. I love Dan Brown books!
Hi Matt’s Mom Wow I think you are a fan of Dan Brown also!! Thanks for your positive comments. I agree with you that this book has it all and it sure kept me turning the pages. I am looking forward to the movie and especially Dan Brown’s next book. I hope he is working on that right now!!
Hi Arlene,
Robert Langdon was in the Da Vinci’s Code as well right? If he is, I bet this book will be as good as that. I like this kind of stories. Where it makes you think and find yourself puzzled. And what is Audible?
Hello Von Yes Robert Langdon was the central character in the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons. Both made into movies. Now with Inferno we once again have a great book that gives us an exciting reading experience with historical facts along the way. Thanks for your comments and audible is a way to listen to the book being read instead of reading it yourself. You can go on Amazon and find how to do that if you are interested.
I had to read and study (at least parts of) Dante’s poem ‘La Divina Commedia’. I am Italian, and in school in Italy you just can’t escape Dante! It is EXTREMELY obscure for an Italian, I can’t imagine for an English speaker! But it’s cool to study it, especially when a good professor guides you through it and make you appreciate its ‘intricacy’. The Inferno is especially rich of powerful images and great lines (other than being the most obscure part, in line with the location hehe.) Anyway, that’s a reason why I’d like to read this book. It’s going to be cool to see Dante’s poem connected to the modern days! I hope I’ll make it before the movie!
Hello Barbara I enjoyed reading your comments on Inferno. I think being no stranger to the intricacies of this epic work will make you appreciate how Dan Brown wove it into this story and created such interesting characters to bring it all to life on the page. Thanks!
Exactly! I’m very curious!
My Mom’s birthday is coming up and she loves these types of books!!! I have been searching for something to get her and I believe I found it! Thank you!!
Hi Rachel Happy Birthday to your mom! Thanks for your comments and I hope she enjoys this book as much as we did. Someone said there is a movie coming out based on this novel so I will be watching out for that announcement!
oh, I have to put this on my to-read list for this year. I am currently in the middle of way to much work, but in a few weeks it’s reading time, and this is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you. Blessings!
Hello Claudia Thanks for your comments and interest in reading Inferno. Hope you enjoy it!
I read both “Angels and Demons” (which I did not like) and “The DaVinci Code” (which I was pretty lukewarm over), but a friend suggested that this one might be a better fit for me. I think I already have it on audible, so I’ll be sure to check it out!
Hi Melinda I know everyone is not a fan of Dan Brown’s novels but maybe this one will interest you. If you do decide to read it we would love to hear back from you on whether you enjoyed it or did not care for it. Thanks for your comments.
Hi Arlene,
The book looks interesting. I love reading novel with fast-paced scene. I am sure this book is my favour. Thanking you for your sharing. Inferno will be one of the books in my bookshelf.
Hi Billy This novel is fast paced and the storyline kept me interested throughout. The ending was a surprise and very well written. Thank you for your comments.
Neat! I’ve admit I’ve lost touch with Dan Brown’s writing. I read the first several Robert Langdon books and enjoyed them but drifted away from them in recent years. Your review has reminded me how much fun they were (are). I’ll put “Inferno” on my list of books to enjoy in the near future!
Hi Kevin Nice to hear from you. Like you I began reading other writers also for a time but this one was sitting on my shelf waiting. I am glad I decided to select it for our monthly selection. Once I started reading it I could not put it down for very long. We would appreciate hearing back from you ! Thanks!