Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Angels & Demons: A Novel
- Author: Dan Brown
- Narrator: Richard Poe
- Length: 18:34:14
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 01/09/2003
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Suspense
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
It reminds me of a time when I was winding through the narrow, cobblestoned streets of Rome, the air thick with the scent of espresso and ancient stone, when I first pressed play on Dan Brown’s “Angels & Demons: A Novel” audiobook. The story unfolds like a treasure map unrolling across a dusty table, and you can almost feel the pulse of the Eternal City thrumming through your earbuds. Narrated by Richard Poe, this breathless, real-time adventure – as the “San Francisco Chronicle” aptly called it – swept me up in a white-knuckled race against time, much like the frantic hunts I’ve chased through markets and ruins in my own travels.
There’s something about Robert Langdon, that whip-smart Harvard symbologist, that hooks you from the start. Summoned to a Swiss lab to decode a mysterious symbol, he stumbles into the resurgence of the Illuminati – an ancient brotherhood with a vendetta against the Catholic Church. Teamed up with the enigmatic Vittoria Vetra, a scientist whose beauty is matched only by her brilliance, Langdon dives headfirst into Rome’s underbelly: sealed crypts, shadowy catacombs, and deserted cathedrals. The stakes? A devastating weapon, an unthinkable target, and the fate of the Vatican itself. It’s a classic thriller setup, but Brown layers it with his signature blend of history, science, and suspense, making every twist feel like a revelation carved in marble.
For me, this audiobook experience echoes those evenings I spent in Oaxaca, listening to a grandmother weave tales under a flickering lantern. Richard Poe’s narration has that same intimate, masterful quality – his voice deep and steady, yet nimble enough to shift from Langdon’s scholarly musings to the frantic urgency of a chase through the Illuminati’s forgotten lair. You can almost hear the echo of footsteps on ancient stone, taste the dust in the air, feel the weight of secrets pressing down. Poe doesn’t just read the story; he inhabits it, giving each character a distinct heartbeat – Langdon’s quiet intensity, Vittoria’s fiery resolve, the chilling menace of the shadowy forces at play.
The themes here hit close to home, too. As someone who’s spent years digging into local traditions and hidden histories, I’m drawn to Brown’s obsession with the clash between science and religion, the way he unearths the past to illuminate the present. The Illuminati, with their cryptic symbols and long-buried grudges, feel like the kind of enigma I’d stumble across in a forgotten archive or a whispered story from a village elder. And Rome – oh, Rome – is the perfect stage. Having wandered its piazzas and peeked into its churches, I can tell you the city itself is a character, alive with secrets. Brown captures that atmosphere so vividly, you’ll swear you’re dodging tourists on the Ponte Sant’Angelo alongside Langdon and Vittoria.
Now, let’s talk about the audiobook itself. Clocking in at just over 18 hours (that’s 0.773773148148148 in decimal days, if you’re counting), it’s an unputdownable journey – unabridged, raw, and relentless. Simon & Schuster Audio delivers crisp sound quality, letting Poe’s voice shine without distraction. It’s priced at $34.99 digitally, but if you’re savvy, you might snag it free through a trial at Audiobooks.com (check the link in the description). That’s a steal for a listening experience this immersive. The pacing is spot-on for a thriller – fast when it needs to be, lingering just long enough on the historical tidbits to keep you hooked without bogging down the momentum.
But it’s not flawless. Brown’s tendency to lean on exposition can feel heavy-handed at times – Langdon’s lectures, while fascinating, occasionally pull you out of the action, like a tour guide who won’t stop talking when you just want to snap a photo. And if you’re a stickler for historical accuracy, some of the liberties taken with the Illuminati’s lore might raise an eyebrow. Still, these are small quibbles in a story that’s more about the ride than the destination. Poe’s narration smooths over those bumps, keeping you locked in even when the plot stretches thin.
Compared to Brown’s other works like “The Da Vinci Code”, “Angels & Demons” feels rawer, hungrier – less polished, maybe, but more visceral. It’s a tighter race, less bogged down by the global sprawl of its successors. If you’ve devoured “Inferno” or “The Lost Symbol”, this is the origin story that set the tone – a masterclass in suspense that still holds up. For thriller fans, it’s got echoes of Ludlum’s breakneck pacing or Eco’s intellectual labyrinths, but with Brown’s populist flair that makes it accessible to anyone who loves a good yarn.
Who’s this for? If you’re the type who gets a thrill from decoding a mystery, who’d rather explore a crypt than a beach, this audiobook’s your ticket. It’s perfect for long drives – like that time I cruised the Atacama Desert with García Márquez in my ears – or quiet nights when you want to lose yourself in a world of danger and discovery. Mystery, thriller, and horror buffs will find plenty to sink their teeth into, especially if you crave that sweet spot where intellect meets adrenaline.
Reflecting on it now, “Angels & Demons” reminds me why I love stories – especially ones told aloud. It’s the human connection, the way a voice can pull you into a moment, make you feel like you’re part of something bigger. Listening to this, I’m back in Rome, chasing shadows with Langdon, or sitting by that Oaxacan fire, letting the tale wash over me. It’s not just a book; it’s a journey – one I’d take again in a heartbeat.
Until our next adventure, stay curious and keep listening,
Marcus Rivera
