There are times in every Author’s career where his subjects overpower him and his characters overshadow him. We have most famously seen this in the case of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his enduring creation Sherlock Holmes. Not only was Doyle consumed with the idea of deductive reasoning but at one point he self-admittedly was haunted by his larger than life creation Sherlock. So much so, that he decided to kill off his legendary creation. But he was still a haunted man, and a few years later, under public pressure and I surmise a feeling akin to guilt, he wrote back Sherlock Holmes to life.
Why am I talking about Doyle in a review of Origin you ask? It’s because Dan Brown has come face to face with both these demons in Origin. True to Brown’s style the book is a page turner and it is quite difficult not to get absorbed in the intrigue, the poignant symbolism, the wonderful narrative of different locations which transports the reader right to the scene and of course the thrilling action. No Dan Brown book in the recent past would be complete without these elements.
However, a reader who has closely followed his works cannot but feel a sense of resignation on Brown’s part while writing this. We all know Brown’s obsession with various aspects of Christianity, but in Origin, a small spark we saw in Angels & Demons, the book that was published before the Da Vinci Code which made Dan Brown a household name, has completely overpowered Brown in Origin. Science versus Religion. He dabbled with this idea in Angels & Demons, but the plot in that book was so powerful that, that particular message was lost in his own maze. In Origin, however, it takes centre stage, personified by Edmond Kirsch. The idea has come full circle.
Then there is Brown’s famous character Robert Langdon, the Harvard Professor who is so well in movies by Tom Hanks. Characters in books do not age much. But they grow in stature. If Langdon was reticent in Angels & Demons and later sparkled in Da Vinci Code, The Lost Symbol and Inferno, in Origin, he is Brilliant! Almost larger than life at times. Brown has made him indispensable! And he has introduced him to a friend, no, not the damsel in distress, but a computer capable of AI far advanced than anything known today. I have a feeling Langdon has found a sidekick for Brown’s future novel.
Langdon tries to decipher various codes left by Kirsch. He has a limited repertoire of scientific jargon, but ably delivers in his areas of expertise, both of which overlap in this Novel. Dan Brown also delves deep into issues like faith, psychology and controversies surrounding the Vatican. And yes, contrary to an interview he gave before the launch of the book, there is direct reference to Freemasonry in half a paragraph. Although, Freemasonry is certainly not remotely the subject of this book unlike the Lost Symbol.
I am always excited and fearful when Dan Brown publishes a new book. Excited because of his choice of subjects and symbolism, both of which are close to my heart, not to mention his knack for telling a story in a way that holds the reader captive throughout, and fearful because I know I won’t get any sleep till I finish the damn book!
I liked Origin for the reasons I mentioned above, but I found the ending a tad deflating. For the enormous and elaborate build up leading to the climax, I expected a clearer, more tangible ending. Brown left us with a prophecy, a conjecture if you will, without defining the prophecy or supporting it with supporting evidence. This has been his trend since Inferno. Something he should reflect on.
If I were pressed to give a rating to Origin, I would gladly give it 3.5 out of 5. It’s undoubtedly worth a read. Go for it!
