Inferno (by Dan Brown): Book Review

Inferno is a typical Dan Brown Novel. It is not in the same league with 'Angels & Demons' and 'Da Vinci Code'. However, it is better than 'The Lost Symbol'.

For me, 'The Lost Symbol' was a disaster. I could not even complete reading the book. Hence, 'Inferno', for me, is a sort of comeback by Dan Brown. And one of the plus points of 'Inferno' is that it comes back to Italy. This time, it is - Florence (& to certain extent - Venice).

Surprisingly, I followed the same path, that was followed by Robert Langdon in Inferno while moving from Florence (Firenze in Italian) to Venice (Venezia in Italian), during recent travel. So, it made much more impact.

Brown tried to explain the city of Florence in detail (in fact, Inferno can also be used as Tourist Guide for Florence ;)). It is a lovely city and no words can fully justify its beauty. It was the heart of Italian Renaissance. There are countless magnificent artworks and historical structures in the city. Il Duomo stands out! This huge structure with its unique Dome adorns the skylines of the city. Piazzale Michelangelo (Michelangelo Square) offers the marvelous panoramic view of Florence.

So.....

Our Protagonist, Harvard Symbologist- Robert Langdon, travels to Florence to save the world. The antagonist, a mad scientist, is inspired by the work of Dante, especially Divine Comedy. Langdon follows the clues/codes based on Dante's literature. He travels across countries to solve this mystery. As in every novel of Dan Brown, Robert is assisted by a strong female character - Sienna Brooks.

Langdon comes across many people during his journey. Are friends really friends? Is he good or bad? Will he succeed in stopping the maniac? Can he decipher all the codes in time?

You will get the answers in 'Inferno'. It's a typical Dan Brown entertainment with familiar twists, plot and direction. It takes a while to start. Then it catches the speed. It is fairly successful in holding the interest of the reader. The end is not what we expected for. It shocks you. It catches you unawares.

I still maintain that 'Inferno' is no 'Angels & Demons' Or 'Da Vinci Code'. But at the same time, it is a good read. Inferno has all the ingredients of typical Dan Brown Thriller. An amalgamation of spirituality and futuristic science!

As reported by HollywoodReporter, Inferno will be adapted to the big screen by Sony Pictures and made into a movie (Proposed Release Date: December 18, 2015). Tom Hanks shall reprise the role of Professor Robert Langdon, while Ron Howard shall be back as the Director.

We are glad that Dan Brown is back with 'Inferno'. Let Robert Langdon take you through the secret passages of Florence and Venice with the company of famous artworks of magnificent artists, like - Dante, Botticelli and Michelangelo!