I first read Dan Brown back in 2004, I think, for Da Vinci Code. At my impressionable age, I thought the book was amazing, gripping and I finished the book overnight. On a weekday, where I had to go to work the following morning. Brown will seduce you with historical conspiracies, secrets and chases, where nothing is really what it seems, the guys chasing after you are actually the good guys, and the one you're running with is the bad one. Or maybe not. Brown did it again with Angels & Demons, but that time I was able to sleep soundly with the unfinished book on my bedside. I thought it could wait, unlike before.
Of course, I picked up Inferno because of the controversial reference to my beloved Manila as the "gates of hell". And what do I think of the book? It was a good read, but somehow Brown's technique felt used up to me. I expected the twists, and got tired of the chases. Kudos for the virtual tour of Florence, Venice and Istanbul, along with The Divine Comedy references, but it just felt like Da Vinci Code all over again.
And, Manila's not that bad. But friends, please remember, it still is a work of fiction after all :)
I am guilty of being quite impressionable when I read The Da Vinci Code back in high school. I was pretending to be an art historian/symbologist back then! :))
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