Yeah, I've read this before... sort of.
582347
So Langdon shows up at the scene of a vicious crime.  Surprise Surprise.  Langdon is under suspicion.  wow, there's a shocker.  Langdon is whisked away moments before an impending arrest by a stranger.  Hey, wait a sec.. didn't this happen once or twice before??  Then Langdon must use his unbelievable skills to prove he's as clueless as he claims about the crime, and solve the riddle before something terrible happens.  Ahh yes, sounds familiar now, doesn't it?

Look, Mr. Brown, you had a good thing going.  You just should not have tried to write the same book over again by giving it a new title, and a new setting.  The so-called devastating event that everyone is afraid of, really is NOT very devastating.  And the criminal that's been created isn't very believable (sort of freaky, in a Halloween-costume-gone-bad sort of way).  And why was the woman's research being targeted?  Did that fit in well at all with the rest of the story?  I didn't think so.  I got the point that her research and testing was tied in nicely with her brother's dilemma, but did it need to be targeted and destroyed?  Or did Mr. Brown just need to fill some pages and create a faux suspense to make the reader think that this story was going to be REALLY exciting?

All in all, the message is interesting.  The last two or three chapters were very thought provoking.  But it should have been a documentary on PBS or Discovery (as I'm sure it will be soon).  It should not have been the catalyst for another Langdon "save the world" book.  Wish I had my $[...] bucks back.  If there were a Cliff Notes version, that would be all anyone would need.  Do they still make those?
4613624
It was alright.  Most of the material I had already experienced.  Guys who want to be players might find it an interesting read.
4584076
There were several issues that I have forgotten.  The author reminded me of them.  Also, some incidents varied from what I've known previously. I also enjoyed the list of the names...Some of which I have forgotten.
3333624
This is basically a list of a bunch of other books the author read. It's almost like an, "I guess you had to be there..." joke. This really had potential, but it didn't even gracefully disappoint.
1488202
It's a good read. If you like this sort of thing it's worth the money.
I think some of his other books are a little better...but if, like me, you've read all of the others, you won't be disappointed.
I read it cover to cover.
1084800
I read this book once before, and really enjoyed it.
1603092
So, I'm only half-way through the book, but it's a very easy read.  I guess this might count as pseudo-fiction as the names and dates have been changed, or generalized, to protect the men that do this work year after year.
4484192
This is a good read through once. I already knew what it was saying about respect and such. Maybe would have kept my interest more if I had read this prior to others.
3492595
Meh. It's getting to be the same thing with slight variations from book to book. Interesting, but not compelling.
2444683
before someone came out with a concept like this.  Did it work?  Yes? (she says hesitantly)  It worked, but barely.  I think this is one book that would have benefited from a few more pages (something I rarely say).  All in all, I don't think that you'll hate yourself if you read it.
2740076
I did enjoy reading this, but it's just the same old story told slightly differently. The writing style is decent, but there are some parts which where unnecessary, like the main character constantly reminded us of the same thing (that he is faster). The main character also had to be careful not to give himself away. There are times he almost does, and makes a big deal of it, yet there are times he does, and nothing is noted about it, which seems like the author missed it, or it'll be brought up in the other novels, though there is no hint of that.
Even though the baseline story is not original, how it is told is still entertaining, and enjoyable enough.
1359895
I have not read this myself, but I have read others by this author.  The person who received it said it was not up to the quality of his previous books, attributing that to the fact that this is one of the authors later books.
3024656
I read these stories before. I expect to read them again. Only a few were not up to snuff.
4279110
...though I'll second some of the thoughts of author Niffenegger's previous reviewers and merely say that perhaps Audrey could have let this one play out a little longer?

I mean, my thinking here is that it's the start of something much more substantial, perhaps even more literary? As in, this isn't the last time we're all going to hear about the likes of Mr. Jakob Wywialowski (I, for one, would love to know who you've modelled this character after, Dear Author)?

Jakob, by the way, seems like the consummate old man cutie -- the grandfather we all want to have.

However, seven pages *is* a bit on the scant side, oui oui? Though I'm the first one to admit one doesn't need to write like Tolstoy to make a literary point, it's a bit on the lower end of the spectrum. Not "bad" lower end but more like "you've left me wanting a whole lot more" lower end. With the foreknowledge that this were to expand into a graphic novel, I mightn't be as indisposed to it, but...

...back to my original point.

Surprisingly, folks, ANGELS is a tight little read. Like its length or niente, you're going to feel something.

Sentences flow cleverly and well. Ms. Niffenegger's vocabulary choice falls into the "nice and easy" spectrum.

ANGELS is, for the most part, a "feelgood" piece, and I think this author is at all times aware of the direction things are headed in the marketplace: people are demanding shorter, more inspirational, reads; ones they can polish off within a short subway/bus ride into work (or leaving work, as the case may be).

Once the technology for this sort of thing becomes widely available, previous readers who've expressed skepticism with the shortness of Niffenegger's tale here may be more accepting of stories of ANGELS' curt length more readily.

Well, perhaps that's just one person's opinion...

In summary: in a world oftentimes gone to the squirrels, sometimes it's just nice to read about something on a groovy upbeat tip.

-- ADM in Prague
4245151
Read this... I could go on and on, but I won't. Personally, I think it challenged me and also moved me. It's one of those that maybe good to re-read occasionally.
3884328
I liked the others I have read and will continue to read them, but it is pretty much the same as lots of others.
265198
Not too bad to read, but the book is somewhat repetitive.  This is most likely due to multiple contributors compiled into one book.