June Book of the Month

Angels & Demons by Dan Brown

The first installment of Dan Brown's series introducing the character Robert Langdon, professor of art history and religion at Harvard. Contacted by a stranger for his expertise, Robert embarks on an investigation into the murder of world renowned physicist and Catholic priest Leonardo Vetra. Leonardo with his daughter Vittoria attempted to recreate the Big Bang theory to prove that there is a God creating matter in the universe. When Leonardo is murdered, a canister of antimatter from his research lab is stolen and fears as to what the canister will be used for develop. Vittoria and Robert race to retrieve the canister before it explodes at midnight. In search of the canister, the two rush to Vatican City and Rome where the canister is suspected to be located as seen by a security camera.

Vatican City recently loses its Pope. Robert and Vittoria try to persuade the captain of the Swiss Guard and the chamberlain to the Pope, who heads the church until a new pope is chosen, that there really is an antimatter. Meanwhile, a phone call from a man who claims he is from the Illuminati, threatens to murder four cardinals then set off the bomb in Vatican City. The member of the Illuminati seeks revenge on the Catholic Church for the treatment of the Illuminati and scientists over the years. Searching through archives and clues, Robert and Vittoria risk their lives to save the Vatican and find the murderer. (Librarian Reviewer: Olga)

Discussion Questions

1) At the beginning of Angels & Demons, why did Robert believe the mysterious caller?

2) What did you think about the character Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca?

3) Were you convinced by the Vatican wanting to keep everything a secret at the end?

4) Which novel did you prefer and why, Angels & Demons or The Davinci Code?

5) Have you seen the movie for Angels & Demons? The Davinci Code? How do you think the movie compared to the novel(s)?