Book Review: Digital Fortress
Author: Dan Brown, in 1998
Verdict: 2/5, predictable ending, slow development, unworldly coincidences, and incompetent characters.
ARK
Author: Dan Brown, in 1998
Verdict: 2/5, predictable ending, slow development, unworldly coincidences, and incompetent characters.
It might seem rather unfair to critique a book about technology written 20 years ago in a modern setting. But, one thing I seek out for and cherish, in stories, is timelessness. Many reviewers have criticised the portrayal (rather misunderstanding) of technology in the book, but these misrepresentations do not bother me at all. In my opinion, portrayal of technology in a book need not reflect reality at all. Why should it?
My first issue with the book is that it is a boring read. Even when the ending of a plot is obvious, the story is developed excruciatingly slowly. For example, a story line in which a killer is hunting down the protagonist of the book, which the protagonist predictably survives, spans over 50 pages(!) and that too with an aura of suspense! Rest of the story lines, which run in parallel, run at "normal pace" and seem rather out of place.
The story depends on a lot of coincidences to survive. Now, a good story only comes about due to coincidences. But, when the coincidences overrule the story line, something surely seems off to a reader. Furthermore, the story gives us an impression that the characters, in powerful and influential positions, are somehow incompetent. That is, when a reader places himself in the situation of character, it "seems" to him that he could have done better! Now, how could one take such a story seriously?
Lastly, the ending. Throughout the 510 page novel, author tries to build a serious story. However, the ending does not do justice to the buildup. It does not carry the weight of the book. The ending seems more like a hurried effort to wrap up a story that is already overfilling the pages. The twist in the end is surely unexpected, but it is petty. There are no incidents in the past alluding to it. Having completed the novel, a reader is left rather unsatisfied.
My first issue with the book is that it is a boring read. Even when the ending of a plot is obvious, the story is developed excruciatingly slowly. For example, a story line in which a killer is hunting down the protagonist of the book, which the protagonist predictably survives, spans over 50 pages(!) and that too with an aura of suspense! Rest of the story lines, which run in parallel, run at "normal pace" and seem rather out of place.
The story depends on a lot of coincidences to survive. Now, a good story only comes about due to coincidences. But, when the coincidences overrule the story line, something surely seems off to a reader. Furthermore, the story gives us an impression that the characters, in powerful and influential positions, are somehow incompetent. That is, when a reader places himself in the situation of character, it "seems" to him that he could have done better! Now, how could one take such a story seriously?
Lastly, the ending. Throughout the 510 page novel, author tries to build a serious story. However, the ending does not do justice to the buildup. It does not carry the weight of the book. The ending seems more like a hurried effort to wrap up a story that is already overfilling the pages. The twist in the end is surely unexpected, but it is petty. There are no incidents in the past alluding to it. Having completed the novel, a reader is left rather unsatisfied.
ARK