Audio Book Review: Origin by Dan Brown

Title: Origin
Author: Dan Brown
Publisher: Doubleday Books
Publication Date: October 3, 2017
Format: Audio
Source: Publisher/Volumes Audio App
Genre: Suspense Thriller
Age Group: Adult

       

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.

As the event begins, Langdon and several hundred guests find themselves captivated by an utterly original presentation, which Langdon realizes will be far more controversial than he ever imagined. But the meticulously orchestrated evening suddenly erupts into chaos, and Kirsch’s precious discovery teeters on the brink of being lost forever. Reeling and facing an imminent threat, Langdon is forced into a desperate bid to escape Bilbao. With him is Ambra Vidal, the elegant museum director who worked with Kirsch to stage the provocative event. Together they flee to Barcelona on a perilous quest to locate a cryptic password that will unlock Kirsch’s secret.

Navigating the dark corridors of hidden history and extreme religion, Langdon and Vidal must evade a tormented enemy whose all-knowing power seems to emanate from Spain’s Royal Palace itself . . . and who will stop at nothing to silence Edmond Kirsch. On a trail marked by modern art and enigmatic symbols, Langdon and Vidal uncover clues that ultimately bring them face-to-face with Kirsch’s shocking discovery . . . and the breathtaking truth that has long eluded us.

I have always loved Dan Brown. Ever since I first read The Da Vinci Code, I have been a fan. This creativity to connect art with history in such a real way, captivated me from the very beginning. Needless to say, I have read all his books. But this time I wanted to try something new. I was given the opportunity to review his newest book, Origin, in audio format. At first I was a little skeptical because I know from the past, audiobooks have been a hit or miss with me. Either I love it, or I hate it. There’s no in between. But this time, I loved it! The narrator was perfect! He wasn’t just a person reading the pages of a book. He used emotions which came through in his voice and the change between characters were flawless.

Dan takes us back through another adventure, but this time, it’s in Spain. Again, like in all the Robert Langdon books, it is filled with famous art work and real locations that are full of history. I just love how he can come up with these stories using real life history and just twisting them enough to make us think, what if? In Origin, Robert asks the questions, “where do we come from? Where are we going?” These are questions that have been asked since the beginning of time. Every religion has an answer for these questions, but no is really sure. Well, Dan Brown, relying on history and modern technology, and a little make believe, has come up with an answer. We just don’t get to find out until the end, but it just added to the suspense, which I was perfectly OK with.

There is one thing I am a little perplexed about Mr. Brown’s books. There is always a main female character, but they are never a love interest. There is always great chemistry between Robert and the female MC, but nothing ever comes of it. I’m just curious as to when he will get, or if he will ever fall in love? Maybe one day when I meet him, I will ask.

Origin may not be my favorite Robert Langdon book, but it was one heck of an adventure!