ANGELS AND DEMONS
Angels and Demons
The genesis of Robert Langdon’s journey
First published in May 2000, Angels and Demons by Dan Brown introduced the world to Robert Langdon, a Harvard professor of religious symbology. While often overshadowed by its successor, The Da Vinci Code, this novel remains a fan favorite for its breakneck pace and the masterful way it weaves architectural history with high-stakes suspense.
The story begins with the shocking murder of a physicist at CERN, leading Langdon to the heart of the Vatican. There, he must solve a series of cryptic clues left by the Illuminati—an ancient secret society—to prevent a devastating explosion of antimatter during a Papal Conclave.
Why It Matters
The novel is a masterclass in the "ticking clock" narrative. By using the Path of Illumination—a trail of artistic clues scattered across Rome's churches—Brown turns the study of art history into a pulse-pounding adventure. It challenges the reader to look at the intersection of faith and logic in an increasingly technological world.