false 3 0 false false Thu Nov 26 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Sat Sep 19 02:10:56 -0700 2009 Thu Nov 26 02:03:03 -0800 2009
Angels and Demons is, in my opinion, a better story than the Da Vinci Code. It actually takes place before that novel, and is Brown's first Robert Langdon story. The characters remain relatively two-dimensional, but the storyline is genuinely captivating. Brown weaves together CERN, particle physics, Vatican lore, the Illuminati and history of art in abundance to produce something quite riveting. While it may be true that a lot of what Brown presents as fact is hokum, you won't have time to notice because you'll be far too engrossed in finding out what happens next. This is Brown's single greatest talent, and it really shines through in this book.

Provided you approach the novel as a fun piece of "commutertainment", you can't go far wrong.

ADDENDUM: The Special Edition Illustrated version is very good, and I would recommend it to anyone planning to read the book. The accompanying photographs of the things Brown mentions were a definite plus, and helped to ground the story in its Roman setting. ]]>