Funk Rating: 9 out of 10
I have to admit that against the odds, I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I can't even begin to imagine the pressure of a sequel to The Da Vince Code, and I further can't imagine how one could navigate the waters of interest groups getting all annoyed.
I don't know about you, but I had pretty much written this off. At first, my anticipation was high; then, as time passed, I figured he couldn't pull it off, so it was going to really stink. He had too many audiences, too many editors, too many storylines. So, in fact, my expectations were low.
And he exceeded them. :). Perhaps that was his strategy all along...
Oh, I could find a variety of things that annoyed me along the way of turning that final page. Character backdrop storylines with gaping holes; impossible leaps of logic and thinking to keep the story going. But, I have to say as I sit here and shake my head that Dan Brown did what I consider to be impossible: he wrote a great book with the whole world watching. Only other person that can do that is JK Rowling (and I personally didn't think those were good reads, but I acknowledge her skill).
Dan Brown deserves a toast. Not necessarily for writing a truly spectacular book (Angels and Demons I think was still better), but for pulling off one of those extremely rare feats of performing well on Sunday afternoon when everyone is tuned it, watching, and waiting to see if you'll choke.
I enjoyed it, and I think you will too.
Comments