South of the Border PH October 2017 BOTM Book Review | Origin by Dan Brown


“To permit ignorance is to empower it.” 
― Dan Brown, Origin
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Origin (Robert Langdon #5)
by Dan Brown


Robert Langdon, Harvard professor of symbology and religious iconology, arrives at the ultramodern Guggenheim Museum in 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.

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It's been while since I last read any Dan Brown books because the world of YA Fantasy has taken over my TBR. Good thing our book clubs October Book of the Month was Dan Brown's latest work Origin. This is a super late post because work is killing me as usual.

The last Langdon book I read was Angels and Demons, I think. And that was maybe 5-6 years ago? LOL. I know it's been a while. At least I had the background of knowing what to expect with this new book. I did like The Da Vinci codes breath neck pace and the characters expertise in code breaking. That may be the reason why I was a little disappointed in Origin.

Let me explain. I read The Da Vinci Code when it came out about 16 years ago. I loved the suspense and Robert Langdon's ability to be able to break code upon code set out as obstacles in his quest to find answers. I was at the edge of my seat until the big reveal at the end of the book. With Origin, I already knew the whodunit by chapter 3. There was also next to no thrilling code breaking. This book would actually survive without Robert Langdon in it. The other characters that were thrown in just for the heck of it was the King and Crown Prince of Spain, and the deranged killer out to take revenge for his family. Another thing I didn't like was the allusions to social media and pop culture. Like Seriously?

“Robert,” Ambra whispered, “just remember the wise words of Disney’s Princess Elsa.”Langdon turned. “I’m sorry?”Ambra smiled softly. “Let it go.”

I also don't get why there has to be "Bond" girl in every Langdon book that are not really love interests for Robert Langdon. He's a 60 something year old professor who lives and breath knowledge, no need for girls when he's running around saving the day.

To be fair, I have always appreciated Dan Brown's writing style and prose. It's always an enjoyable intellectual read if I pick up his books. Plus the story does have it's merits. It's fun to think about the questions "Where did we come from?" and "Where are we going?".

Robert Langdon was redeemed though and I think this was my favorite part.

"Langdon was starting to wonder if anyone had actually heard what Edmond was saying. The laws of physics alone can create life. Edmonds's discovery was enthralling and clearly incendiary, but for Langdon it raised one burning question that he was suprised nobody was asking: If the laws of physics are so powerful that they can create life...who created the laws?!"
I think my rating of this book is fair enough.


Rating: ⭐⭐⭐


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