“Origin” // Book Review

Hey everybody!

I read “Origin” a few weeks ago and it was my first time reading Dan Brown. I’ve watched all movies, but never got interested in reading the books. I decided to give it a shot with this one. Even though it wasn’t a remarkable reading, it was quite enjoyable, and I actually learned a few interesting facts regarding architecture and history.

For now, let’s get into the review 🙂

Basic Information

Title: “Origin”

Author: Dan Brown

Publisher: Doubleday //

Number of Pages: 456 //

Genre: Fiction

Back Cover Summary: Harvard professor Robert Langdon arrives at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao to attend the unveiling of an astonishing scientific breakthrough. The evening’s host is billionaire Edmond Kirsch, a futurist whose dazzling high-tech inventions and audacious predictions have made him a controversial global figure.

But before his secret can be revealed, the meticulously orchestrated evening is blown apart. With his life under threat, Langdon is forced to flee, aided by the museum’s director, Ambra Vidal.

If they are to beat a devious enemy to Kirsch’s discovery, Langdon and Vidal must follow a perilous trail signposted only by enigmatic symbols, hidden history and elusive modern art. At its end they will come face-to-face with a breathtaking truth that has remained buried – until now.

The Short

Writing: 3 stars

Characters: 3 stars

Plot: 3.5 stars

Originality: 3 stars

OVERALL: 3 STARS

The Long

For me, there are essentially 3 different parts of the storyline: the first half of the book, the second half and the last 50 pages.

In the first half, the development of the plot was really slow, so slow it took me more than 2 months to get over it. In the first chapters, Robert Langdon has little to do in the narrative, since the focus goes to other secondary characters like Kirsch or Ambra Vidal. I found the descriptions and the story itself quite boring, but the primary question – “where do we came from?”; “Where are we going?”- pulled me through.

After the first half, the storyline felt more energetic and I finally started to enjoy it. However, I felt that the narrative could be simplified, since there were too many plot threads that could be removed, as well as some supporting characters that little have to do with the story.

The description of the Basílica de la Sagrada Familía was so immersive, and it was one of my favorite parts of the book, you actually realize how much time and effort Brown devotes to its research.

Finally, the last 50 pages hooked me up and made the book worth reading, although the final resolution and response to the main premise don’t quite deliver its dramatic promise. The reveal of the mastermind behind all the conflict was also quite predictable, at least for me.

In terms of style, the short chapters (no more than 4 pages) make the reading fluid, which I absolutely loved. You can also find symbol illustrations and articles from conspiracy sites, which I think was different and made the aesthetic more dynamic.

In conclusion, it’s an enjoyable book and a light reading, that can also give you some insights into themes such as architecture, history, and religion. It’s definitely not remarkable, but I still spent a good time reading it 🙂

Favorite Quotes

“May our philosophies keep pace with our technologies. May our compassion keep pace with our powers. And may love, not fear, be the engine of change.”

“Sometimes, all you have to do is shift your perspective to see someone else’s truth.”

“Love is not a finite emotion. We don’t have only so much to share. Our hearts create love as we need it”

“Well, science and religion are not competitors, they’re two different languages trying to tell the same story. There’s room in this world for both.”

“To permit ignorance is to empower it.”

“My friends, I am not saying I know for a fact that there is no God. All I am saying is that if there is a divine force behind the universe, it is laughing hysterically at the religions we’ve created in an attempt to define it.”

And…That’s It!

Have you read “Origin” yet?

Are u a fan of Dan Brown?

Let me know in the comment section down below 🙂

Stay safe,