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Fiction. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:The #1 New York Times Bestseller (October 2017) from the author of The Da Vinci Code. Bilbao, Spain Robert Langdon, Harvard professor of symbology and religious iconology, arrives at the ultramodern Guggenheim Museum 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. Origin is stunningly inventive�??Dan Brown's most brilliant a… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member maneekuhi
7 Major Ingredients of a Dan Brown Thriller - Am I Missing Any?
From an Amazon book page, an excerpt of a description of Dan Brown's book: "Langdon battles a chilling adversary and grapples with an ingenious riddle that pulls him into a landscape of classic art, secret passageways, and futuristic
I'm not suggesting that Brown uses a cookie cutter framework to produce his books, but having read all of the Langdon series, I am struck by some common ingredients. So, off the top of my head, I have attempted below to list familiar elements common to some, if not all, of the five books. I would imagine that most Origin readers have read one or more of the preceding books and might enjoy a quick refresher, since it is seven years since the most recent release. Perhaps you will find a few I have missed...
1) Treasure Hunt. Coded clues leading to other clues. Ultimate destination unknown. Via whatever transportation is available from private jets to a driverless Tesla (OR) - Brown does load up his books with latest technology.
2) Travelogue. The focus in OR is Barcelona but we also get to visit Bilboa, especially the Guggenheim Museum there. I'm not a museum guy but check out Bing Images of that place or YouTube videos of the suspended ferry crossing the nearby river, and perhaps like me you will add it to your list of "Places to Visit Before...." Maybe you would also like to see Budapest's Szechenyi Chain Bridge to which lovers have secured padlocks professing their love. Or Parc Guell!
3) An Attractive Woman as co-star. Young, Intelligent, Beautiful, somewhat virginal. No sex, no bad words in a Langdon. Just a few dead bodies, murders and suicides, maybe too many suicides in OR; the last was not credible for me.
4) Bad Guys. Not always clear who they are, nor whom they work for. Often not the people you were expecting.
5) Action Scenes. Especially ones that will look great on film. How about helicopters plucking surrounded heroes off the roofs of buildings? Not really great climaxes though - OR gets rather talky at the end.
6) Teaching Moments. Usually art, science and technology, in OR lots on quantum computers and software advances to improve forecasting future events. Stay with it, very interesting. But also the Palmariana Church and their popes, and statistical physics.
6) Religion/Theology. often the Catholic Church is the subject and not always kindly; sometimes clergy are suspects in the most convoluted of plots. But remember that Langdon thinks of himself first as a scientist. Toward the end of OR, Langdon is asked, "Do you believe in God?"
7) Treating Readers like Mushrooms. A whispers something to B. B gasps. Totally blown away. Can't believe it. The scene ends, the Reader has no idea what was shared. But don't worry, 200 pages later all will be made clear. It felt to this Reader that occurred at least a half dozen times, and it started to get on my nerves. The good news is that as the end approaches, the reader has several open questions awaiting explanation and making for a certain amount of fun in making "educated" guess as to what all the secrets are, including who is the Regent?
The plot of OR is fairly simple and straight forward. A former student of Langdon, a world renowned scientist, claims that he has the answer to the two basic questions that man has been searching for since the beginning of time: Where do we come from? and Where are we headed? (Given that the title of the book is "Origin", when I first heard the two basic questions I immediately assumed that Origin was the first of two books and that there would be a sequel titled "Destiny" But not to worry. Both questions are answered in "Origin". OR are they?) A worldwide presentation has been scheduled. But something happens, and the video with all the answers is not shown. Langdon and co-star must find it and share it with the World.
Did I like it? Yes, but.
Dan Brown books are always entertaining and I learn a number of new things - see numbers 2 and 6 on the list above. I look upon them though as entertainment, and I enjoyed making lots of footnotes, looking at other resources to check some of Brown's descriptions and claims. Critics love to rip him as a not very good writer but I think they miss the point. Check out recent reviews in the New York Times and Washington Post; they are very different. I feel one critic "gets" Brown and his audience and the other critic.... well, draw your own conclusions. (Hint to readers - don't waste your time going to a newspaper's website and trying to do a search. Go to Google and, for example, search for "NYT Origin review".
I don't know if there'll be another Langdon - in seven years? - but if there is I'll probably read it. I wonder though how much longer Tom Hanks will play Langdon.
From an Amazon book page, an excerpt of a description of Dan Brown's book: "Langdon battles a chilling adversary and grapples with an ingenious riddle that pulls him into a landscape of classic art, secret passageways, and futuristic
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science......Langdon races to find answers and decide whom to trust....before the world is irrevocably altered." Sounds exciting, right? But this was a blurb for "Inferno", Brown's previous book. In many ways it could also apply to 2017's "Origin"(OR). I'm not suggesting that Brown uses a cookie cutter framework to produce his books, but having read all of the Langdon series, I am struck by some common ingredients. So, off the top of my head, I have attempted below to list familiar elements common to some, if not all, of the five books. I would imagine that most Origin readers have read one or more of the preceding books and might enjoy a quick refresher, since it is seven years since the most recent release. Perhaps you will find a few I have missed...
1) Treasure Hunt. Coded clues leading to other clues. Ultimate destination unknown. Via whatever transportation is available from private jets to a driverless Tesla (OR) - Brown does load up his books with latest technology.
2) Travelogue. The focus in OR is Barcelona but we also get to visit Bilboa, especially the Guggenheim Museum there. I'm not a museum guy but check out Bing Images of that place or YouTube videos of the suspended ferry crossing the nearby river, and perhaps like me you will add it to your list of "Places to Visit Before...." Maybe you would also like to see Budapest's Szechenyi Chain Bridge to which lovers have secured padlocks professing their love. Or Parc Guell!
3) An Attractive Woman as co-star. Young, Intelligent, Beautiful, somewhat virginal. No sex, no bad words in a Langdon. Just a few dead bodies, murders and suicides, maybe too many suicides in OR; the last was not credible for me.
4) Bad Guys. Not always clear who they are, nor whom they work for. Often not the people you were expecting.
5) Action Scenes. Especially ones that will look great on film. How about helicopters plucking surrounded heroes off the roofs of buildings? Not really great climaxes though - OR gets rather talky at the end.
6) Teaching Moments. Usually art, science and technology, in OR lots on quantum computers and software advances to improve forecasting future events. Stay with it, very interesting. But also the Palmariana Church and their popes, and statistical physics.
6) Religion/Theology. often the Catholic Church is the subject and not always kindly; sometimes clergy are suspects in the most convoluted of plots. But remember that Langdon thinks of himself first as a scientist. Toward the end of OR, Langdon is asked, "Do you believe in God?"
7) Treating Readers like Mushrooms. A whispers something to B. B gasps. Totally blown away. Can't believe it. The scene ends, the Reader has no idea what was shared. But don't worry, 200 pages later all will be made clear. It felt to this Reader that occurred at least a half dozen times, and it started to get on my nerves. The good news is that as the end approaches, the reader has several open questions awaiting explanation and making for a certain amount of fun in making "educated" guess as to what all the secrets are, including who is the Regent?
The plot of OR is fairly simple and straight forward. A former student of Langdon, a world renowned scientist, claims that he has the answer to the two basic questions that man has been searching for since the beginning of time: Where do we come from? and Where are we headed? (Given that the title of the book is "Origin", when I first heard the two basic questions I immediately assumed that Origin was the first of two books and that there would be a sequel titled "Destiny" But not to worry. Both questions are answered in "Origin". OR are they?) A worldwide presentation has been scheduled. But something happens, and the video with all the answers is not shown. Langdon and co-star must find it and share it with the World.
Did I like it? Yes, but.
Dan Brown books are always entertaining and I learn a number of new things - see numbers 2 and 6 on the list above. I look upon them though as entertainment, and I enjoyed making lots of footnotes, looking at other resources to check some of Brown's descriptions and claims. Critics love to rip him as a not very good writer but I think they miss the point. Check out recent reviews in the New York Times and Washington Post; they are very different. I feel one critic "gets" Brown and his audience and the other critic.... well, draw your own conclusions. (Hint to readers - don't waste your time going to a newspaper's website and trying to do a search. Go to Google and, for example, search for "NYT Origin review".
I don't know if there'll be another Langdon - in seven years? - but if there is I'll probably read it. I wonder though how much longer Tom Hanks will play Langdon.
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LibraryThing member gaillamontagne
Dan Brown is the author of The Da Vinci Code. Robert Langdon is a Harvard professor of symbology and religious iconology. His former student, Edmond Kirsch is a 40 year old billionaire, (kind of reminded me of Elon Musk) who wants to meet up with his old professor. Kirsch plans on letting Langdon
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in on his world changing discovery which Kirsch plans on announcing very soon. The setting is Spain and this announcement of Kirsch's discovery will challenge all the teachings of the Catholic Church, and Christianity as well. Kirsch has spent his life in pursuit of life's questions: How did we get here?, and Where are we going? Kirsch reveals his discovery to leaders of the 3 major religions; Christianity, Judaism, and Islam which initiates an assassination plot. .... This was a hard book for me to follow. First off, many of the character names were difficult for me to remember being in a different language. Second, it was boring in the middle. I skipped 15 chapters 45-60, and didn't miss anything important in the plot other than the introduction of one police character. The ending was intriguing I must say but since I believe in Creator God, I felt I was wasting my time. Show Less
LibraryThing member readingover50
Loved reading this. I read it over two nights, which felt fast considering this is a big book. As with all the other Robert Langdon books, I love how it teaches me new things, in this case about the art world in Spain, and all the amazing architecture there. The buildings he described sound
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amazing, and I never new they existed. There is also his trademark religion and conspiracies. I didn't guess the ending, but I wasn't that surprised either. This book was pure fun to read. Show Less
LibraryThing member jfe16
Computer mastermind/futurist Edmond Kirsch discovers an earth-shattering secret that “will change the face of science forever” and sets up a dazzling announcement at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. When an assassin cuts down the billionaire moments before he is to reveal this
But there are those who would keep them from revealing the secret, no matter what the cost. Will they succeed in revealing the truth Kirsch planned to announce? And what will that revelation mean for mankind?
The fifth in the Robert Langdon series, “Origin” tackles hidden history and extreme religion in search of the answer to the two most basic questions of man:
Where do we come from?
Where are we going?
With a twisty plot that ramps up the tension and suspense, this narrative grabs the reader from the first page and doesn’t let go until the final unexpected reveal. An occasional “information dump” doesn’t detract from the overall telling of the “origin of life and future of humanity” tale and readers are likely to be left dumbfounded by the final unexpected twist they simply won’t see coming.
Highly recommended.
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astonishing breakthrough, it falls to Harvard professor Robert Langdon and museum director Ambra Vidal to learn the cryptic password that will unlock the secret and allow them to reveal it to the world.But there are those who would keep them from revealing the secret, no matter what the cost. Will they succeed in revealing the truth Kirsch planned to announce? And what will that revelation mean for mankind?
The fifth in the Robert Langdon series, “Origin” tackles hidden history and extreme religion in search of the answer to the two most basic questions of man:
Where do we come from?
Where are we going?
With a twisty plot that ramps up the tension and suspense, this narrative grabs the reader from the first page and doesn’t let go until the final unexpected reveal. An occasional “information dump” doesn’t detract from the overall telling of the “origin of life and future of humanity” tale and readers are likely to be left dumbfounded by the final unexpected twist they simply won’t see coming.
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member voracious
Robert Langdon, the affable and all-knowing historian, is at it again in another history-based thriller. Called to Spain to witness a presentation by his billionaire futurist student, Edmond Kirsch, Langdon witnesses Kirsch's murder, just prior to the unveiling of his greatest discovery. With the
Although very similar in plot to all the other Dan Brown books, I couldn't help but enjoy myself on this cultural roller coaster. A fast and fun read which explores the dangers of modern "fake news" and it's impact on the future of humanity.
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world's religions attempting to hide the discovery and only a few hours to release the mystery before the stored electronic data self-destructs, Langdon and the Prince's fiance, Ambra Vidal, attempt to elude the Prince's royal guard and other armed zealots in a race against time, visiting key Spanish landmarks along the way.Although very similar in plot to all the other Dan Brown books, I couldn't help but enjoy myself on this cultural roller coaster. A fast and fun read which explores the dangers of modern "fake news" and it's impact on the future of humanity.
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LibraryThing member tgraettinger
Another breathless adventure for Robert Langdon. I enjoyed the story, but perhaps even more, I enjoyed learning about some really interesting Spanish architecture and locales.
LibraryThing member TomDonaghey
ORIGIN by Dan Brown is what thrillers are meant to be. Fast paced action with the fate of the world in the balance, high stakes for several interested parties who are will to go to any extreme to secure the secrets and keep their own positions inviolate. Plus a likable hero who manages to save the
Robert Langdon is back racing through another adventure, this time in Spain. Sure, you are going to have images of Tom Hanks in the eventual movie version, grimacing and being brilliant as he works through the enigmas presented, but face it, Mr. Hanks has proven to be a great actor, his Langdon, is complicated enough to carry the action, and we just plain like the guy.
Edmond Kirsch is the rich genius who is out to reveal to the world the answer to two of life's biggest religious questions: Where does mankind come from and where are we going? But just as he is about to announce his findings in a stupendous computer display at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, he is murdered. Langdon and the museum's director, Ambra Vidal must race to save themselves from the killer and his handler and to find the code that will allow them to unleash the information from the bowels of a vast, hidden, encrypted computer of Kirsch's own design. Did I mention that Ms. Vidal is both beautiful and the fiancee of Prince Julian, the heir to the Spanish throne?
Okay, you may be thinking this book is similar in structure to most of Mr. Brown's work, but so what? A Frank Lloyd Wright building is similar in structure to almost all of his other works, but it is in the details of the execution that we find the genius of the man, and the same sits here with Mr. Brown and his work. I say, bring forth another Langdon book, and another and another, and watch the readers race in to gobble them up.
I for one find the vast scope of the fate that balances on the point of Langdon's intellect enjoyable to read about, his use of real places and societies revelatory, the action first rate and the puzzles or reveals more than enough to keep me coming back.
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woman, and allows the woman to save him, while neither lose sight of their own ideals.Robert Langdon is back racing through another adventure, this time in Spain. Sure, you are going to have images of Tom Hanks in the eventual movie version, grimacing and being brilliant as he works through the enigmas presented, but face it, Mr. Hanks has proven to be a great actor, his Langdon, is complicated enough to carry the action, and we just plain like the guy.
Edmond Kirsch is the rich genius who is out to reveal to the world the answer to two of life's biggest religious questions: Where does mankind come from and where are we going? But just as he is about to announce his findings in a stupendous computer display at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, he is murdered. Langdon and the museum's director, Ambra Vidal must race to save themselves from the killer and his handler and to find the code that will allow them to unleash the information from the bowels of a vast, hidden, encrypted computer of Kirsch's own design. Did I mention that Ms. Vidal is both beautiful and the fiancee of Prince Julian, the heir to the Spanish throne?
Okay, you may be thinking this book is similar in structure to most of Mr. Brown's work, but so what? A Frank Lloyd Wright building is similar in structure to almost all of his other works, but it is in the details of the execution that we find the genius of the man, and the same sits here with Mr. Brown and his work. I say, bring forth another Langdon book, and another and another, and watch the readers race in to gobble them up.
I for one find the vast scope of the fate that balances on the point of Langdon's intellect enjoyable to read about, his use of real places and societies revelatory, the action first rate and the puzzles or reveals more than enough to keep me coming back.
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LibraryThing member Clara53
As always with Brown - a fantastic plot. You just have to look past the usual "Langdon-and-damsel-in-distress-flight/pursuit" model and see the bigger picture which Dan Brown provides as no other. Unlike his "Inferno", this novel is much more optimistic in the end. And like all of his books, it
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does make you think. And of course one always learns a lot - on a host of subjects. Seemingly quite ubiquitous questions: where do we come from? where are we going? They've been posed before, numerous times; and the same goes for the friction between creationists and evolutionists. But the way Dan Brown spins it - one has to marvel. His description of the difference between patterns and codes - very clever. But what about DNA!? and exception?... And what about morality and ethics existing only in the realm of religion as many claim? Debatable? Yes... Makes you stop and think. Enjoyed every minute of this book!... Show Less
LibraryThing member koalamom
Robert Langdon does it again. He gets into the middle of a major adventure that he doesn't know he is even going to be in - or wants to - and in the span of a few hours finds a totally unexpected answer.
Couldn't put it down.
Couldn't put it down.
LibraryThing member marysneedle
I love the Robert Langdon stories and this was a roller coaster ride, however, it was a bit predictable, and the whole revelation that we had to wait til almost the end, was a bit of a let down. Not as world shattering as I had expected. I did really love "Winston", which may have really been what
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the story was about with a bit of a terminator warning for all of us. Even though this is not the best Langdon story, all in all it was an enjoyable read and did keep me on the edge of my seat even though I half suspected the outcome of most situations. Hoping the next one is better and not so much following a format. We want surprises and unexpected twists. Dan Brown is a much better writer than this book expresses. Show Less
LibraryThing member kjensen55
Like most of Dan Brown's books you get drawn in within the first few pages. The descriptions of art and architecture make you want to travel to the locations featured in the story. I really enjoyed the pace of the novel, and the conflict developed between technology and religion. Some of the people
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elements such as the relationship between the prince and Ambra seemed to distract from the story rather than add to it. It also felt like symbolism to a backseat to art in this book which I am somewhat ambivalent about. Show Less
LibraryThing member kinwolf
Same recipe as all the previous books. So I don't read Dan Brown books for the surprise effect, but for the research in them, and this one doesn't disappoint. An enjoyable read, and the ending is not a fizzle like Inferno was(imo)
LibraryThing member marsap
Robert Langdon, Harvard professor of symbology and religious iconology, is back! Robert arrives at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao to attend a major announcement. The host Edmond Kirsch, a forty-year-old billionaire and futurist, and one of Langdon former students, plans to reveal to the world a
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breakthrough . . . one that will answer two of the fundamental questions of human existence; where do we come from and where are we going?. But as the event continues, everything suddenly erupts into chaos, and Kirsch’s precious discovery teeters on the brink of being lost forever. Langdon is forced into a desperate bid to escape Bilbao with Ambra Vidal, the museum director (and future Queen of Spain) 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. As with any Brown book, I loved the incorporation of the setting (in the case Madrid and Barcelona—one of my favorite cities), the art of one of Spain’s most famous artist—Gaudi, the science of biology and artificial intelligence—and the symbology and the puzzle of it all. And of course we have to bring in the Catholic Church and a fringe religion. This book is quite the romp—loved it all. 5 out 5 stars. Show Less
LibraryThing member DrApple
Dan Brown has become so formulaic that it's hard to enjoy his new books. We once again have the beautiful girl who joins with Robert Langdon as they try to escape assassins and solve a mystery to bring information to the world. Te Catholic Church is involved, as always, and the mystery may change
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the way the world views religion. It is well written, but it becomes a trudge since the plot follows such familiar lines. Show Less
LibraryThing member KarenHerndon
Dan Brown books are always good, I think.
This one is no different.
A mystery page-turner with always those secret societies/clubs/ groups.
This one indeed had all that but in my opinion it wasn’t “quite” up to his past reads. If the past reads were a 10 (on 1-10 scale 10 being the best), I’d
This one is no different.
A mystery page-turner with always those secret societies/clubs/ groups.
This one indeed had all that but in my opinion it wasn’t “quite” up to his past reads. If the past reads were a 10 (on 1-10 scale 10 being the best), I’d
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say this was a 9. Still worth the read though. Show Less
LibraryThing member hobbitprincess
I enjoyed this book as I have enjoyed Brown's other novels. This makes me think, and I appreciate any book that makes me think and consider the world in a different point of view. I enjoyed the thrill of the chase, so to speak, when Langdon and Ambra go in search of a password they must have. I did
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struggle with the method that Kirsch used to prove the origin of life - perhaps I don't understand computers enough. Still, in my mind, it didn't prove a thing. Brown leaves the issue open with several well-placed questions that indicates the reader must make up his/her own mind. Show Less
LibraryThing member damcg63
Story not as crisp as others, but entertaining enough. Seemed to end gradually rather than at a climax. This was more of a vehicle for the author to discuss religion and science....which was ok - just different.
LibraryThing member DonnaMBrown
Once again, Robert Langdon is thrust into chaos with a female counterpart and both are on the run to discover and share the truth. Brown's story is mixed with popular landmarks and historical facts, a consistent and enjoyable trend with his books. The mystery is entertaining with some unexpected
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twists in the end. Always thought provoking for me. An enjoyable read that I recommend. Show Less
LibraryThing member adam.currey
I'm a big fan of Dan Brown, and his latest did not disappoint. There's not a great deal to say here, other than if you're a Dan Brown fan, you'll love it.
LibraryThing member bookhookgeek
Kind of dumb and not very thrilling. All the "secrets" were pretty obvious.
LibraryThing member Guide2
A well built mystery novel with an interesting topic.
LibraryThing member JRlibrary
Ever since the DaVinci Code came out, I’ve been unable to remember what I thought Robert Langdon looks like; now, he just looks like Tom Hanks. :-(
Enjoyed this and totally agree with Kirsch on where he thinks we’re going. Halfway there already!
Enjoyed this and totally agree with Kirsch on where he thinks we’re going. Halfway there already!
LibraryThing member Schneider
Hmm, while I love reading about Dan Brown's Robert Langdon and the multiple precarious situations he has found himself in over the years, this I thought was not all that great. The antagonists, though threatening didn't seem that daunting and didn't leave me wanting more as Brown's stories usually
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do. The story was intriguing and thought provoking, but it I never had the ominous devil on his heels page turning story line like I'm used to. I sure Langdon will return and Brown's writing will remain superb, but hopefully the story lines will be cranked up a notch or two. Show Less
LibraryThing member indygo88
Robert Langdon is back, this time in Spain. Langdon attends an unveiling event at an art museum, presented by technology whiz and controversial futurist Edmond Kirsch (who was also a student of Langdon's once upon a time). His presentation, which had promised to reveal discoveries he had made in
Like all of Brown's Robert Langdon books, this one follows a similar trajectory. Langdon finds himself in the middle of a controversial episode with a leading lady, they team up and must evade mysterious killers, all while trying to uncover secrets. Throw in the usual political and religious controversies, and you're off on a "new" adventure.
The Robert Langdon books are sort of one of my guilty pleasures, although I find myself becoming more and more critical each time I read one. The writing is not spectacular -- it's overly dramatic and often unrealistic as many thrillers are, and Brown's overuse of italicized unspoken thoughts grates on my nerves. But I've always enjoyed them for the "fun" factor: following the clues and symbols in order to figure out various puzzles. However, there really wasn't much at all of that in this one, and I missed it. The plot itself was just okay, but I think it would've been more enjoyable had it contained some of those puzzle elements. This one followed more of a traditional thriller story, which in my view, made it fairly unremarkable.
Brown does do an exceptional job in exploring and re-creating various geographical and architectural locations. Rarely do I want to travel and explore as much as I do after reading one of his novels, and this one was no exception. I'm ready to hop on a plane and explore some of Spain's architectural jewels. Though I was more or less disappointed in this overall novel, the rich and intriguing descriptions nearly make the reading worthwhile.
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regards to the age-old questions Where do we come from? and Where are we going?, is cut short by his brutal murder, witnessed by millions of people, courtesy of live streaming. As chaos ensues, Langdon and museum director Ambra Vidal become immediately caught up in the commotion and flee in an effort to find answers. Like all of Brown's Robert Langdon books, this one follows a similar trajectory. Langdon finds himself in the middle of a controversial episode with a leading lady, they team up and must evade mysterious killers, all while trying to uncover secrets. Throw in the usual political and religious controversies, and you're off on a "new" adventure.
The Robert Langdon books are sort of one of my guilty pleasures, although I find myself becoming more and more critical each time I read one. The writing is not spectacular -- it's overly dramatic and often unrealistic as many thrillers are, and Brown's overuse of italicized unspoken thoughts grates on my nerves. But I've always enjoyed them for the "fun" factor: following the clues and symbols in order to figure out various puzzles. However, there really wasn't much at all of that in this one, and I missed it. The plot itself was just okay, but I think it would've been more enjoyable had it contained some of those puzzle elements. This one followed more of a traditional thriller story, which in my view, made it fairly unremarkable.
Brown does do an exceptional job in exploring and re-creating various geographical and architectural locations. Rarely do I want to travel and explore as much as I do after reading one of his novels, and this one was no exception. I'm ready to hop on a plane and explore some of Spain's architectural jewels. Though I was more or less disappointed in this overall novel, the rich and intriguing descriptions nearly make the reading worthwhile.
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LibraryThing member pierthinker
OK. This is formulaic - after a grisly murder our falsely accused hero goes on the run with a younger beautiful woman desperately seeking a literary/artistic MacGuffin to bring the real culprits to justice and set all to rights. Being formulaic does not mean bad or uninteresting. Dan Brown is a
The MacGuffin here is based around some of the darker aspects of Spanish culture and uses the art and architecture of Gaudi and Barcelona. The big idea here is not really that new and is presented strongly at first, but is significantly weakened at he end of the book, severely reducing the peril of the whole story.
Overall a pretty good thriller with great pace, recognisable characters and plenty of twisty-turny set pieces, but the basic premise fizzles out towards the end.
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master at producing a driving narrative and delivering thrills and spills. 'Origin' does not disappoint in addressing very big ideas and in using 'interesting' facts to provide some of the narrative backbone.The MacGuffin here is based around some of the darker aspects of Spanish culture and uses the art and architecture of Gaudi and Barcelona. The big idea here is not really that new and is presented strongly at first, but is significantly weakened at he end of the book, severely reducing the peril of the whole story.
Overall a pretty good thriller with great pace, recognisable characters and plenty of twisty-turny set pieces, but the basic premise fizzles out towards the end.
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