The 609 pages book, titled Inferno, is a fiction that has been produced by renowned writer, Dan Brown, published by Doubleday on May 14, 2013. Like most of his books, as the narrative progresses, the more a reader understands. In fact, the reader follows the protagonist or the main character of the story and through him learns about the universe, which engulfs him. The main character, of his fictions, is Robert Langdon, a historian, and symbolism, who has this curious habit of landing himself in unusual situations. Mostly it is presumed that Robert Langdon is unlucky, as he lands himself at a wrong place, at a wrong time. However, those, who have followed his adventures, know that because of his background and nature of work, he is more likely to get involved in unusual affairs than the average person. In this fictional work too, Inferno, Robert unwilling get involved in the serious problem, which threatens his life.
THE OPENING CHAPTER
The Harvard professor, Robert Langdon, wakes up in hospital, with no memory of the past two days. It is an exciting instrument used by the writer, Dan Brown, as it puts the reader also in a similar state. It involves the reader more and excites him/her to dig more to learn about the reality. Curiosity is a motivator, and Dan Brown understands that quite well, as it is apparent from his style of writing and the opening chapter of the book. The curiosity, of a reader, grows more, as he/she learns that Robert Langdon, the protagonist, remembers all, but of the last two days.
When Robert Langdon tells the doctor that he only remembers walking into Harvard Campus and nothing else, readers immediately draw the conclusion that the mystery will be solved, only when Robert will learn how he landed in Florence and woke up on a hospital bed.
The trail reaches the climax when an assassin enters the hospital and kills a doctor, which suggests the readers that Robert Langdon has been involved in some highly sensitive and dangerous affair, which is now threatening his life (cost of getting involved).
ANALYSIS OF OPENING CHAPTER
Different writers have different techniques to involve a reader. Some of these techniques are conventional and being used for a more considerable period, some are the creation of writers, and by the time they have perfected these techniques. For instance, Peter Hopkirk, a British journalist/author/historian, opened the first chapter of his famous book, The Great Game, with a real unsettling incident that occurred in Central Asia, which continued to influence Central Asia for many years to come. It had a substantial impact on the mind of the reader.
Similarly, Dan Brown has used a parallel technique, which not only involved the reader but also makes him curious. The first question, which came to my mind, after reading the opening chapter, was whether it was possible to lose fresh memory. It suggests that not only the opening chapter makes a reader’s interest, but also inquisitive.
THE FOLLOWING CHAPTERS
As the opening scene, in which Robert wakes up in Florence’s hospital, was dramatic, the escape was also dramatic and intense. However, it was not vivid, but somewhat blur and slightly confusing. As Robert Langdon and Sienna Brooks roam the historical city of Florence, more a reader learns about the history of Italy, the role of Roman Catholic Church and Renaissance. For instance, a reader is introduced to Palazzo Vecchio and a lot more. In the immediate follow-up chapters, the plot thickens, and the situation is as perplexing for the readers, as it is for Robert Langdon.
During these chapters, we learn about various historical facts and current pressing issues. For instance, we learn about the Black Plague of Europe, which killed the 1/3 of the population. We are also introduced to the severe challenge of over-population and how it is impacting the earth and the human population itself.
ANALYSIS OF THE FOLLOWING CHAPTERS AND CLIMAX
From studying multiple works, of Dan Brown, we learn that he has the habit of inserting historical facts in his stories or narratives. It gives authenticity to his story, even if it is fictional. It is also evident that he discusses these matters, which are genuine and impact humans. For instance, in his other brilliant work, The Deception Point, he has discussed how NASA and the Political system work to keep many facts hidden and how they impact the realm of science and politics.
In Inferno, as the main character roams around Italy, we learn about its history and the antagonist, Zobrist, who is highly apprehensive regarding the over-population and him devises a pathogen that can impact human reproduction at mass scale. Eventually, he also learns that Sienna Brooks is also working with the antagonist. As the mysteries have started to solve and as more information is available, the reader can understand the plot better and at some point able to predict the climax, because of the clues that are provided by the writer. Many writers love to play and toy with readers, and some involve them in a discussion, through characters. In this book, clues are provided, and discussion is started through main characters. Eventually, Robert Langdon learns how he came to Italy and why Zobrist has developed a vector virus. However, he Robert fails to avoid catastrophe, and to an extent, he finds himself partly agreeing with the perspective of the antagonist (Brown 606).
It is an excellent book, written with the intention to entertain and educate readers and of course it entertainingly teaches history. It is a good read, which also proves that there is no substitute for a book.
Work Cited
Brown, Dan. Inferno. Doubleday, 2013.
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