The Secret of Secrets: A Novel (Robert Langdon)

The Secrets of Secrets is intriguing and a little different than previous books written by Dan Brown, because the secret is about consciousness and the brain, instead of ancient symbols. The story is fast paced and intertwined with explanations of how consciousness can transcend time and space, and perhaps death itself. In this novel, Robert Langdon, and Dr. Katherine Solomon, try to find her stolen manuscript (about how consciousness exists independent of the brain), while being perused at every turn from mysterious forces including the CIA and the government. The story is very interesting and keeps the reader reading from one chapter to another. There are many different characters in this novel, including a “Golem” (an ancient clay monster.) Brown’s fascinating descriptions of the different sites in Prague, makes me wish that an illustrated copy will be available soon. Brown’s book is extensively researched. More than his other books. He includes ancient beliefs about the mind and modern attempts to understand conscious abilities. Sometimes I wondered if these modern explorations into consciousness should be discontinued because of one method the researchers were using, (and if understanding non-local consciousness would be used for nefarious purposes.) Then I realized if we knew more about consciousness, it would change our perception of reality. Readers who studied new age beliefs should find Brown’s explanations of scientific topics more easily understood that other readers, but Brown does a very good job of explaining “non-local consciousness” and Noetic science in this book. This is a very entertaining novel, and it puts us in awe about what our minds are really are capable of doing.

Dan Brown’s The Secret of Secrets was an engaging and compelling read. I’ve gone through several of his books and watched a few of the film adaptations, and he consistently blends history, symbolism, and scientific concepts in a way that pulls you in. He offers just enough detail to spark curiosity and make you want to dig deeper into the ideas he introduces. The story itself was excellent, though it probably could have been trimmed by about 50 to 75 pages without losing any of its impact.

This is a stunner, perhaps the best DB book since The Da Vinci Code. My philosophy of reviewing is that it involves three questions. What did the author set out to do? Did the author accomplish that? Was it worth doing? In the case of DB we have a specific kind of book. It has a pile-driver plot. It has interesting characters but it is not really character-driven. It is popular fiction. In addition to plot its long suits are setting and subject matter. Here we are largely in Prague, with momentary side trips to New York City. The title refers to consciousness (Langdon’s girlfriend Katherine has written a book on the subject). Consciousness is indeed the most challenging element of brain science and it includes both scientific and spiritual dimensions of immense importance. In the novel the plot is advanced by the principal fact that Katherine Solomon’s book on the subject keeps disappearing; someone does not want this book to hit the booksellers’ shelves. Who? Why? DB writes this story with a hand tied behind his back. He requires that the science all be right (this may make it somewhat fanciful, but not science fiction) and that the setting (also something strange and almost mystical) be rendered faithfully and honestly. Bottom line: this is the kind of writing which requires enormous planning and research. At the same time it must be intelligible to a broad range of readers and it must be plausible. The book succeeds on all counts. It is both the ultimate popular read and something with fascinating and important scientific/spiritual content. It is, unmistakably, a ‘Dan Brown book’. It is not Dostoevsky; nor was it meant to be. Those who write condescending reviews of it should themselves attempt to write such a book and they should be reminded that readers can enjoy and admire a wide range of genres and styles. (Yes, I wrote this review after reading a snooty review by an individual who probably longs for an audience as wide as DB’s. And, yes, there is also some puritanism at work there. Great 18thc readers like Addison and Samuel Johnson knew that ‘honest pleasure’—the kind that will neither send you to prison nor to hell—was a great desideratum in our culture, a lesson that is often lost on those who consider such pleasure beneath them.)

I’ve read all of this author’s books and enjoyed them immensely. They are usually uniquely informative and hard to put down. This is my favorite for content and least favorite for flow. I found myself putting it down easily - but also wanting to discuss the content with my husband and friends before I even finished the book. And that’s something! What a thoughtful and timely premise.

After an eight-year hiatus, Robert Langdon has finally returned in The Secret of Secrets. For fans who have been waiting since 2017, the burning question is: Was it worth the wait? The answer, unfortunately, is complicated. Where Dan Brown continues to shine is in his ability to weaponize research. He is a master at finding a “Big Question” and wrapping it in just enough layers of believable history and symbolism. By moving the action to Prague, a city already shrouded in gothic mystery and occult history, Brown creates a setting that feels like a character in its own right. The stakes are characteristically sky-high, and his exploration of human consciousness and mysticism provides the intellectual “sugar high” that made him a household name. When Brown is focused on the ideas, the book hums with the same energy that fueled his earlier successes. However, the story is severely hampered by what I can only describe as subpar writing. While multiple points of view (POV) are standard for a thriller, Brown’s execution here is jarring. Instead of maintaining a consistent perspective within a chapter, he “head-hops” constantly. There are moments where the narrative jumps between three different minds in a single chapter, completely breaking the suspension of disbelief. Even worse, many of these hops are entirely unnecessary. We are forced into the minds of characters who aren’t even minor players in the story, like a random taxi driver or a Marine officer. In one particularly egregious instance, a chapter mostly told from Langdon’s POV ends with a few sentences from a minor character who wakes up, feels dread, and then feels fine. It reads like a 5th-grade essay as though Brown didn’t want to do the hard work of “showing” the reader the stakes, so he simply grabbed a nearby extra to “tell” us what was happening instead. Then there is the Golem. What should have been an eerie, chilling presence becomes repetitive and, frankly, annoying. The “I am the protector” mumbling and aimless wandering feel like padding rather than plot progression. The danger of setting “sky-high” stakes is that you have to deliver an equally powerful payoff. The Da Vinci Code caught lightning in a bottle, but since then, Brown’s attempts to recreate that magic have felt increasingly diluted. The Secret of Secrets has the scale, but it lacks the punch. Is it a decent story? Yes. If you are a Robert Langdon loyalist, you will find enough familiar beats to enjoy the ride. But as a standalone thriller, it falls short. It’s a solid concept buried under too much fluff and inconsistent technical execution. Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Dan Brown never ceases to amaze me with the level of details. He goes to in his books. This really is a great easy read with lots of details and true facts that helps the user to realize that there’s more of the world than what we say. A toe dip into consciousness and the outlandish protections the CIA puts into their projects. Really really good story.

Dan Brown’s The Secret of Secrets is a book that will likely divide readers, and it helps to say that upfront. If you come to this novel expecting nonstop puzzles and constant code-breaking like The Da Vinci Code, you may feel that something is missing. Robert Langdon is still very much himself. He is observant, thoughtful, and good at connecting ideas. But this time, he is not racing from puzzle to puzzle. Instead, he is trying to understand a situation that does not make sense at first. What this book does especially well is keep the reader slightly off balance. For a large part of the story, you are not entirely sure how to interpret what you are seeing. The book asks you to sit with that uncertainty rather than resolve it immediately. That choice may frustrate some readers, but for others, it is what makes the story engaging. As the novel progresses, the focus shifts away from solving external riddles and toward exploring larger questions. The mystery is still there, but it feels broader and more conceptual than in earlier Langdon books. Because of this, some fans may feel disappointed, especially those who love the constant puzzle-solving rhythm of earlier novels. Others may find this book richer and more thoughtful, appreciating that it aims for ideas rather than spectacle. I found this to be a more reflective Robert Langdon story. It rewards patience and curiosity rather than speed. This may not be everyone’s favorite Dan Brown novel, but for readers open to a different kind of mystery, it is a satisfying read.

Speechless. Fast Paced. Exciting. Cannot get enough. These are just a few ways I can describe Dan Brown's newest thriller, THE SECRET OF SECRETS. I have not completed the book just yet, as I am truly taking my time to savor every morsel of this delicious Langdon thriller. Already, I am enjoying this WAY more than ORIGIN. I truly did not like that book whatsoever and was highly disappointed. It is a toss-up which I enjoyed more between THE LOST SYMBOL and INFERNO...but this one...and it is too early to submit my verdict....but it is definitely in a tie with THE DA VINCI CODE. Here is what I like so far: 1. The reader is dropped right into the story. We do not have to read some long historical prologue to set us up for the novel. We are placed into the story and it takes off from there. 2. I love how Dan Brown takes his time to show us around. Like a tour guide so we can absorb everything. Some may not like that, but I do. 3. So far I really like the concept of this one and I cannot wait to see where it goes. 4. The book itself. I am talking about the physical book. The book feels like nothing I have ever read. It feels...well...sophisticated. The pages are soft and don't feel like other books' pages. With the book being almost 700 pages, I expected a brick. That is not the case here. This is something an electronic book misses out on. The actual PHYSICAL touch of something amazing. The publisher went all out on this as if to say, "Thank you for your patience, here is your reward." Trust me...get a physical copy of this book! Here is what I don't like: 1. While I do like the beginning of this book, it does seem formulaic 1. A tragic event. 2. A forum event where Robert is in attendance. 3. Robert gets visited by the authorities. 2. Honestly, that's it. That is the only thing I didn't like about it so far. 3. If I had to pick one other thing, it would be this. I wish Dan Brown hadn't waited so long between books. 8 years!!!! I get that it takes time to research, but at this pace, I fear I will only get 2-3 more Langdon books and that's it. If I could also say one more thing...I understand that it is frustrating to order a book and wait for months to receive it, only to find that the book cover is ripped/destroyed. It is incredibly heartbreaking...but seriously...to come on here and give the author/book a 1-star review is pathetic. Rate the story...NOT...how your book came in the mail. I will update my review later on as I progress...but I want to take this one in as long as I can. I waited 8 long years and I am going to take my time. For now...5 solid stars!!!