WHERE DO WE COME FROM?
WHERE ARE WE GOING?

The stunningly inventive new novel from the world’s most popular thriller writer

Bilbao, Spain

Robert Langdon, Harvard professor of symbology and religious iconology, arrives at the ultramodern Guggenheim Museum Bilbao to attend a major announcement — the unveiling of a discovery that “will change the face of science forever.” The evening’s host is Edmond Kirsch, a forty-year-old billionaire and futurist whose dazzling high-tech inventions and audacious predictions have made him a renowned global figure. Kirsch, who was one of Langdon’s first students at Harvard two decades earlier, is about to reveal an astonishing breakthrough... one that will answer two of the fundamental questions of human existence.

As the event begins, Langdon and several hundred guests find themselves captivated by an utterly original presentation, which Langdon realizes will be far more controversial than he ever imagined. But the meticulously orchestrated evening suddenly erupts into chaos, and Kirsch’s precious discovery teeters on the brink of being lost forever. Reeling and facing an imminent threat, Langdon is forced into a desperate bid to escape Bilbao. With him is Ambra Vidal, the elegant museum director who worked with Kirsch to stage the provocative event. Together they flee to Barcelona on a perilous quest to locate a cryptic password that will unlock Kirsch’s secret.

Navigating the dark corridors of hidden history and extreme religion, Langdon and Vidal must evade a tormented enemy whose all-knowing power seems to emanate from Spain’s Royal Palace itself... and who will stop at nothing to silence Edmond Kirsch. On a trail marked by modern art and enigmatic symbols, Langdon and Vidal uncover clues that ultimately bring them face-to-face with Kirsch’s shocking discovery... and the breathtaking truth that has long eluded us.
 
Origin is Dan Brown’s most brilliant and entertaining novel to date.

Published
October 2, 2017
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Robert Langdon

The series

Full series details →

The Robert Langdon series, created by bestselling author Dan Brown, is a thrilling blend of historical mystery, cryptic puzzles, and high-octane adventure. Known for its intelligent storytelling and intricate plot twists, the series follows Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist, as he uncovers hidden secrets within the world’s most iconic institutions, from the Vatican to the Louvre. What makes this series particularly captivating is its combination of real-world history, mysterious codes, and cutting-edge conspiracy theories, all tied together in an exhilarating chase across the globe.

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The storylines revolve around Langdon being thrust into high-stakes situations, often involving ancient symbols, secret societies, and a race against time to prevent global catastrophes. From the chase through Paris in The Da Vinci Code to the deadly secrets hidden within the architecture of Washington D.C. in The Lost Symbol, each book pushes the boundaries of historical fiction, blending fact and fiction in a way that makes readers question everything they think they know.

The main appeal of the Robert Langdon series lies in its ability to engage readers on multiple levels: intellectually with puzzles and cryptic codes, emotionally with complex character dynamics, and thrillingly with fast-paced action and intrigue. Langdon’s character, while initially reserved, evolves throughout the series, adding emotional depth to the plot while keeping readers hooked as he decodes mysteries that seem to have been hidden for centuries.

The books’ critical acclaim and immense popularity speak for themselves. With The Da Vinci Code becoming one of the highest-selling novels of all time, the Robert Langdon series has become a cultural phenomenon. Fans rave about the smart, compelling narratives and the sense of urgency and suspense that pervade every book. The series also spawned major motion picture adaptations, further solidifying its place as a modern literary and cinematic classic.

Whether you're a fan of historical thrillers, conspiracy novels, or action-packed mysteries, the Robert Langdon series offers a fascinating mix of all these elements, making it a must-read for anyone looking for an intellectual challenge paired with heart-pounding adventure. Each book in the saga offers a deep dive into history’s most mysterious secrets, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next revelation in Langdon's world of codes, symbols, and hidden truths.

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8/10

Here he goes again! Dan Brown is back with a new page-turner - and more, such as plot twists that are not so much twists as a road straight ahead and a plot that feels oddly similar to every other Dan Brown book. There's Langdon, on a run, with a female sidekick, a mysterious organisation (or many of those) with conservative& elderly, male leaders. People are again doing bad things in the name of religion - and I feel like I'm rereading the Da Vinci Code, except now we're in Spain. 

So why, oh why, do I like this book? At least enough to actually give it a good rating? 

Well, I am not a critic, I'm a consumer - an avid book consumer, and there are things that really speak for Brown. Firstly, I buy a Dan Brown book and I know what I'm going to get: a fast-paced thriller, filled with intriguing symbols, hidden meanings and "deeper" questions. It's close enough to truth that I can entertain the idea "what if this were true" without loosing the illusion. There's plenty to learn from the characters knowledge, locations, central artwork... things that I know are based on real things. My Trivial Pursuit skills get enhanced, and I'm having fun reading. What's there not to like? 

I do wish Brown would somehow flip the script and surprise me with something I haven't seen before in terms of _plot_, because the setting is changing every time while still being engaging. That's where Brown's true talent lies as a writer.

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