2018 Feb 23
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.
Dan Brown’s latest novel, and the fifth in the Robert Langdon series, Origin was undoubtedly an instant bestseller across the globe. Brown’s novels always tackle different topics, both controversial and interesting. In Origin, he delves into the decades old conflict between science and religion. The power of religion and unbelievable advancements of technology are both highlighted continuously throughout the novel, making it an enjoyable and enlightening read.
However, with this being Brown’s fifth Langdon novel, the predictable pattern and unfolding of events is certainly present. Although the plot is riveting, Brown’s newest novel does not capture the curiosity, intensity, and race against time that his previous novels have successfully portrayed. For loyal Dan Brown readers, the repetitive plot lines may make Origin less interesting than previous reads. However, Brown’s signature plot twist and incredible revelation at the end of every story will never fail to disappoint, and in this regard, Origin pulls through. Brown’s latest is most definitely a worthy read, even though it may not hit the mark that all readers expect.
Rating: 3.5/5
