Inferno by Dan Brown: a hot formula for success

[Critiq]

One of the worst jeers you can hurl at a book and/or an author is the label: formulaic. Until you come up against Dan Brown and his series of historical mysteries, that is, starting with his powerful "The DaVinci Code." Besides writing grossly formulaic constructions, Brown has a rich feel for subjects that will rouse the interests of readers far and wide.

In "DaVince" the engine of drama was the bloodline of Christ. Who doesn't want to ferret out the hidden mysteries of THAT!?

In his latest book, "Inferno," the document that underlies a tense and suspenseful chase is nothing less than "The Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri and his vision of hell. Here, unfortunate souls who have lived sordid and criminal lives are consigned to the underworld after death according to their vices on earth. Plotwise, Dante's work is interwoven with the issue of overpopulation of the planet, seen as a growing threat that could end in a vast global inferno.

How Brown interweaves a book classic with staging in his favorite cities of Italy, Florence and Venice, is clever, if not masterful. But the style he uses is nothing if not formulaic. It's almost musical in its repeated pattern and tempo. But it's more accurately described as a puzzle.

In a video, a mad scientist proclaims to have created a device that will curtail overpopulation and that he plans to set it off on a prescribed date. Where it will be planted he doesn't say, but he issues a series of clues tied to the text of Dante's work with whom he's obsessed. But so, too, is the laudable symbologist Professor Robert Langdon who, by virtue of an assassination attempt on his life and hindered with a bout of amnesia covering the last few days, the expert most likely to prevent mass destruction. Brown sets off his venerable leading man, accompanied by Dr. Sienna Brooks, his beautiful attending physician, on the trail, employing the investigative pattern referred to above. Here's how it goes:

1. The overall construction is an evolving series of discoveries. Each one begins an episode with a clue -- an object or text that Landon must interpret.

2. With flashes of memory out of his encyclopedic mind and/or pure insight, employing lines and references from Dante's ancient world that describe actual places in Italy, he manages to do so.

3. Before he can do anything with this new lead, his enemies, in the form of that black-haired assassin in the employ of the mad scientist, and/or the gendarmes, show up.

4. After a clever ruse or nasty confrontation -- ofttimes both -- the hero narrowly escapes death or arrest and withdraws from the danger.

5. Brown then uses the the locale and other matters presented in this episode to give us a treatise of facts pertaining to them, things from the arcane knowledge he unearthed during his two years of research. In one instance, he explains why Dante's book is called a "comedy." These expository interludes seem to halt the thrust of the narrative, but Brown somehow gets away with it.

6. We now await the next discovery to set off a repeat of the pattern, but not for long.

This design not only provides us a history lesson along with a well paced drama in which something big is at stake, but it has a few benefits that ward off the evils of what seems a mechanical approach. For one, it provides clarity in the arcane subject Brown loves so much. It serves as an easily grasped platform for him to achieve all the things he wants to in the telling of his tale. And, finally, it has proven wildly successful.

So, before we go damning writers with that dread label as though it's an indecency, we need to consider a whole host of elements that the formula serves. Who doesn't want to be in Brown's shoes... or have his check book balance?

[Carrie R]

So, before we go damning writers with that dread label as though it's an indecency, we need to consider a whole host of elements that the formula serves. Who doesn't want to be in Brown's shoes... or have his check book balance?

I agree. Nice summary. I'm surprised by how much heat Dan Brown takes from other writers. I read 'The Da Vinci Code' and liked it, and I plan on reading 'Inferno.' I don't really mind if a book is 'formulaic' or not as long as it weaves a good tale and keeps me turning the pages.

[Critiq]

Yes, that "heat" is also called envy. Stieg Larsson sells fifty million books and authors who consider themselves his competition find all sorts of reasons for calling him a bad writer. Similarly with Brown. They wish.

[Carrie R]

Yes, that "heat" is also called envy. Stieg Larsson sells fifty million books and authors who consider themselves his competition find all sorts of reasons for calling him a bad writer. Similarly with Brown. They wish.

Yep. And I'm sure Dan Brown is crying all the way to the bank...

[kbhagat7]

I'm reading the Inferno right now and I am completely wrapped in its world. I definitely agree with you about the history lesson. I feel like it's so hard to learn facts about history after you leave high school unless you embrace it as a career. I'm sitting with the book and my laptop researching all the pictures, museums, churches, and references that he talks about. The divine comedy is a set that I'm adding to my "READ NOW" list. Has anyone discovered any other authors that write similar types of books - fictional plot with a historical background and facts?

[Critiq]

Part of my interest in Brown's work stems from my good fortune to have spent some time in Italy, mostly in Rome but other cities as well. His description of "Il Duomo," the unbelievably designed church of Florence, for instance, is right on and great fun to read in the context of a murder mystery. I've been waiting for him to use the Imperial Forum and the Senate of the Roman Empire as a setting. I believe that the Senate building housed the birth of democracy in the world. And, it's in the vicinity of the Coliseum. Any of his readers who are planning a holiday trip should book a flight to Rome ASAP. It will be an unforgettable experience. I wonder if there are "Brown Tours." What an idea.

[Carrie R]

I wonder if there are "Brown Tours." What an idea.

Not so far-fetched either. I just visited Harry Potter World at Universal Studios in Florida. Bet JK Rowling didn't envision that when she wrote her first sentence!

[Critiq]

It looks like Sony Pictures has picked up our vibe. They've bought the rights to "Inferno" for a picture with Tom Hanks returning in the Langdon Role. So, one of these days we'll be seeing him and Sienna racing around all the Italian sites Brown researched so thoroughly. I think I'll reread the book before I see the pic.

[StephenKingman]

I read Inferno last week and was very disappointed by it. I really disliked The Lost Symbol for the reason that it was basically a carbon copy of all his previous books with a little extra dressing here and there. Its not that he is a bad author as such, its just he keeps on releasing the same book over and over and there is little evidence of any evolution from his with his stories. They follow the tried and tested formula of: Man with ancient secret tries to hide the map leading to same but gets murdered by a ritual sacrafice intent on burying the secret. Hero then teams up with hot woman/old woman to try and track down the aforementioned secret, all the while dodging the police and a shadowy splinter group who are also after the same thing. Cue an overblown finale where the significance of the artifect is explained and the hero decides to let sleeping dogs lie and keep it to himself. Yawn.

Im sure Dan Brown wont be too bothered by a few bad replies as hes laughing all the way to the bank but I for one do not rate him as a credible author anymore ad definitely will not be buying anymore of his books because If i wanted to read the same book over and over I would just read Da Vinci Code and leave it at that. 4 out of 10.

[npandit]

Clearly, the design is working, and Brown is able to capture his readers with an interesting blend of facts, research, and the story's pacing.

However, reading the same story arc (of Robert Langdon vs Evil Villian) gets boring after a while, which is why people complain. I, personally, don't enjoy reading the same story arc again and again, but don't care if other people read the book and enjoy it. I understand why you'd feel defensive after enjoying a book that everyone is 'damning', but everyone is entitled to their opinion, and knowing what they like and don't like .

[Critiq]

I might have defended Brown's formulaic writing, but I don't feel defensive about my opinion of it. I gave it with the clear understanding that others have their own and every one is equally valid. Of course. In my particular case, having lived in Rome for awhile with side trips to several cities (including the astounding Venice), I consider him a kindred spirit in his clear love of Italy, the glory of its history and the profusion of art in every corner -- from fashion to cars to movies to architecture. For that, I let the author have his formula and take an extra dimension of enjoyment from his choice of settings.

-- 21 Jul 2013, 18:22 --

In reference to my post about Sony Pictures adapting 'Inferno" for a movie (see above), its expected release date is December, 2015.

[BookCollecting101]

I read Inferno right after it came out. I found (as I do with all Dan Brown's books) that I picked up a variety of interesting information I would probably never have known. He is kind enough at the end of the book to tell us what is fiction and what is fact. The characters are well developed, the plot is likewise well developed and there is always - wait for it --- a surprise twist. I love to find books where I am able to pick up info as well as a good story. I may never visit the places in Dan Brown's books but feel a connection to them from his novels. Enjoying Dan Brown's books has been sort of "my guilty secret" as it seems my literary friends love to bash him and his writing. I don't really care what they think as I read what I want to read.

[aliao5191]

Thank you very much for the nice summary! I was debating about whether I wanted to read it. A friend told me how his books were similar and gave a great argument for not reading it. I'm glad you convinced me otherwise since I've always liked his books. This will now go onto my list for books to read!

[Critiq]

And thank you aliao5191! for your kind comment about my review and the note that it influenced you to put the book on your reading list. My theory about the putdowns that Brown receives is that it comes from the raves his extraordinary success has evoked in the media. For some people, nothing can live up to their expectations when a book is hyped up as much as his. I don't really fault that because I'm probably guilty of it as well, toward books, movies and the like. But I do think you've got to see for yourself and approach a best seller with cool objectivity. In any case, your positive feedback made my day!

[Ainyx]

I think I'll read it now!