I’m not sure if I really need to explain much about either Dan Brown or the writing style he spawned. Angels and Demons was published before The Da Vinci Code, but is part of the same world – mysterious historical cults with treasure hunts in famous art and a countdown before disaster. These books spawned a whole genre of occult mystery, or whatever it’s called. The books are best sellers, but not masterpieces of award-winning quality.
HOWEVER. I had read this before but missed a key quote which made me crease laughing when I read it – unexpectedly.
“The lights over Langdon’s head were brighter now, sterile. He was on some kind of examination table. He smelled astringents, strange chemicals. Someone had just given him an injection, and they had removed his clothes.
Definitely not gypsies, he decided in his semiconscious delirium. Aliens, perhaps? Yes, he had heard about things like this. Fortunately these beings would not harm him. All they wanted were his-
‘Not on your life!’ Langdon sat bolt upright, eyes flying open. ‘Attento!’ one of the creatures yelled, steadying him. His badge read Dr Jacobus. He looked remarkably human.Langdon stammered, ‘I…thought…”Easy, Mr Langdon. You’re in a hospital.’
The fog began to lift. Langdon felt a wave of relief. He hated hospitals, but they certainly beat aliens harvesting his testicles.”
WOW.
Oh I read them when I was a teenager. I remember them being sort of clever, though I doubt I would feel that way now. They were, however, a fun and well-crafted ride.
I was the same when I read them – they really sucked you in and you want to keep reading it, and I loved trying to solve the mystery.