The Secret of Secrets: A Novel (Robert Langdon)

The Secrets of Secrets is intriguing and a little different than previous books written by Dan Brown, because the secret is about consciousness and the brain, instead of ancient symbols. The story is fast paced and intertwined with explanations of how consciousness can transcend time and space, and perhaps death itself. In this novel, Robert Langdon, and Dr. Katherine Solomon, try to find her stolen manuscript (about how consciousness exists independent of the brain), while being perused at every turn from mysterious forces including the CIA and the government. The story is very interesting and keeps the reader reading from one chapter to another. There are many different characters in this novel, including a “Golem” (an ancient clay monster.) Brown’s fascinating descriptions of the different sites in Prague, makes me wish that an illustrated copy will be available soon. Brown’s book is extensively researched. More than his other books. He includes ancient beliefs about the mind and modern attempts to understand conscious abilities. Sometimes I wondered if these modern explorations into consciousness should be discontinued because of one method the researchers were using, (and if understanding non-local consciousness would be used for nefarious purposes.) Then I realized if we knew more about consciousness, it would change our perception of reality. Readers who studied new age beliefs should find Brown’s explanations of scientific topics more easily understood that other readers, but Brown does a very good job of explaining “non-local consciousness” and Noetic science in this book. This is a very entertaining novel, and it puts us in awe about what our minds are really are capable of doing.

Dan Brown’s The Secret of Secrets was an engaging and compelling read. I’ve gone through several of his books and watched a few of the film adaptations, and he consistently blends history, symbolism, and scientific concepts in a way that pulls you in. He offers just enough detail to spark curiosity and make you want to dig deeper into the ideas he introduces. The story itself was excellent, though it probably could have been trimmed by about 50 to 75 pages without losing any of its impact.

I’ve read all of this author’s books and enjoyed them immensely. They are usually uniquely informative and hard to put down. This is my favorite for content and least favorite for flow. I found myself putting it down easily - but also wanting to discuss the content with my husband and friends before I even finished the book. And that’s something! What a thoughtful and timely premise.

This is a stunner, perhaps the best DB book since The Da Vinci Code. My philosophy of reviewing is that it involves three questions. What did the author set out to do? Did the author accomplish that? Was it worth doing? In the case of DB we have a specific kind of book. It has a pile-driver plot. It has interesting characters but it is not really character-driven. It is popular fiction. In addition to plot its long suits are setting and subject matter. Here we are largely in Prague, with momentary side trips to New York City. The title refers to consciousness (Langdon’s girlfriend Katherine has written a book on the subject). Consciousness is indeed the most challenging element of brain science and it includes both scientific and spiritual dimensions of immense importance. In the novel the plot is advanced by the principal fact that Katherine Solomon’s book on the subject keeps disappearing; someone does not want this book to hit the booksellers’ shelves. Who? Why? DB writes this story with a hand tied behind his back. He requires that the science all be right (this may make it somewhat fanciful, but not science fiction) and that the setting (also something strange and almost mystical) be rendered faithfully and honestly. Bottom line: this is the kind of writing which requires enormous planning and research. At the same time it must be intelligible to a broad range of readers and it must be plausible. The book succeeds on all counts. It is both the ultimate popular read and something with fascinating and important scientific/spiritual content. It is, unmistakably, a ‘Dan Brown book’. It is not Dostoevsky; nor was it meant to be. Those who write condescending reviews of it should themselves attempt to write such a book and they should be reminded that readers can enjoy and admire a wide range of genres and styles. (Yes, I wrote this review after reading a snooty review by an individual who probably longs for an audience as wide as DB’s. And, yes, there is also some puritanism at work there. Great 18thc readers like Addison and Samuel Johnson knew that ‘honest pleasure’—the kind that will neither send you to prison nor to hell—was a great desideratum in our culture, a lesson that is often lost on those who consider such pleasure beneath them.)

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Schon beim Auspacken war klar: Diese gebundene Ausgabe ist etwas Besonderes. Hochwertig verarbeitet, edel im Design – perfekt als Geschenk. Und genau so wurde es auch aufgenommen: große Freude beim Beschenkten. Inhaltlich hat mich das Buch sofort gepackt. Die Geschichte ist spannend, geheimnisvoll und zieht einen von der ersten Seite an in ihren Bann. Der Schauplatz Prag verleiht dem Roman eine faszinierende, fast magische Atmosphäre, die hervorragend zur Handlung passt. Fans von Dan Brown und Robert Langdon kommen hier voll auf ihre Kosten. Rätsel, historische Anspielungen und überraschende Wendungen sorgen dafür, dass man das Buch kaum aus der Hand legen möchte. Genau diese Mischung macht den Reiz aus und erinnert stark an die besten Werke von Dan Brown. Fazit: Ein fesselnder Thriller mit Atmosphäre, Spannung und Tiefgang – wunderschön als Hardcover und ein echtes Highlight für alle Dan-Brown-Liebhaber. Absolut empfehlenswert!

Interessante, spesso appassionante come tipico di Brown, solo un po ripetitivo e a volte una guida turistica. Comunque una lettura piacevole

Great value and arrived promptly

Perfect. Arrived on time.