First, it is the closest and most similar of the novels to “The Da Vinci Code”: the same religious symbology scholar (Robert Langdon) is the hero of both books the second hero in each case is the “ideal” woman (smart, beautiful, enlightened) who in each case happens to be the daughter of the scholar who gets murdered in the first scene Christianity (through the Jesus-Mary Magdalene story or through the Vatican) plays a central role in the story, etc. The book I am reviewing here is interesting and relevant in many regards. So a shadow has been cast over the novel(s) and its (their) contents. However, due to the religiously explosive thesis of “The Da Vinci Code” (that Jesus had married Mary Magdalene, had a child with her, and was preparing her to lead Christendom after his disappearance), several researchers produced books and documentaries trying to prove that various parts of the book, from trivial factoids to major historical events, had been misrepresented by Brown. The reader is therefore led to believe that the novels, although works of fiction, have been so thoroughly researched that one should take every bit as truth, however surprising or unheard-of it may be. Three of the four novels are prefaced with a “Facts” page that presents major ideas of the book as facts. All four novels share the same concept and structure: each is a thriller that takes place in 24 hours each involves a conspiracy (sometimes around famous organizations ranging from NASA and the Vatican to the Knight Templars, the Opus Dei, and the Illuminati) each includes advanced science and/or cryptography and each involves scholars and has a young, beautiful, and high-IQ female scientist who plays a primary role in the story. Previous to that, he had published 3 novels, which later became best sellers as well: “Digital Fortress” (1998), “Angels and Demons” (2000), and “Deception Point” (2001).

With the mega-success and controversy of “The Da Vinci Code” (2003), Dan Brown became famous worldwide. SCIENCE AND RELIGION IN DAN BROWN’S ‘ANGELS AND DEMONS’Īmerican University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Angels & Demons by Dan Brown