Book Review: 'Inferno' by Dan Brown

 

I just finished reading Inferno by Dan Brown, a book that had been on my reading list for a long time, and I’m glad I finally accomplished it. At around 430 pages, the book initially felt bulky, but once I started reading, I found myself speeding through it—perhaps due to Dan Brown’s captivating writing style.

The action sequences in the novel were thoroughly enjoyable. The characters—Robert Langdon, Sienna Brooks, Elizabeth Sinskey, the Provost, and Bertrand Zobrist—were all well-developed and left a lasting impression. They stay with the reader for days after finishing the book.

Before reading Inferno, Dante Alighieri, the author of The Divine Comedy, was just a name I vaguely recognized. But after reading, I gained a much deeper understanding of his life. I learned about his unjust banishment from Florence for loving Beatrice, how that inspired him to write The Divine Comedy, and how his vivid depictions of hell were meant to guide people of his time toward the righteous path.

The novel also takes readers on a literal tour of Florence, painting such a vivid picture that it made me want to visit this beautiful Italian city someday. Venice is described in equally rich detail, as much as the plot allows.

One of the key themes of the novel is the problem of overpopulation and its control, which resurfaces throughout the story. It raises an intriguing discussion: how some brilliant minds with high IQs recognize the looming crisis and strive to solve it directly, while others view these efforts as a threat to humanity. This is a topic that readers will likely ponder after finishing the book.

Inferno is a great read for anyone looking for a fast-paced action thriller blended with history from the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance. A quote from the book that will stay with me is, “The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.”

The next book on my list is "To kill A Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. 

Review: "Mindset" by Dr. Carol Dweck

I became interested in reading Mindset after watching an interview with Satya Nadella, where he highly praised the book. I have finally completed reading this amazing work by Dr. Carol Dweck. One thing I can say for sure is that what the author shares is the Truth. But the Truth is elusive—you feel like you know it, and in the next moment, you doubt it. The book explores the difference between a Fixed Mindset and a Growth Mindset in various contexts, such as sports, corporations, schools, and parenting.

In a Fixed Mindset, the mind keeps repeating a fixed story and believes it. As a result, individuals don't venture into new avenues and become stuck in unsuccessful and monotonous lives.

In contrast, with a Growth Mindset, individuals believe that their intellect can be developed through small, consistent efforts every day. Though it may sound like another version of "positive thinking," the book outlines important steps such as goal setting, maintaining consistent effort, identifying negative sub-personalities, and helping them understand why success is possible. It also features stories of various business leaders, exceptional teachers, and brilliant parents. 

One of the most important lessons I learned from this book is to keep learning for the love of learning and evolving, and to play for the love of the game—to keep improving on every attempt. Don’t play just to win, play to outperform yourself each time. Take on tougher challenges and keep moving forward to become better human beings. Don’t be afraid to receive feedback, especially harsh or critical feedback, as it often contains key insights to improve your game.

Though it took me around three months to finish this book, it was both motivational and insightful. It undoubtedly offers valuable insights into the Growth Mindset for anyone who reads this self-help book.

If you have also read this book, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

The next book I want to read is Inferno by Dan Brown. I'll keep you posted on my thoughts once I finish it. I’ve set an ambitious goal to complete this seemingly voluminous book by the end of October 2024.