REVIEW || 'Inferno' by Dan Brown
“Dante’s poem, Langdon was now reminded, was not so much about the misery of hell as it was about the power of the human spirit to endure any challenge, no matter how daunting.”
Let's just cut to the chase - I'm a Dante Alighieri fanatic. I have read The Divine Comedy in its entirety several times as well as Vita Nuova. Inferno is one of my favorite literary works of all time. My high school literature teacher is to thank for my continued obsession with Dante and his classic works. My obsession carried through to my college studies - I went as far as adding a much needed cultural break to my strict, rigid journalism courses by enrolling in a course entitled "The World of Dante." Needless to say, when my mother received the "pre-sale" email from Barnes and Noble regarding Dan Brown's newest work, she forwarded the purchasing information to me immediately!
As a true book nerd and lover of the written word, I'm ashamed to admit that until I read Dan Brown's Inferno, I had only watched the movies based on his controversial, critically-acclaimed novels. The arguments and debates surrounding his earlier works inspired me to dive in to Inferno head first.
My initial thought upon closing the book - I feel as if I have just visited Italy. Having never actually been to Europe, it was hard for me to picture all the different locations. Sometimes Brown's descriptions were a bit too lengthy. At times, it appeared he only added details to extend the length of the novel. I know he intended to paint a perfect picture for the audience, but it was a bit too tedious for me.
The premise of the book was absolutely fascinating and timely. I thoroughly enjoy books that I cannot predict, and Brown's Inferno perfectly satisfied that love. I actually really enjoyed Sienna Brooks as a character. Her frailty as a young, misunderstood woman really appealed to me. Though she developed very little, I feel she grew more than any other character in the novel. Brown exposing her motives and the desires that drove them was a refreshing relief. My loathing of her deceptive character greatly diminished, and I actually began to understand her actions (not saying I agree with them, just saying she made me think).
Overall, this book has convinced me to read his other novels. Not my favorite read of all time, but it was definitely intriguing. It gave me an opportunity to live through Dante yet again. Any book that gives me that chance has a permanent place on my bookshelves.