Around the World in Eighty Days Book Review

I finished reading Jules Verne's "Around the World in Eighty Days"  around a week ago and so I've had some time to gather my thoughts on it. This is a REVIEW so if you don't want to know what generally goes down in this book, stop reading now.

Phileas Fogg is the lead character, the Englishman who sets off on a journey circumnavigating the globe after a bet with friends who suggested it was impossible to be done in 80 days. He is the sort of character who is not troubled by anything, remains unbelievably positive in every situation, and somehow always finds a way around the tightest circumstance.

Personally, I don't like such characters, they are almost too good to be true, and as you read on, you just know that whatever happens, Mr. Fogg will come up with something to continue his journey around the world on schedule.

On the contrary, I can much more relate to those who have their frailties and human pitfalls. Passepartout, Mr. Fogg's French servant, is by far and away the star of the novel for me. He demonstrates passion, fight, ecstasy and despair. The reader can understand his emotions and actions. It was Passepartout who came up with the genius idea that saved Mrs. Aouda from certain death, and ultimately, it was this servant who realised at the end that they were in fact, one day ahead of themselves, a result of their eastward trek around the globe.

Around the World in Eighty Days gave a couple of interesting insights into Indian culture (the train and elephant journey across the country) and the Mormon religion (the train ride across Utah and the Mormon missionary's discourse). However, there were many parts of the story that seemed to pass by in a blur, which could possibly have been described in a lot more detail. Mr. Fogg and his accomplices did move on from one country to the next, one continent to the next, with alarming rapidity.

The best part of the book, however, was saved for the end, and for the first time, it showed emotion in the cold Mr. Fogg. Mrs. Aouda asks his hand in marriage, to which he replies with these legendary words:

"I love you. Yes, in truth, by everything most sacred in the world, I love you, and I am entirely yours!"

To say that was unexpected would be a gross understatement! It was a little masterclass from Jules Verne. The journey around the world didn't make Mr. Fogg much money in the end, but it did open his heart and he found true happiness and love.

The Baptistry of San Giovani - A Layer Cake?

In Chapter 53 of Dan Brown's latest novel, "Inferno", Robert Langdon and Sienna Brooks find themselves at The Baptistry of San Giovani in Florence.

Brown describes it like this:

"Adorned in the same polychromatic facing stones and striped pilasters as the cathedral, the baptistry distinguished itself from the larger building by its striking shape - a perfect octagon. Resembling a layer cake, some had claimed, the eight-sided structure consisted of three distinct tiers that ascended to a shallow white roof."

Here is a picture of the Baptistry of San Giovani:

And here's a layer cake:

And this is a traditional Sarawak layer cake:

I say that is quite an accurate comparison!

Dan Brown's new novel is "Inferno"

So Dan Brown has completed his new novel which will be entitled "Inferno". 

Inferno is due for release in USA and Canada on 14th May, 2013. It is another Robert Langdon thriller. I'm not sure how much longer we'll have to wait for it here in Malaysia.

Learn about Inferno at Brown's website

I had been wondering when this announcement would be made ever since I finished reading his last novel, The Lost Symbol.

The Lost Symbol came in for mixed reviews, so who's excited for Inferno?

Who said that? challenge #4

I write a character quote from a Dan Brown novel. You tell me who said it and which novel it is found in.

"As you may have guessed, I planned to retire soon. But I wanted to retire with pride. I wanted to retire knowing that I'd truly made a difference."

If you have any idea which Dan Brown novel this quote comes from, or who said it, let me know in a comment!

Secrets of Angels & Demons Book Review

Anyone who has loved reading Dan Brown's famous novel, Angels and Demons, has found great interest in the arts, science and history surrounding ancient and current Italy and the period of renaissance.

Dan Burstein and Arne de Keijzer have presented the most brilliant and in-depth commentary to Angels and Demons, entitled "Secrets of Angels and Demons."

Secrets of Angels and Demons is a volume of 589 pages of continuous knowledge and detail regarding the Vatican, Rome, Bernini, Galileo, architecture, sculpture, painting, astronomy, the Catholic church, and much more.

Contributed by world-class historians, theologians, philosophers, scientists, occultists, technologists, symbologists, linguists and art buffs, Secrets of Angels and Demons attempts to explore and shed light on the plethora of conspiracies and messages encoded in artworks and secret societies mentioned in Angels & Demons.

If you don't possess the book, you can start by visiting the website at: Secrets of Angels and Demons

I can guarantee you a fascinating and intriguing read!

Dan Brown "Who Said That?" Challenge #2

I share a quote from a Dan Brown book. You have to tell me:

1. Which of Dan Brown's novels it is found in, and
2. Who said it?

Let's see how well you know Dan Brown's books! here's today's quote:


"I am walking out your door right now. I need clothes. I am going to Vatican City."


Good luck and leave your answers in a comment.

Off the boil

I must admit I've gone off the boil about Dan Brown.

Don't get me wrong, I haven't gone 'off' Dan Brown or his work. I just haven't picked up one of his books for a long time.

I guess I'm just eagerly, or impatiently, waiting for his next step, his next book, whatever it may be about. But I understand writing a novel of that quality is not a speedy process. Not with all the research that has to take place first.

Does anyone have any 'heads up' about any book that Dan Brown may be working on at the moment? I'd love to hear about it!

Book trumps movie

I'm sure there are many others who also think of Tom Hanks every time they read Dan Brown's works involving Robert Langdon. In fact, it can be at times a little confusing as to which character is copying the other. We know that Tom Hanks plays the role of Robert Langdon. But he seems so perfect for that role that whenever I read the Da Vinci Code, it appears that Robert Langdon is playing the role of Tom Hanks!

I must admit that I find the book a whole lot better than the movie. I would always take a book over a movie. Although Tom Hanks plays Robert Langdon so well, that partnership is etched in my mind so clearly that reading the book is like a constant movie playing in my head.

Dan Brown does a fantastic job at writing a story which allows the reader to clearly 'view' the action in their minds page by page. Watching the movie takes away some of those 'scenes' I so enjoy whilst reading it.

Give me The Da Vinci Code book and I'm in my element!