Because The Da Vinci Code was such a page-turner I picked up the prequel Angels and Demons (the movie takes place after the events of Code but the book was before). A & D features the first adventure of Harvard Symbologist Robert Langdon. It was also a fun read, but I quickly became very disappointed. It wasn't because the book was less well written or because it lacked the kind of controversy that brought a tense restlessness to my thoughts; it was because it was basically the same book. Langdon's character was literally the same in both books of course; however, even though the other characters had different names their archetypes were exactly the same. There was the cute young professional woman who's daddy (or daddy figure) died at the start of the book leaving a trail of mystery and intrigue. There was the mysterious unidentified villain who lay hidden until a late and shocking plot twist exposed him. Then there his the dark and brutish minion--a religious zealot--who was sent out to accomplish sinister tasks and stalk the every move of the protagonists. All the same characters led to all the same plot and a disappointed reader. My recommendation would be to pick one of the two books, and don't bother with the other.
HOWEVER! I gave Dan Brown one more chance to redeem his ways. I recently picked up his new book The Lost Symbol (lucky for him it was on sale), which is the third thrilling adventure of Dr. Robert Langdon. I'll try not to spoil anything, so I'll just let you know that I was pleased. Brown showed some new creativity in his newest book, but did not lose any of what made his previous books so thrilling. It's definitely worth the read.
Like A & D and Code there was some serious religious controversy. This is probably why I read Brown's books, because I don't normally read any fiction. They pose a good challenge for those with the kind of mind that likes to chew on thoughts and to figure out answers to questions they've never been asked before. The Lost Symbol followed Robert Langdon on a race around Washington D.C. in search of a secret and long hidden treasure buried by the Stone Masons. The biggest surprise of the book, however, had nothing to do with plot twists and who-dun-it scenarios. The biggest surprise was the large volume of pages Brown devoted to outlining Masonic Doctrine (or at least an interpretation of it). Once the mystery had been solved, the villain defeated, and the heroine saved, Brown spent more than 20 pages preaching! The gist of the message? We are all gods, but we've forgotten it. If only we'd remember our divinity the world would be a better place.
I think the truth is that too many people do believe they are God. We've believed that "man is the measure of all things." The immediate question after that is "which man?" Hitler though he had an answer. It was when Adam and Eve were told in the garden that they could be like God that everything started to fall apart. Scripture teaches us that we're not supposed to look within to find divinity; we're supposed to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus (to our death--that's what happens when you take up a cross). Did you know that Jesus doesn't want your life? He doesn't want you to commit your life to him. He wants you to die so that he can live through you--not literally die of course--die to our old way of living. Yes, I can have divinity inside of me, but it's only when I acknowledge that there is a God, but I'm not him! That's when we truly start living.
If you pick up the book expect to be challenged and have fun while you're at it. Oh ya, don't forget IT'S JUST A NOVEL!
Grace and Peace
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