30 Day Reading Challenge
Day 27 - The most surprising plot twist or ending
A recent read didn't have the MOST surprising but THE OFFICE OF MERCY by Ariel Djanikian's ending made the book miss being a great one. I guess I was surprised by the direction she took at the end with the main character. A friend at work read it after me and agreed -- the ending was a let down.
I finished SUMMERSET ABBEY last night - it was okay and I'll read the next book because things aren't really resolved. I'll be picking up the library books after work. I think I'll be starting with the Dan Brown book because that will go more quickly than the Grecian. So ... INFERNO by Dan Brown. This is 4th of 4 in series featuring Robert Langdon, a Harvard professor of symbology. Here is a description:
In the heart of Italy, Harvard professor of symbology, Robert Langdon, is drawn into a harrowing world centered on one of history’s most enduring and mysterious literary masterpieces . . . Dante’s Inferno. Against this backdrop, Langdon battles a chilling adversary and grapples with an ingenious riddle that pulls him into a landscape of classic art, secret passageways, and futuristic science. Drawing from Dante’s dark epic poem, Langdon races to find answers and decide whom to trust . . . before the world is irrevocably altered.
Here is an interview from Amazon.com with the author:
Q&A with Dan Brown
Q. Inferno refers to Dante Alighieri´s The Divine Comedy. What is Dante’s significance? What features of his work or life inspired you?
A. The Divine Comedy—like The Mona Lisa—is one of those rare artistic achievements that transcends its moment in history and becomes an enduring cultural touchstone. Like Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, The Divine Comedy speaks to us centuries after its creation and is considered an example of one of the finest works ever produced in its artistic field. For me, the most captivating quality of Dante Alighieri is his staggering influence on culture, religion, history, and the arts. In addition to codifying the early Christian vision of Hell, Dante’s work has inspired some of history’s greatest luminaries—Longfellow, Chaucer, Borges, Tchaikovsky, Liszt, Monteverdi, Michelangelo, Blake, Dalí—and even a few modern video game designers. Despite Dante’s enduring influence on the arts, however, most of us today have only a vague notion of what his work actually says—both literally and symbolically (which, of course, is of great interest to Robert Langdon). A few years ago, I became very excited about the prospect of writing a contemporary thriller that incorporated the philosophy, history, and text of Dante’s timeless descent into The Inferno.
Q. Where did do your research for Inferno? How long did you spend on it?
A. Researching Inferno began with six months of reading, including several translations of The Divine Comedy, various annotations by Dante scholars, historical texts about Dante’s life and philosophies, as well as a lot of background reading on Florence itself. At the same time, I was poring over all the new scientific information that I could find on a cutting edge technology that I had decided to incorporate into the novel. Once I had enough understanding of these topics to proceed, I traveled to Florence and Venice, where I was fortunate to meet with some wonderful art historians, librarians, and other scholars who helped me enormously.
Once this initial phase of research was complete, I began outlining and writing the novel. As is always the case, when a book begins to take shape, I am drawn in unexpected directions that require additional research. This was also the case with Inferno, which took about 3 years from conception to publication.
With respect to the process, the success of these novels has been a bit of a Catch-22. On one hand, I now have wonderful access to specialists, authorities, and even secret archives from which to draw information and inspiration. On the other hand, because there is increased speculation about my works in progress, I need to be increasingly discreet about the places I go and the specialists with whom I speak. Even so, there is one aspect of my research that will never change—making personal visits to the locations about which I’m writing. When it comes to capturing the feel of a novel’s setting, I find there is no substitute for being there in the flesh...even if sometimes I need to do it incognito.
Q. What kind of adventure will Robert Langdon face this time? Can you give us any sneak peak at the new novel?
A. Inferno is very much a Robert Langdon thriller. It’s filled with codes, symbols, art, and the exotic locations that my readers love to explore. In this novel, Dante Alighieri’s ancient literary masterpiece—The Divine Comedy—becomes a catalyst that inspires a macabre genius to unleash a scientific creation of enormous destructive potential. Robert Langdon must battle this dark adversary by deciphering a Dante-related riddle, which leads him to Florence, where he finds himself in a desperate race through a landscape of classical art, secret passageways, and futuristic technology.
Q. What made Florence the ideal location for Inferno?Here are the historical mysteries that will be released in June:
A. No city on earth is more closely tied to Dante Alighieri. Dante grew up in Florence, fell in love in Florence, and began writing in Florence. Later in life, when he was exiled for political reasons, the longing he felt for his beloved Florence became a catalyst for The Divine Comedy. Through his enduring poem, Dante enjoyed the “last word” over his political enemies, banishing them to various rings of Inferno where they suffered terrible tortures.
Alfieri, Annamaria
BLOOD TANGO
Davis, Lindsey THE
IDES OF APRIL
Downing, David
MASARYK STATION
Estleman, Loren D THE
CONFESSIONS OF AL CAPONE
Grant, Barry SHERLOCK
HOLMES AND FRANKENSTEIN’S DIARY
Herring, Peg THE LADY
FLIRTS WITH DEATH
Jecks, Michael
TEMPLAR’S ACRE
Jones, J Sydney THE
KEEPER OF HANDS
Kuhns, Eleanor DEATH
OF A DYER
Nickson, Chris AT
THE DYING OF THE YEAR
O’Connell, John
BASKERVILLE
Robertson, Imogen CIRCLE OF
SHADOWS
Roy, Lori UNTIL SHE
COMES HOME
Taylor, Patrick PRAY
FOR US
SINNERS
I only really read the Jecks and Robertson of this bunch. And in Jecks I'm waaaaay behind this new release. I'm hopefully getting off easy in June - only a couple to purchase.
UPDATE: No, make that three books at the library now and limited time to read them because of Madsen family obligations this long weekend.
Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster
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