Dan Brown Evolves Brilliantly In The Secret of Secrets
Much as I love Dan Brown’s work, it was pure elation to read the thrilling new Robert Langdon novel and find it full of enough science and philosophy to evoke, dare I say, Michael Crichton.
I do not bring up Crichton lightly.
Fans of the legendary author of Jurassic Park will enjoy the components and overall feel of Brown’s most recent foray into science-fiction page-turners, albeit with a flair and subtlety befitting of Harvard’s most famous professor.
The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown takes risks that pay off as the author delves into exciting new territory.
I was happily surprised to be reveling in The Secret of Secrets the way I was when first reading The Da Vinci Code.
The Robert Langdon universe also grows immensely in the character-driven story department, in the best way possible, as a brilliant new character, Katherine Solomon, joins the center-stage.
Dan Brown’s The Secret of Secrets Robert Langdon Novel SPOILER-FREE Book Review
Much of the tale takes place in a magical setting of Prague.
It captures the look, feel, and nuances of the European city so well, history and the present come to form vivid pictures in the mind, as only Dan Brown can deliver.
Brown’s last Langdon book, Origin, made a derivative and uninspired AI chatbot a main character, which made me despise the story (I wrote on that here, I was so angry).
Full disclosure: Origin is the only Dan Brown novel I flat-out do not like.
Robert Langdon is such a fun character and his thirst for knowledge echoes the readers’ curiosity.
And so I have been enamored with the professor and symbologist sleuth.
But Langdon is rarely challenged meaningfully by any, except the diabolical antagonists.
That radically changes in The Secret of Secrets with the introduction of a strong female protagonist, every bit as brilliant, albeit in different areas, as Robert Langdon is.
Katherine Solomon is by far the most interesting person, and character, in this book.
And Langdon is smart enough to have gone head-over-heels for her.
The science of consciousness astounds enough to warrant murder.
Then there is her work as a scientist that has progressed on cutting edge discoveries into human consciousness.
Her upcoming book’s manuscript is literally driving someone to kill to prevent its upcoming publication.
At nearly 600 pages, The Secret of Secrets has even more twists and labyrinthine turns than you might expect from the mystery-thriller author.
And there is a lot of good, old-fashioned research into history, science, and geo-politics.
I think The Secret of Secrets may have the most depth of any of Brown’s books, and this is partly why was stuck by an exhilaration while reading I have not felt since the last time I read a Crichton book for the first time.
Bravo!
The Forgotten Fiction Grade: YEA (read it!)!
Want To Buy A Book & Support A Local Bookseller? Click Here!
“Dan Brown Evolves Brilliantly In The Secret of Secrets” Was Written By R.J. Huneke.
Stark Beginnings With Style: A Fiction Workshop Hosted By R.J. Huneke
I also want to take this time to let you Fictioneers know that I am teaching again, in-person in Portugal and later that week live online.
For any writer of any level – brand new or well-published – I am working with the start of fictional works in an interactive forum.
In this hands-on workshop, novelist and journalist R.J. Huneke leads an in-depth exploration of how great fiction begins — and how to bring that same power to your own work.
Please read all about it and RSVP on DoubleEdgedPress.com, my new spec lit publishing imprint here.
Let’s combat the hurts of the world with great art! ~RJ
