Dan Brown's Linearity...

In trying to turn over a new leaf from my hedonistic days of pleasure, I have, in this case, tried to do so by turning pages. I have made the bookstore a primary stop in the lack of concrete plans.

I know I'm damn slow. I have only consumed Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" within the last 2 months, when almost every self-respecting novel-geeks had done so eons ago and even the movie is about to be released. I had no doubt that it was going to be quite a read and am not disappointed. Personally, I find the plot pretty linear, none of the twists really shocked me, but you just have to keep on engulfing the pages to find out how exactly the twist will turn out to be. Its fiction, but references to historical facts and real artefacts, made me wish it wasn't. After all, it is pretty much in line with what I really feel about religion.

I believe that religion is man-made. I believe there is a God. Religion is simply Man's belief on how he can reach out to his God, the only being who holds the eternally elusive answer to Man's question on life. Life, the very cause of his creation. And due to this, like Robert Langdon in the story, I am unable to bring myself to commit to particular religion. Our longing for the actual spiritual truth prevents us from adhering to a set of rules when we spot a shade underneath the sun.

On recommendation of Shanghai Baby, I have also consumed "Angels and Demons". Its also entertaining, although I have slight doubts with regard to Dan Brown's creativity when I notice the uncanny similarity in the outline of both works.



SPOILERS ON "THE DA VINCI CODE" AND "ANGELS AND DEMONS" UP AHEAD...



1) Both plots are triggered by death of a "Grandmaster" at the very start of the story.
2) The lead will be bestowed a beautiful lady companion, who will be the daughter/granddaughter of the "Grandmaster" who just died, and he will be partially obstructed by a well-meaning "Military Man of Power". He will be assisted by a seemingly good-natured "Ally", who eventually turns out to be the "Evil Mastermind". His main nemesis is an ancient "Secret Society" with great connections and influences. "Evil Mastermind" will manipulate a "Pawn" in mould of the politically-incorrect stereotype of villians/outcast(in the form of an Albino and a Arab Black here). The "Pawn" will eventually die a tragic death.
3) Robert Langdon's charm is irresistable and he gets the gal at the end of the story.

I felt like I had read the same story twice over, although the elements differ. Nevertheless, was a worthy read.