Genre: Fiction
My Rating: ★★★★★
1. You are kept at the edge of your seat!
In the beginning of Inferno, Robert
Langdon (the protagonist in every Dan Brown series) wakes up with Amnesia. Throughout
the book, you will only be as up to date as he was. Layers upon layers of plot twists are thrown
at you in almost every couple of chapters. Just when you thought the twist is
settled and was thoroughly explained, after reading a few more chapters, you’ll
realize that it wasn’t. “Wait, there’s more.” Not a dull moment, not even once.
Dan Brown really has a way of keeping things exciting!
2. It raises an
intellectual moral issue worthy of a proper argument
Dan Brown raises the problem about the
continuous growth of the human population. The Roman Catholic Church teaches and
fights for the value of life. Practicing the same faith strongly influences my judgment
on the matter. Reading this book will shift your moral compass depending on how
strong you believe in valuing life.
I am particularly very impressed
about the way he wrote it. At one point I actually questioned myself on whether
or not I would agree with what the antagonist, Bertrand Zobrist, was advocating
for. The points that were raised and the way it was explained had been very
convincing. You will definitely question your stand on the issue!
I think the lesson in this book was
simplified in the very first sentence after the title page… “The darkest places in hell are reserved for
those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.” In as much
as it is a sin to not do anything for a neighbor in need when you have all the
capacity to give, it is also wrong to leave yourself ignorant.
3. Your mind will be taken on a picturesque tour of beautiful foreign
places mentioned in the book
One of the best things I like about
Dan Brown books is that he almost always uses only existing relics and places
as setting. Not only does he vividly describe paintings, statues, interior
design details, and architecture, you could also follow along by looking up photos
of mentioned artworks and places on Google. This is one way of maximizing “the
Dan Brown Experience.” If you’re a visual person like me, that really helps. The
way Inferno was written felt like I was being taken on an actual journey
throughout Italy and (spoiler alert!!!)… Turkey.
Speaking of Turkey, upon reading
this and seeing images of how beautiful and historically significant it is to
Catholicism, I have officially put Turkey on my list of places to go to before I
die. You will deeply appreciate this country upon reading Inferno.
4. YES, this was the book where Dan Brown called Manila “The Gates of Hell…”
And with that, he experienced major
backlash from Filipinos in 2013 when Inferno was first published. I know you
can still remember the news back then! I don’t think he was black-listed but I
can still remember the news saying if ever they’ll be making a movie out of
Inferno, they wouldn’t be allowed in the country.
I honestly did not think that the
way he described the Philippines was big of a deal. In fact, (kill me now) I
agree with him. I love my country very much but there are actually areas in the
Philippines that are like that, particularly around Manila. Rape is still a
serious issue until now in 2016. And although we’ve improved as a nation, we
can still admit that what Brown had described in the book was a pretty accurate
depiction. The public’s reaction towards the book was a little bit too exaggerated.
Upon reading the book, I could only laugh at the stupid people who protested
against it 3 years ago.
The scene in the Philippines was a
mere flashback. It was more or less just part of HALF A CHAPTER. Frankly, I don’t
think it would affect the country’s tourism enough to “do something about it.”
I mean come on! This book is fiction! I don’t think foreigners would compensate
seeing the beautiful views and experiences the Philippines has to offer with one
seemingly negative fictional situation they’ve read on a famous book.
5. Speaking of the movie, it is coming out SOON!
I am pretty skeptical that they can
make the movie better or at least as good as the book. But personally, I don’t
necessarily believe in the saying “the book is always better than the movie.” Though, upon seeing the list of cast members, most of the actors are not at all
how the characters are described in the book (well, except for Tom Hanks), or at least the way I was able to imagine it. But
still, I am hoping for the best. I am excited to watch it!
You really might want to read the
book first if you’re in for a more productive mental stimulation. I believe the
human mind has endless capabilities. Make your own version of Inferno in your head
first; you’ll be surprised with what your mind can conceive!
Reader, if you’re just as interested
in adventure and history as I am, I highly recommend you read this book. Merely
reading Dan Brown’s genre will stimulate your brain.
Thanks to my best friend Erin for
lending me her copy! On an end note, it would only be proper for me to finish
this review the way Dante and Dan Brown ended their books so… I am definitely
giving this a rating of five STARS!
- 4:23 AM
- 0 Comments
