Overall Rating and Opinion of Inferno

[Kiki7138]

I really enjoyed this book even tho it was similar to his previous books. I did not like the lost symbol at all and this was a refreshing comeback. I knew to look for the twist, but I still did not see this one coming. Like others have said, I had to look up most of the buildings and artwork in order to follow the story, but I got to learn about things that I otherwise never would have known about. Overall I thought the story was very entertaining and would definitely recommend it.

[ladylioness]

As I do with most Dan Brown novels, I couldn't put it down and I always learn something about the arts and history.

[ALRyder]

As I do with most Dan Brown novels, I couldn't put it down and I always learn something about the arts and history.

Yes, Dan Brown is one of the dependable authors. his books are always interesting, and I think most anyone will learn SOMETHING about art history from his books.

I know that people complain that his books have a tendency to be too similar, and I definitely think he follows a formula, but I don't usually mind that either. Inferno for me was a book where I knew what to expect, but didn't at the same time...if that makes sense.... There's always some sort of twist with Dan Brown's books that you don't quite see coming.

[Pratham143]

I haven't read it yet but I don't think it is better that the Da Vinci Code, is it?

[JessiFox]

I enjoyed this book, as usual for Brown's writing, though I did find it to be darker (perhaps also just more eerily realistic?) than most of his other work. I loved the plot twist at the end in particular...it's rare that a plot twist truly surprises me anymore, but it's always a very welcome event.

[shinjiblue]

The premise of Inferno is a good one but the bar set by Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code seemed to have raised my expectations a little too high. While I did enjoy reading this book, for me it wasn't quite up to the level of his others. Mysteries tend to be less fun when you can predict a lot of the action.

He does raise a relevant and sobering point on the issue of global overpopulation, however.

[Kat413]

I also believe that when an author writes a lot of books, it is hard for them to not fall into a pattern. It's frustrating for me however, that he would put such time and effort into the setting of the plot (which was beautifully done), and very little effort into wrenching himself away from the familiarity of all the plots of all his other books. That being said, I would certainly recommend this book. To whom would I recommend it? Either someone who has never read Dan Brown, or to someone who has been warned of this flaw. Will I personally be reading any more of his books? Probably not.

[DBarber0322]

"Would you kill half the population today in order to save our species from extinction?" What a thought provoking question! This book opens with a very powerful and fast-paced couple chapters. Similar to his other books, Brown, takes us on a journey, with Robert Langdon, a Harvard Professor of Symbology, that includes historical structures, gardens, art and artists, educating us on their origin, surviving the test of time, and where it sits today for our personal enjoyment. Seemlessly entwined in all this education is a mystery that if not solved will change the course of history for mankind. The book opens our eyes to Dante Alighieris' "The Divine Comedy" and a mad scientist's obsession and dangerous interpretation.

Overall I give the book a 3.25. The moral question posed in the book is very thought provoking and worthy of consideration. The question has merit because there is enough troubling information regarding population growth that we do not need to guess what will, inevitably, happen one day. What i enjoyed most about this book was looking up all the wonderous structures, gardens, art, artists, etc. Brown so perfectly describes for us. His books always promise a reader such a wealth of information. Without giving up what happens in the end, I will say that i closed the book with a lot of questions and concerns. I did not know whether to thank the mad scientist for what he brought our attention too or weep for mankinds future.

[npandit]

Overall, I wasn't incredibly impressed. Like the Dan Brown's other books, of which I have read several, the plot is designed to be exciting and fast-paced, exploring art and well-kept secrets and larger moral/philosophical questions. Unfortunately, Mr. Brown seems to go about this very much the same way every time. I thought this book was remarkably predictable even to the plot-twist at the end. Furthermore, like the larger problems that so many of Mr. Brown's books attempt to address, the overpopulation issue was regrettably over-simplified. Certainly population growth overall is increasing exponentially, and the characters are correct when they suggest that this creates a problem. However, the issue is dynamic and currently being addressed by governments worldwide in ways that they believe their societies can sustain. An aging demographic (such as is seen in many northern European and Asian cultures like Germany, Sweden, and the Republic of Korea) comes with its own problems as health care costs skyrocket and the burden of financing social security falls on a much smaller working generation. It is imperative that something like overpopulation be addressed gradually, or the world can expect governmental overthrows right and left. However, as much as Sienna and the others are supposed to be brilliant thinkers, they never even think of the havoc that they're wreaking for the next generations as the infected population ages. It really detracted from the realism of the characters.

I skimmed it in the bookstore, but it felt a little too familiar to me, so I didn't really read the whole thing. But the parts I did read were pretty captivating--he does such a good job of creating urgency.

After reading this, though, I think I did the right thing.

[Tinkerbell12]

Was this anyone's favorite Dan Brown book?

-- 29 Mar 2014, 05:53 --

I have enjoyed other books by Dan Brown in the past. Is this book so similar in plot to the others that I will not really enjoy it?

[damla]

I agree with the fact that it is pretty similar to his other books. As powerful as it still is, I would not mind seeing him out of his comfort zone.

[jamespoet]

I do not care for Dan Brown, and this book helps support for my opinions. His 'research' is full of inconsistencies (most evident in THE DAVINCI CODE), his characters are halfway developed, his writing style is lukewarm at best, and honestly if I want to read a good book involving religious or other conspiracy theories I would read Umberto Eco (THE NAME OF THE ROSE and FOCCAULT'S PEDULUM are great). Anyway, that's just my opinion, and I am sure others will disagree with me.

[damla]

You know Dan Brown does not suggest that he is writing non fiction right?

-- 30 Mar 2014, 10:51 --

You know Dan Brown does not suggest that he is writing non fiction right?

[ConorEngelb]

As with his other novels, Dan Brown told an exciting story in Inferno, but his writing style was just...off. Not so much so that the book was unreadable, but it was definitely an uncomfortable experience. Oh well, the story was good enough to make up for it. I guess.

[sarah92480]

I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I have always enjoyed Dan Brown's writing; he has a knack for keeping you reading. The short chapters with lots of action make it hard to put down. Also, if you are a history or art (or both) buff, then you will definitely enjoy it. I think besides his writing technique, what I most enjoy about his books is how he incorporates the art and history stuff into the story; I usually have my laptop nearby while reading his stuff so that I can look up the painting, building, etc. that he is referencing. I do also enjoy how he tends to write about somewhat "real life" issues; especially with this novel. It is a good book for any reader, in my opinion.