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The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown
Get ready for a wild ride with Dan Brown's latest thriller. I'm talking intricate plots that'll keep you guessing, unexpected twists that'll blow your mind, and a whole lot of edge-of-your-seat action. Brown's signature style expertly weaves together history, art, and science in a way that's both entertaining and thought-provoking. This one's a real page-turner, folks - you won't want to put it down.
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Dan Brown's Latest Novel May Not Have Hit Russian Shelves, But It's Sparked a Surprising Trend - Book Piracy Is On the Rise!
summarizeEditor's Summary
Dan Brown's latest novel may not have hit Russian shelves, but it's sparked a surprising trend - book piracy is on the rise. The author's massive success with 'The Da Vinci Code' and subsequent books has created a cultural phenomenon, making him a household name. His latest release seems to have fallen victim to the growing issue of book piracy, leaving readers in Russia wondering when they'll get to experience the thrill of Dan Brown's latest adventure. With the book's popularity soaring worldwide, it's clear that the demand for his work is high, but the lack of availability in Russia is leaving fans feeling frustrated. The book's engaging storyline and intriguing characters keep readers hooked from start to finish, and Dan Brown's unique blend of history, mystery, and suspense has captivated audiences worldwide. However, the book's reliance on cliffhangers can be frustrating for readers who prefer a more straightforward narrative, and some readers may find the historical and scientific details overwhelming or difficult to follow.
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KitapTercümesiKalite4/10
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KitapTercümesiHataları9/10
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Dan Brown's Latest Novel May Not Have Hit Russian Shelves, But It's Sparked a Surprising Trend - Book Piracy Is On the Rise!
I've got to admit, it's hard to introduce Dan Brown without mentioning his massive success. His novel 'The Da Vinci Code' was a huge hit, selling a whopping 81 million copies worldwide, and it's even more impressive when you consider that it was translated into an astonishing 52 languages. Even those who aren't avid readers have probably heard of the film adaptation starring Tom Hanks, which raked in over $750 million at the box office. The movie was followed by two more: 'Angels & Demons' and 'Inferno', both starring Tom Hanks.
The book 'The Da Vinci Code' became a cultural phenomenon, with countless TV shows, films, and documentaries featuring the book. Not to mention, it made Dan Brown a very wealthy man.
After 'The Da Vinci Code', every new book by Dan Brown was a massive hit, instantly topping bestseller lists. It was like waiting for Christmas morning.
His last book, 'Origin', was released back in 2017, which now feels like a lifetime ago. In Russia, the book was published by AST Publishers, and the translation was handled by professional translators Igor Bolychev and Maria Litvinova-Komnenich. The book's cover proudly boasted:
A book the world has been waiting for.
A book that's been talked about by millions.
Fast forward 8 years, and in September this year, the world got excited about Dan Brown's new novel, 'The Secret of Secrets'. Everywhere, that is, except in our country. It turned out that AST Publishers didn't get the rights to publish it.
Our bloggers tried to reach out to the author and even planned a meeting in Finland, but Dan Brown (as he put it):was afraid that participating in a project outside the US could have negative consequences.
However, he allegedly gave permission to publish the book on his Vkontakte blog for free.
Let's just say some good Samaritans stepped in to help: a young guy named Sergey did a decent job translating the book.
Can you feel the difference? We've replaced professional translators with some random Sergey. And let me tell you, this translation is far from decent. It's riddled with errors, and some words are translated, while others aren't. It's like they just ran the book through Google Translate and didn't even bother to proofread the result. That's a total mess with the new Dan Brown novel.
Since no one in Russia has the commercial rights to this book, they're basically pirating it! They're selling the e-book in PDF format on Wildberries for 585 rubles with a discount. The translation is listed as 'amateurish.'
Let me repeat: no one in Russia has the rights to commercially use this book, so they shouldn't be selling it.
I've read all of Dan Brown's novels about the adventures of Harvard professor Robert Langdon, a specialist in religious symbolism:
«Angels & Demons» (2000);«The Da Vinci Code» (2003);«The Lost Symbol» (2009);«Inferno» (2013);«Origin» (2017).Of course, I wanted to read the new book about this character. I don't see any point in buying from pirates, so I downloaded the version shared by the author on VKontakte with Sergey's translation. That's the version I'd like to discuss.
There are two Russian-language cover versions of the new Dan Brown book floating around online, and both are AI-generated garbage. I guess we'll just have to get used to this quality.
The blurb describes the plot like this:
I've gotta say, I was pretty stoked to dive into Robert Langdon's latest adventure in Prague. As a professor of symbology, he's off to give a talk by the renowned Dr. Katherine Solomon, who's also his new love interest. Katherine's about to drop a bombshell book that's gonna blow the lid off some long-held beliefs about human consciousness. But things take a dark turn when she goes missing, along with her manuscript, and Langdon finds himself in the crosshairs of a powerful organization. And to make matters worse, he's being hunted by a ruthless killer straight out of Prague's ancient mythology. As the story unfolds in London and New York, Langdon's on a desperate quest to find Katherine and uncover the truth. Along the way, he's got to navigate the blurred lines between futuristic science and mystical knowledge – and what he discovers will change everything we thought we knew about the human mind.
So, the main setting of the book is Prague. After reading, it's pretty clear that Dan Brown must have done some serious research on the city. At one point, it feels like he's trying to cram in every popular tourist destination in Prague – I mean, I've been there too, and I've got a pocket guide to prove it! Most of the places he describes are familiar to me, just like they would be to any tourist who's visited the city. But here's the thing: I think Brown gets a bit carried away. Even towards the end of the book, he tries to squeeze in a couple more iconic Prague landmarks like they're on a checklist. It feels a bit forced, like the characters are just running from one place to another so Brown can describe them. And the descriptions themselves are pretty generic – they're basically just the same facts you'd find in any guidebook.
The other thing that really stands out is the product placement. I mean, this book is basically just one big ad. Dan Brown is shilling for everything from perfumes like Balade Sauvage to Cartier sunglasses, Dale sweaters, Patagonia parkas, and even Speedo swim trunks or electronic stun guns like the Vipertek. It's just ridiculous.
But even with all the info dumps and over-the-top product placement, I didn't feel like it ruined the reading experience. What really got to me was the constant use of cliffhangers. You know, when the author just stops the story at the most inconvenient moment, leaving you feeling like you're stuck in limbo. It's a cheap trick that's supposed to keep you hooked, but it just ends up feeling manipulative.
A cliffhanger is a literary device where the narrative is interrupted at a critical moment, leaving the reader feeling unfinished and eager to continue. It's a tactic used to keep the audience engaged, but in this case, it just felt like Dan Brown was relying too heavily on it.
I've noticed that Dan Brown has always been a fan of cliffhangers, but in The Lost Symbol, it's just too much. Every chapter ends on a cliffhanger, and it's not just a minor one – it's a major plot twist that's supposed to keep you guessing. But honestly, it just feels like a cheap trick to keep you reading.
Take away all the research and product placement, and what's left? Not much, to be honest. It's just a meandering narrative that follows the main character as he runs around Prague, and the only real plot thread is the single theory that this book is supposed to be about.
I've gotta give it to Dan Brown - every Robert Langdon adventure book he writes revolves around some mind-blowing theory. His big hit was the idea in Codex Brown that the Holy Grail doesn't exist, and it's actually the bloodline of Jesus and Mary that's the real deal. In Origin, he explored the theory of life on Earth's origins. And so on. To be honest, I read his books because of these theories. Because, as a storyteller, Dan Brown isn't far off from Don Quixote. And without these theories, his books are just mediocre detective fiction.
I recently finished his new novel, and the theory that drives the plot is the ultimate question: is there life after death? Spoiler alert - I won't give it away, but that's the main hook. To prove his point, Brown cites a bunch of widely available facts, like online experiments and references to Netflix documentaries and cult classics like The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley. I won't spoil the theory itself, but it's the one thing that makes this book stand out. He drops hints throughout the book, although it would've been nice to get to the point sooner. That's just his style, though.
I was also curious about the Russian angle in this novel. Brown explicitly states that
Russians aren't exactly the most popular people in Prague right now
There are also mentions of Moscow, but unfortunately, they're tinged with a sense of unease. For example, he says that most luxury hotel rooms in Moscow are wiretapped by the government
or describes a Russian psychiatric hospital where patients are mistreated. However, he also makes one of the main characters a Russian national, and he's a sympathetic character who needs help from the CIA to get the treatment he deserves. It's an interesting dynamic, especially considering Brown's reluctance to travel to neighboring Finland. I've got to say, my impression of this book was mixed. On one hand, I was totally aware of the artificialness of it all and how the plot was tailored for a movie adaptation. I mean, even for the sake of potential viewers, Robert Langdon finally settled down with a partner. It's just that a professor who's ridiculously smart but wears Mickey Mouse watch is just plain weird and raises a ton of questions. But on the other hand, the underlying theory that this book revolves around, 'The Da Vinci Code', was actually pretty interesting. Although, I'm not sure if it was worth stretching it out across so many pages.
And honestly, a book that's this long, with a terrible translation and unclear copyright status, is hard to give high marks to. So, I'm only giving it 3 stars. But if you're a fan of Dan Brown, especially those who have been missing Robert Langdon's adventures, I'd definitely recommend this book.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
Is Dan Brown's latest novel available in Russia?
Unfortunately, Dan Brown's latest novel has not been released in Russia, leaving fans of the author without access to the book. However, the book's popularity worldwide suggests that there is a strong demand for his work, and it's possible that it may be released in Russia in the future.
What is the book's plot about?
The book's plot revolves around a mysterious conspiracy involving a secret society, historical events, and scientific discoveries. The story follows a protagonist as they navigate a complex web of clues and puzzles to uncover the truth behind the conspiracy.
Is the book part of a series?
Yes, Dan Brown's latest novel is part of a series that follows the same protagonist and explores similar themes of conspiracies and secret societies. However, the book can be read as a standalone novel, and readers do not need to have prior knowledge of the series to enjoy it.
What are the book's themes and ideas?
The book explores themes of conspiracies, secret societies, and the intersection of history and science. The author also touches on ideas of power, corruption, and the impact of human actions on the world.
Is the book suitable for all ages?
While the book is generally suitable for adult readers, it may not be suitable for younger readers due to its mature themes and some graphic content.
Can I purchase the book in Russia?
Unfortunately, the book is not currently available for purchase in Russia. However, readers may be able to find copies of the book through online retailers or used bookstores.
Has the book been translated into other languages?
Yes, the book has been translated into multiple languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, and many others. However, the translation may not be available in all languages or regions.
Is the book a good read for fans of mystery and suspense?
Yes, the book is a great read for fans of mystery and suspense. The author's unique blend of history, mystery, and suspense keeps readers hooked from start to finish, and the book's cliffhanger ending leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.
check_circlePros
- •The book's engaging storyline and intriguing characters keep readers hooked from start to finish.
- •Dan Brown's unique blend of history, mystery, and suspense has captivated audiences worldwide.
- •The novel's themes of conspiracies and secret societies are thought-provoking and leave readers pondering long after finishing the book.
- •The author's vivid descriptions of settings and characters transport readers to another world, making it easy to become immersed in the story.
- •The book's cliffhanger ending leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.
- •Dan Brown's writing style is effortless to follow, making the book a quick and enjoyable read.
- •The book's exploration of power, corruption, and the impact of human actions on the world is both thought-provoking and unsettling.
- •The novel's pacing is well-balanced, with a mix of fast-paced action and slower, more introspective moments that keep readers engaged.
cancelCons
- •The book's reliance on cliffhangers can be frustrating for readers who prefer a more straightforward narrative.
- •Some readers may find the book's historical and scientific details overwhelming or difficult to follow.
- •The novel's pace can be slow at times, making it feel like a slog to get through.
- •The book's lack of commercial availability in Russia is a major disappointment for fans of the author.
- •The translation of the book may not do justice to the original text, potentially losing some of the author's intended meaning.
- •The book's themes and ideas may not be as original or groundbreaking as some readers expect from Dan Brown.
