천사와 악마 1

by Dan Brown, 댄 브라운

<다 빈치 코드>의 작가 댄 브라운이 2000년 발표한 작품으로 <다 빈치 코드>의 전작이다. 현대 과학과 종교 사이의 논쟁을 흥미진진하게 펼쳐 보인다. 반물질.갈릴레이.신물리학 등 현대과학 지식에, 바티칸.일루미나티.베르니니의 예술 작품.교황선거회의 등 가톨릭의 전통의식과 역사를 잘 섞어넣은 지적 스릴러 소설. <다 빈치 코드>가 파리를 주요 배경으로 삼았다면, 이번 작품의 무대는 고대 유적이 고스란히 남아있는 도시 로마다.

스위스의 유럽입자물리학 연구소 CERN에서 유능한 과학자 베트라가 살해당한다. 베트라를 죽인 범인은 일루미나티의 조직원으로 추측된다. 그 이유는 베트라가 가슴에 일루미나티(Illuminati)라는 낙인이 찍혀 살해되었기 때문. 이 끔찍한 사건에 자문 역할을 하게 된 로버트 랭던(<다 빈치 코드>의 주인공)은 관련자들에게 일루미나티의 실체를 설명한다.

한편 베트라 박사를 죽인 살인자는 교황선거회의에서 유력한 교황 후보로 발탁된 4명의 추기경을, 고대 과학의 4원소 흙earth.공기air.불fire.물water의 낙인을 찍고 각각의 원소를 이용해 살해할 것을 예고한다. 수천년 전부터 계속된 교회의 탄압에 대한 복수를 위해,

물질과 닿기만 하면 상상할 수 없는 대폭발을 일으키는 반물질이 누군가에 의해 바티칸에 깊숙이 숨겨지고, 랭던 박사는 24시간 안에 반물질을 찾는 동시에 추기경들의 연쇄살인을 막아야만 하는 상황에 밀어넣어진다. 과거의 역사 지식을 바탕으로 현대 인류를 구해야만 하는 숨막히는 여정의 시작.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Fantasy, Crime

407 pages, Paperback

Published December 20, 2008

About the author

Dan Brown is the author of numerous #1 bestselling novels, including The Da Vinci Code, which has become one of the best selling novels of all time as well as the subject of intellectual debate among readers and scholars. Brown’s novels are published in 56 languages around the world with over 200 million copies in print.

In 2005, Brown was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME Magazine, whose editors credited him with “keeping the publishing industry afloat; renewed interest in Leonardo da Vinci and early Christian history; spiking tourism to Paris and Rome; a growing membership in secret societies; the ire of Cardinals in Rome; eight books denying the claims of the novel and seven guides to read along with it; a flood of historical thrillers; and a major motion picture franchise.”

The son of a mathematics teacher and a church organist, Brown was raised on a prep school campus where he developed a fascination with the paradoxical interplay between science and religion. These themes eventually formed the backdrop for his books. He is a graduate of Amherst College and Phillips Exeter Academy, where he later returned to teach English before focusing his attention full time to writing. He lives in New England with his yellow lab, Winston.

Brown’s latest novel, Origin, explores two of the fundamental questions of humankind: Where do we come from? Where are we going?

Reviews

[Philip Fracassi · Rating 3 out of 5]

See my Da Vinci Code review - same applies here.

[Jenna Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, very religious, made me think, couldn't put it down, was reading it for hours straight.

[John Pae · Rating 5 out of 5]

In just a few chapters you will imagine yourself hurtling down corridors and dodging deadly divices in a thrilling story to shake the ages. The DaVinci Code is nothing without this exiting prelude to back it up.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book. mixes religious history into modern day tale of clue finding, mystery and chase til the end. Excellent writer.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll just put my whole review here, even though this book on GoodReads comes in two parts, which I think is odd. I almost liked this better than the Da Vinci Code, but not quite. It's definitely darker. And Langdon doesn't have Sophie to lighten the mood... i.e. no sexual tension. But I would read it again...

[Clair Cannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must admit I find Dan Brown's books quite intense to read,however, once I get through them I do find them enjoyable. I especially enjoy the clues hidden within this storyline and the race against time to save the Catholic Church. I watched the movie after I read the book and the characters were as I imagined them. A good read.

[Glenna Barlow · Rating 1 out of 5]

if i could give this 0 stars, i would. this book reads like a screenplay. and a bad one, at that. talk about cheesy dialogue. the only redeeming part was that i happened to read it in rome, and brown can't take any credit for that.

[October · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have no idead what part 1 of 2 means or whatever but I read the whole book and it was just so intriguing and it left me on the edge of my seat.

[Angi Jojo · Rating 4 out of 5]

just the same

[Vishnu Karthik · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing book

[T.H. Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book even more than DaVinci Code. I love thrillers & Dan Brown is the master.

[Victor McGuire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this fiction. The follow up of the Davinci Code..read them both..Felt like a mini fictional History lesson...I enjoyed the intrigue..

[Bonnie Bullock · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was alright, not as good as the Davinci Code but a decent read

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome. I wanted to go to Italy so bad after reading. Loved it.

[Gordon G. Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story telling with an intersting look at the inter workings of the Vatican. The end has a twist that impress.

[Mike R]

Papal intrigue via Illuminati with Harvard Scholar Robert Langdon

[Asha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't realized there were two parts. I liked the entire book.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as thrilling as Da Vinci Code, but still a good read.

[maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, fast-paced story. Many events, however, were unbelievable but still fun to imagine.

[Lilly]

such a thrilling book i couldn't put it down

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the Da Vinci Code!