Dan Brown's latest and greatest Secrets of Secrets is another Robert Langdon mystery that takes place in Prague. In the novel Robert Langdon has a girlfriend, Katherine Soloman, who is a big deal in area of noetics. If you don't know what that is, let me enlighten you. It's a real thing.
Noetics: From the Greek noēsis/ noētikos, meaning inner wisdom, direct knowing, or subjective understanding. As defined by the philosopher William James in 1902, noetic refers to "states of insight into depths of truth unplumbed by the discursive intellect. They are illuminations, revelations, full of significance and importance, all inarticulate though they remain; and as a rule they carry with them a curious sense of authority..." Psychology Today
In other words, it's about consciousness. There is a lot of parapsychology in this field. Brown does a great job sprinkling in how noetics is linked to many areas of supernatural study.
Robert Langdon tags along to his girlfriend's lecture in Prague and immediately he and Katherine are knee deep in a malicious study that abuses people for noetic advancement. Langdon's brilliant girlfriend has studied human consciousness for decades and knows how to tap into a universal bank knowledge, like an Akashic record. Her findings interfere with an American secret project that wants to use consciousness as a weapon.
The story, like all his novels, is fast-paced and uses the setting as if it's another character in the book. This is one of the reasons I love Brown. As usual, he had me Googling all of the highlights of Prague.
Some of the Czech highlights include:
The Golem: A Czech myth that was created by a 16th rabbi who invented a monster from clay in order to protect the Jewish population.
Prague Castle: This is where Katherine gives her lecture on noetics. Prague Castle is supposedly the biggest royal complex in the world.
Klementium Library: One of the most beautiful Baroque libraries in the world that houses many famous books.
Brown masterfully describes the city in precise detail. I am going to Prague later this year. This entertaining book is the best way to learn about Prague's attractions.
Brown is known for being tough on religion (Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons). I don't know if he is an atheist, but from other novels I would guess that he is not a believer in Christ. I am a believer, and his viewpoint doesn't bother me. After reading Secrets of Secrets, he seems more open to a higher power. My only criticism of Brown is character development. He puts his heart and soul into the setting and non-stop action, but leaves his characters flat. But that doesn't matter much. The book is still a brilliant page-turner. 5/5 Stars.
