About Reading More & Knowing More discussion

What is this 'Copernicus Revolution-like' discovery that Edmond Kirsch has to share with the world? Why is he afraid of its repercussions, or the repercussions of a very important Bishop, Antonio Valdespino? Did Valdespino send a Spanish Admiral to silence Edmond, or is Admiral Avila on a completely different mission? Many many questions in the first 10 chapters, which seems to be a trend in all of Dan Brown's books.

Although the plot is thickening very quickly, it seems as if it is a marathon to the top of Mount Everest. Brown is fitting in a ton of facts and interesting facts that I have found very intriguing; one for example, that Buda and Pest were separate cities until a bridge was built to connect them thus Budapest was born. This really had nothing to do with moving the story along but one of the big reasons that draws me to Brown's work is the endless facts plugged in that mysteriously end up on Jeopardy (nightly game show) where I can impress my friends with World Trivia.

The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain is one that I would love to visit while in Spain. I am much like Langdon in the sense that I do not quite understand modern art but was moved by the foundation of Modern Art being centered are 'having the idea to...' not the execution of the piece. Next time I visit a Modern Art Museum I shall look at it with this new lens and see if I am able to embrace it.

I have a feeling I know where the discovery 'realm' is going with all of the hints in each chapter. One of the biggest hints is when Langdon is making his way through the 'Matter of Time' exhibit with Winston (Artificial Intelligence Tour Guide) and he realizes he has entered a parallel universe. This paired with the blurbs of Edmond's conversation with Langdon about humankind questioning two things: (1) where did we come from and (2) where are we going. The questions I have everyday being an engineer and facing a divided reality of church (Catholic) and science. Again, I was mind blown it the line about different religions and science all telling the same story just in different languages. Is this true? I say absolutely, but Edmond leads us to believe his discovery has debunked this!

We shall see....off to read more!

I was just about to post something and then I realize you have kickstarted the conversation! Yay! Also welcome again to the world of Read Alongs!

Now for the initial observations -

Have you read any works by Sidney Sheldon? I cannot help but feel that Dan Brown in his writings brings the Sheldon school of writing back to life. I can almost see the hoverings of Master of the Game or even Sands of Time all over the first few chapters, though the subject matter is very different! Is this good or bad? Well, Sidney Sheldon was not "literature" but he was one of the best story tellers ever and I must say I veer towards the good, on this this particular point.

Note - Points like Buda and Pest being different cities joined by a bridge; again Sheldon school of writing. His books are littered with such trivia, which would help you win Jeopardy or just plain enlighten your frame of world knowledge!

Modern Art is never my thing and I an never understand how sheets of steel wrapped around in conical form or a canvas with only blue painted all over it can be considered a masterpiece! Maybe I am not modern enough or arty enough, or simply lack the eye to discern the art in these constructions, but to me the best art always has and will belong to the Impressionists! Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Sisley and of course, Degas! Having said that I would still visit the museum in Spain, but first I need to get to Spain!

I have to admit, that I do agree with your theory of discovery and the two questions posed 1. Where do we come from? 2. Where do we go? seems to speak boldly of parallel universes . I too had highlighted that particular part about religion and science trying to tell the same story. I agree that the fundamental story of two disciplines are the same - for instance in Hinduisim, we say everything began from supreme energy. Sounds familiar? That is what is written in Rig Veda, but I must also say that the narrators of both have taken this story apart and made it into something, that is as far from the truth as possible and in many cases absolutely reprehensible! I think the end of books will affirm this principle, simple because it is idealistic and at a more material level, propounded by the "hero" of the tale. Very few books, where the hero had to negate his theory!

I also found the discussion on modern art versus classical art very interesting. The concept of revering "the artists skill of execution" versus "idea" was very intriguing and gave me much food for thought! Being a firm believer of Monet and such like, I believe in execution. But then, stories are conceptualized and then someone else writes a screenplay to make a brilliant film. Does that mean, that the originator of the story idea has no contribution than the screenplay writer. Also how do we know if the story would have made into a brilliant film, if the screenplay had not been crafted well? Much food for thought!

Lets talk some more in a week .....

p.s.Bishop Antonio Valdespino is set up in the novel, with nothing much to do with Avila. Unless I am very wrong, the Regent is someone else all together!

A question kept weighing on my mind in Chapters 11-20...who on earth is trying to silence this discovery, so much that they would kill Allamah al-Fadl??? Can it be an inside job with Valdespino as the orchestrator? (I know you have a feeling he is just a setup...you may be right but you have to admit his conversation with Rabbi Koves was a bit suspicious!!

Ok now going deeper into Langdon's 'Special Appearance' in Edmonds amazing show. I absolutely love Greek Mythology with the many God's that humans named fro anything they could not rationally understand. The ocean waves linked to Poseidon's shifting moods to the Roman's belief in Vulcan (the blacksmith to the gods) who lived in volcanoes and was to blame for the flames that spewed out of them. It has always intrigued me. I know that in some of the Indian Religions, there are also God's who are known for specific things and would love if you could share anything on the linkage between the Greek God's mentioned to the Indian God's.

Sorry...back to the book story line now! Admiral Avila...what is he going to do! With his nifty Rosary weapon that seems to be a gun...who will be his target? Edmond..? or Ambra Vidal...?

I think who on earth is trying to silence the discovery and what is the discovery form the very cornerstone of the book! That is what propels the reader on! I know the conversation between Valdespino and the Rabbi is suspicious, but I am still holding on that the former is not the culprit!

I love Greek Mythology and it has a lot in common with Indian Mythology as well. Some historians comment that a nomadic tribe - "Aryan" or whatever came down from northern Asia and then somewhere split in two groups - one went West and the other went East and hence we have common mythologies. We have the God of Wind called Varun, God of Fire called Agni and God of everything - Indra who seems to be of the same cloth as Zeus. There are several excellent books on the subject and maybe we could read one together! It is just that the Hindu Mythology is soooooo vast that it is hard to explain all in an email :(
Ambra Vidal is an obvious innocent caught in a grand and evil schemes...again comes through easily. Me thinks the Prince may unwittingly be involved by the real life Prince of Spain is one of the most liked royalties of Europe and to have him cast like this.....ssheeehh! Very interested in the Rosary...there is some symbolism there for sure!

Now at the cost of runining your belief in Dan Brown, I must point out that 1. I find the reference to Grishneshwar Temple, pure sensationalism. It does happen, I am not denying but they are not common and somehow highlighting a feature like this in book read by average American/European distorts the actual message of Hindusim which is spirituality and love for all beings. I am not justifying the stupid blind faith of my illiterate brethren, but illiterate is the key word here, something conveniently missed! Furthermore the Arabic numerals as in 1 to 100 and Zero were invented in India in in 7th century AD and 2nd Century BC respectively and shared with the world by Arabs. It was NOT an Arab creation as Mr. Brown seems to pander! He needs better research associates if he is planning to delve into esoteric and what is considered exotic religions! Such superfluous assertion to historical facts, takes away credibility from the author !

Then the whole piece about God of Gaps, while I do believe that Man invented Gods, to you know explain phenomena he could not understand, I am not sure about Dan Brown's chronology. He claims Posideian was abandoned when man understood tides. Well...no, not exactly! Posidiean and the whole of host of Titans were abandoned under Christianity as state policy as a principle of Emperor Constantine, circa 300 AD. The understanding of Tides did not come until 17th Century with Newton! I understand artistic liberties, but this is just stretching the point for the sake of theatrical polemics!

Ok...rant over!! Sorry...I get passionate about books and history!