Inferno: A Novel

Has it been almost four years since the last Dan Brown novel? Yes it has! In his latest work, Inferno, Brown pulls out the unflappable symbologist Dr. Robert Langdon of Di Vinci Code and Angels and Demons. Brown uses the same formula for his new novel, Inferno, substituting the Bible for Dante. It works. The problem with all Langdon novels is that they happen over such a short timeframe, you don’t get a chance for much character development and very little backstory.

Langdon awakes in a hospital with a head injury, in Italy and without a clue to how he got there; then the game is on. This time-lock story formula and lack of character depth places him at a significant disadvantage that he more than makes up for with interesting facts, plausible fibs and fast paced action. The novel is narrated by Paul Michael who did a good job but a touch monochromatic for my taste.

In my conversations with other readers, over the years regarding Browns’ work, I think either you love him or you don’t love him so much – no middle ground. He is a very polarizing writer because of his formula and style. For me, I just like to sit back and enjoy the ride. He isn’t the most eloquent of authors but I do like the ways he puts together all of the research and the brisk pace he moves you through conflicts.

I strongly recommend that you read his stand-alone works Digital Fortress and Deception Point which are excellent. They do not use the same formula as the Langdon novels. In some ways, they are much stronger works than the Langdon novels. As long as he doesn’t bring out this formula every year, I will remain a fan – this is a definite listen.

I downloaded Dan Brown's latest book as it was released, around 3:30 am, (FWIW, I'm not a bum, I have a spinal injury) and Immediately became absorbed in an utterly fascinating tale! The story is interesting, fast and fierce. I found the reader perfect for the parts and he did everything to bring me in farther. I do not want to spoil the book for any of you so I will only say, if you liked his other works then you will probably like or love "Inferno." I say this because they are very much the same type of books but at the same time very different. I wish all series writers could write that way. I hope you enjoy it as I have.
May God Bless!

I have read all of Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series. This book did not get my emotional involvement as much as his other books.

I felt like they were playing the game "Where in the world is Carmen San Diego". Lots of art facts and locations which I love. But, overall this book was not that great in light of better books available

NOTE: If you have not read his earlier books of the series, read them first. They are much better.

Was really hoping to like this book. Maybe I was spoiled by reading The Da Vinci Code before any of his other books. Even though it wasn't a great literary tome, the Code was fast paced, with good twists and turns and an interesting core tale.

This book is so predictable that I guessed every single plot angle and mystery before they were revealed by the author. Some of the content was nearly laughable and I rolled my eyes throughout a lot of it. The narrator was okay. Found myself thinking of other things while the book was read. Couldn't even finish the book (though I'm sure I guessed the end anyway).

I want to be careful and not go too deep on the story as even the smallest glimpse of plot elements may spoil the gripping narration of a story that literally entered my dreams last night. Seriously, last night I dreamt about the images described in Robert Langdon’s dream.

This is my second Dan Brown book and I worried that I needed to read the earlier books in the Robert Langdon series to fully grasp and enjoy Inferno. Fortunately, that was not the case. Inferno can be listened to as a standalone audiobook and is not fully dependent on the earlier books in the series. The story was compelling and entertaining balancing suspense and dramatic content.

While I listened to most of the book during my ‘lively’ commute on the train, I really think it would have been best enjoyed in a quieter setting where you can truly feel the solemn reverberation of Paul Michael’s voice pierce through your headphones. To say that Michael did a masterful job in narrating Inferno is a supreme understatement. Varying his role between the protagonist and antagonist, male and female characters, American and French accents, and playing the role of omnipotent guide through the fourth wall, Michael helped bring the story to vivid life.

I was a little hesitant to use a credit to pre-order Inferno without having listened to all of the other books in the series, but I have no regrets. Inferno was extremely entertaining and well worth the credit. But I believe it would be best enjoyed in a more serene environment where you can let the suspense hit you without distraction.

Look, he's a storyteller, not a writer. the prose has always been clunky and breathless but the plotting and pop culture themes were fun. this is an absolute DOG of a book. read some professional reviews, not fan reviews, before you decide, because this time the ctritics are right. If you loved the breathless chase from clue to clue and place to place in the previous books, you won't find it here. honestly, it is a pointless, suspenseless plodder

Too little too late

He's fine

Dan brown

You'll SEE.....

Unless - like our cerebral hero Langdon at the opening of Inferno - we find ourselves suffering from retrograde amnesia, it's impossible to not be reminded of the previous Langdon installments when reading this latest clue-seeking romp through the art treasures of Florence and Venice; or for that matter, comparing the previous 3 novels with Brown's latest. Dan Brown has his formula, as do most authors, and there is no sign here that he is trying to fix what was almost broke with his last Langdon adventure (The Lost Symbol). Both Brown and Langdon are in fine form here: Brown sends us on an almost scenic, fact-based excursion through the cathedrals, museums, and art hot spots, and Langdon dodges bullets, the Italian Polizia, untangling a sinister plot (with the prerequisite political statements ala Brown). Brown is nothing if not consistent; so you get what you know you are getting; better than Lost Symbol, not as good as Da Vinci Code; a solid middle grounder. If the formula has lost its luster to you, enjoy the new scenery and history, like I did (easily worth a star).

More so than Brown's previous novels, I thought this was a bit padded (maybe that is because it seemed written for the silver screen, even to the point of describing the minutiae of the on-lookers, the horse-toothed girl getting her picture drawn near the Academe, etc.). As a do-over, and if it was offered, I would do the *gasp* abridged version. I also noticed Langdon has become a little snarky, taking pot shots at the turistas, poking fun at those guide-book toting Americanos, while he should have been paying attention to where he next placed his Italian loafered-foot on the cat-walk (oopsie! look out below).

You want another Dan Brown/Langdon--you got it. A good pizza-read, and who doesn't love pizza? Paul Michael does a great job as narrator and tour-guide.

Langdon wakes from a two day coma in a lab in Florence, Italy, with at best, a sketchy memory of how he got there or what has happened.  A woman Dr., (Sienna Brooks), is there with him but is at a loss of any pertinent information with the exception that his head wound came from a bullet that skimmed his skull. He is in possession of a government issued bio tube with a bio hazard insignia on the side that is programmed to open with only his fingerprints.

Immediately after Langdon regains consciousness an assassin comes after him in the hospital and only with the help of Dr. Brooks does he narrowly escape. When safe, or so he thinks, he contacts the US Consulate and shortly after, "killer", search drones start materializing. The frenzied race for survival and the search for critical, unanswered questions to this ever oscillating mystery is on.  

Reminiscent of The Da Vinci Code, however, the mystery was not as enthralling because of the dark story line of our worlds impending death due to overpopulation, and the weakness that is attacking basic human nature because of it.   Many ancient symbols, artifacts, secret societies, "Alighieri's, - "Divine Comedy" and of course an all-encompassing conspiracy, make up this entry in the Langdon Series.   It may not be fair to compare all of Browns books to the captivating, "Da Vinci Code", but, this is one that I would rather see as a movie with Tom Hanks as Langdon. It would capture the high notes and great action without dousing you with verbiage.  Avid Brown fans will love this because it is a return to the earlier Langdon days. 

Narration was as phenomenal as the gripping suspense.

Without revealing anything the villain had many cynical facets.

The different personalities and the effect of the performance.

An historically accurate adventure.

Great Audiobook.

Brown sticks to his formula - Langdon is running from diverse and dangerous adversaries in order to save the world from a pending disaster. A young, highly intelligent woman falls for him .... but of course. There are a few twists and turns, you can see them coming. Think this might be my last Dan Brown buy.