Inferno: (Robert Langdon Book 4)

Dan Brown

May 2013 · Robert Langdon Book 4 · Random House

About this ebook

THE #1 GLOBAL BESTSELLER
'A swirl of big ideas and non-stop action' New York Times

Florence: Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon awakes in a hospital bed with no recollection of where he is or how he got there. Nor can he explain the origin of the macabre object that is found hidden in his belongings.

A threat to his life will propel him and a young doctor, Sienna Brooks, into a breakneck chase across the city. Only Langdon's knowledge of the hidden passageways and ancient secrets that lie behind its historic facade can save them from the clutches of their unknown pursuers.

With only a few lines from Dante's Inferno to guide them, they must decipher a sequence of codes buried deep within some of the Renaissance's most celebrated artworks to find the answers to a puzzle which may, or may not, help them save the world from a terrifying threat . . .

Ratings and reviews

Utilising his tried and tested formula, Brown has once again managed to produce a novel of outstanding commercial quality, utilising elements that have become persistent themes through his previous Langdon adventures. A helping of intellectualism, alongside a small dollop of heroism, whilst playing on a powerful female character at a moment in her life that has left her feeling particularly vulnerable, and of course, not forgetting the countless references to famous pieces of architecture and artwork, Brown offers readers a chance to experience a novel that plays with a fast-paced prose, likeable characters, and an unpredictable plot to mix a meal that will delight readers' taste-buds from all over the world. However, do not expect anything particularly unique from this novel. Despite the ability to write in a style that keeps the reader looking for more, Brown does not particularly explore themes that have not been explored before. His most original creation is the character of Langdon, which combined with the controversy of the first Langdon novel, The Da Vinci Code, brought about international acclaim for this author. Don't expect the same. But a good read nonetheless.

The entire storyline is laden with prologue, epilogue to fill pages and chapters. Every instance will acquaint you with unnecessary details of the protagonist's life, most of which hold no bearing to the story. A very poorly written novel. It could have easily been half the book of what it has been written. If you're reading a novel for the first time you may like it. For me, I would like to be paid for the unnecessary hours I had to put in to read it through. Dan Brown, success has made you complacent.

A good book and one that I would recommend if you are a Dan Brown fan. Complex, interesting, intelligent... all the things you would expect from Dan Brown. However, I did not enjoy this as much as the other books of his that I've read (Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, The Lost Symbol, all of which I would give 5 stars). For some reason the story just didn't flow as well as the others.

About the author

Dan Brown is the bestselling author of Digital Fortress, Deception Point, Angels and Demons, The Da Vinci Code, The Lost Symbol and most recently, Inferno. Three of his Robert Langdon novels have been adapted for the screen by Ron Howard, starring Tom Hanks. They have all been international blockbusters.

His new Robert Langdon novel, Origin is out now.

Dan Brown is a graduate of Amherst College and Phillips Exeter Academy, where he has taught English and Creative Writing. He lives in New England.