The Da Vinci Code

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Summary: Breaking the code of good conduct
Review: This might be a book for buffs of pseudo-history, or just plain preposterous premises pretending to be facts of history. Fooling around with Christ is kind of like trying to kill a rattlesnake with your bare foot, if you know what I mean. But if Dan Brown wants to try it, fine.

I find it kind of funny that everyone wants to read this book, which is supposed to be SERIOUSLY good, when it is rather silly, drawn-out and corny. I mean, how can someone making a pretentious dork of themselves be considered REAL literature? This is a book for your romance novel reading granny. I highly doubt, as someone who has her Ph.D in English, that this book will ever transcend time on its positive merits. ;) I certainly wouldn't waste your time on this garbage (I'm sorry I did;)) when there are so many good books out there. One being the Bible, which really makes Dan Brown look like a jerk.

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Summary: A Review of the Da Vinci Code
Review: A Review of The Da Vinci Code

The Da Vinci Code is an exciting enigma filled with suspense, romance, and many interesting facts. The story starts out in Paris, France where symbologist, Robert Langdon, is on a business trip. While he is there, Langdon ends up doing much more than just a lecture. A murder has been committed in the Louvre museum and Langdon is one of the prime suspects.

After reading this fascinating novel, it has come to be one of my new favorite books. As well as being an extremely thrilling, suspense-filled book, The Da Vinci Code also contains many interesting facts that will not let you put it down. One of my favorite things that Dan Brown (the author) does is he makes most aspects of the novel completely unpredictable. This makes it difficult for the reader to pull their nose out of the book. I also really enjoyed the fact that Brown did not bore the reader with too many tedious details. He never described the characters too much. This allows the readers to use their imagination and decide for themselves what they think the characters should look like. I loved how this stimulating tale made me question all of the things that I had learned and believed in before. It kept me curious and really made me think about what I was reading. The Da Vinci Code made me see everything in a new light. It allowed to me to open up my mind and discover new things.

There were not many aspects of The Da Vinci Code that I did not enjoy. Most of the book was thoroughly enjoyable for me. One part of the book that I disliked was that Dan Brown seemed like he was trying too hard to make it unpredictable. For this reason, the book sometimes seemed a little unrealistic. I also found it frustrating that Brown sometimes used French without saying what it meant in English. Since I do not speak French, this made it difficult for me to understand some of the conversations. I would have also liked it if the book had pictures in some parts so I could get a better understanding of some of the Da Vinci paintings that Brown described. Though I did not enjoy every aspect of this exhilarating novel, I still enjoyed most of it and it is one of the best books I have ever read.

If anyone were to ask me what books I would recommend for him or her to read, I would recommend The Da Vinci Code first. It has become one of my new favorite books and it has inspired me in many ways. I give it five stars.

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Summary: For History Buffs
Review: If you like to read suspense and have a fondness for history this is a really good book. I loved this book. I don't know if I've ever been able to give a book 5 stars (wish I could find one) but this is one of my favorites. I only think the author dragged it on alittle to long at the end. But one of my fav's. Read it!!!

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Summary: ooooh...this holds the attention of a nation?
Review: i read this book during the summer and am surprised to find it still atop the bestseller lists. harlan coben,in his blurb on the back, writes "perfect for history buffs, conspiracy nuts, puzzle lovers, or anyone who appreciates a great riveting story.' well, i consider myself to be among the first and last, but found this less than a perfect fit for me. after just a little bit of reading on the side, one finds most of the theories brown puts forth here are baseless, so plausibility goes right out the door. it is a perfect story for conspiracy nuts, but there's a reason they're called nuts. if i remember correctly there were 3 main puzzles for the protagonist, harvard symbologist robert langdon, to solve. i solved 2 of them pages before he did. one of them is just plain laughable. harvard must be considering a suit.
furthermore, the book is incredibly anti-catholic, but that institution has been under such pressure lately, they must have decided to let this one slide. finally, the writing is horrible. instead of writing chapters, he writes movie scenes...he even compares langdon to indiana jones. want puzzles and history and conspiracy, go immediately to furst or lecarre; you'll get good writing too.

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Summary: The Da Vinci Code
Review: When Jacques Sauniere, the elderly curator of the Louvre museum in Paris, is mysteriously murdered, he leaves a chain of clues, in the last minutes of his life, that lead to one of the most important historical secrets. These clues bring the curator's granddaughter, Sophie Neveu, and Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist who is staying in Paris at the time, together. As they follow the clues, they discover that Jacques Sauniere was part of a secret society called the Priory of Sion, whose members included Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo, and Leonardo Da Vinci, among others. As the two race through Europe they find secrets and symbols hidden in the works of Da Vinci and in famous churches. What Langdon and Sophie don't know is that the clues which the late curator left behind lead to two different secrets that are connected by one pinpoint.
In this novel about history, deception, conspiracy, secrets, and puzzles, there is nothing not to like. By the first paragraph of the book you are riveted, and can hardly put it down before you are done. Dan Brown's writing style is terrific, you read from a variety of different characters' points of views. With Dan Brown constantly switching the novel from the point of view of one character to another it makes you want to keep reading. The characters are brilliant, none of them are perfect, and they all have faults. Dan Brown develops a ripe, full personality and voice for every character. The story is so believable that you might actually find your self wanting to go on a trek looking for the Holy Grail. The author is excellent at making you believe one thing and then changing it. For example, who the Teacher really is. Beware it will surprise you but once you figure it out it will seem perfectly reasonable. All the puzzles and secrets keep you hooked and trying to figure them out for yourself. The only thing that the author should do to the book is put pictures of the art and buildings that are mentioned, in the back.
There is not one place in the Da Vinci Code that you will become bored and want to stop reading. I recommend it to any one who is looking for a brilliant book to read, for it will appeal to all age levels and will keep you wanting to turn the page even when you know you have to put it down.

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Summary: A combination of Soaps and Batman
Review: The book was well written and it kept your interest. There were a few problems, however, that left me wondering how this book could be so popular.

First, the author constantly leaves you hanging. He makes you wait several chapters to find out what the Cardinals said to the Bishop, or what was in the box, or what was seen at the ritual, or whatever. Two or three items at all times, even when it doesn't add anything to the plot development. Its like watching a daytime soap opera that always leaves a few unanswered questions to be answered after the commercial, or in the next episode.

Second, the clues the main characters decipher are a way too far fetched, and its hard to believe the they could solve them so quickly and repeatedly. It constantly reminded me of Adam West and Burt Ward in the Batcave solving obscure clues from the Riddler - and it was about as believable.

Still not a bad read, just seems overrated.

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Summary: Robert Ludlum for Thinking Folks
Review: This is superb page turner with a lot of "food for thought" added in. An action novel that makes you think. No wonder it has been a best seller for so long.

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Summary: What's the fuss about?
Review: When I saw that this book had made the cover of Newsweek (and what the attending stories were about), I was a little intrigued. When I saw that it had been on the bestseller list for so long, I decided it was worth a look. Well, I read the whole thing, and I have to agree with the other reviewer who found the purple prose simply awful. The ideas about the Holy Grail were interesting but the story did an awful job of carrying the information. Nicely researched, but this guy could have used a co-writer or a literate editor/reader.

On the other hand, it was a (formulaic) page turner, and I can see it making a pretty easy transition to the movies -- probably what the author had at the back of his mind. I'll recommend my friends wait for the video. So if beach reading is what you're picking this book up for, go to town. You could easily do worse. If you're looking for a great presentation of a scholarly idea, I'd suggest looking the Holy Grail or Mary Magdalene up in the non-fiction section of the library. You'll probably get as interesting a read and certainly more brain food.

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Summary: Fun, Freaky, with some accurate facts . . .
Review: The Da Vinci Code captured my imagination. Only part of my infactuation was because of the plot. Even more engaging is the
play the author gives to various facts, partial facts, and yes,
probably some questionable statements. Look at "The Last Supper", and tell me whether you see a woman, instead of James.
If you are totally accepting of the orthodox, or fundamentalist
views of Christianity, then this book is not for you.

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Summary: A Treasure! Don't hesitate to pick up a copy!
Review: The Da Vinci Code is an "intelligent thriller" in every sense of the term. Not only is this an intense tale of murder and mystery, but is an art history lesson, a conspiracy theory and an eye-opening provocation all in one. That's not to mention that the characters are very well-developed, interesting and mostly charming and likable. This is a fiction story, but major parts of the book are based on facts that I had never been aware of until now.

The novel opens up at the scene of a murder taking place. The characters and events surrounding the murder are suspicious and uncertain. Over the next few chapters, the pieces start falling into place slowly but surely. You learn that the murdered man, Jacques Saunière was the curator of the Lourve in Paris, France. He was also the Grand Master of a secret society known as the Priory of Sion. This mysterious organization has had the mission of protecting the secrets of the Holy Grail, and members of the society have included such prominent figures as Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo and... Leonardo Da Vinci.

The first few chapters also reveal that 3 other murders had taken place on the same night, all 3 victims being other members of the Priory of Sion. The killer is an albino monk named Silas, a member of a sect of the Catholic Church called Opus Dei, working for a Catholic Bishop, Manuel Aringarosa. Both collaborators are working for a mysterious man who calls himself The Teacher and has revealed his identity to no one.

Robert Langdon is an American visitor in Paris, as well as a Professor of Religious Symbology at Harvard University, in town for a lecture. Langdon had been scheduled to meet with Saunière on the night of the murder, and yet Saunière had not shown up (obviously). Langdon is summoned to the murder scene by the French police captain Bezu Fache under the guise of needing Langdon's expertise. Before Saunière died, he had locked himself in a section of the Lourve and left several clues that suggested that Langdon might able to help the police determine who had killed him and what the motive might have been. However, it isn't Langdon's expertise that was the sole reason for bringing him to the scene of the crime. Langdon is Fache's primary suspect. Before he can be arrested, Langdon is unexplainably rescued by a cryptologist named Sophie Neveu who believes Langdon is innocent... And then all Hell really breaks lose as both of them become fugitives from the law while trying to decipher the clues left by Saunière to determine who the killer really was and why he did it.

The clues Saunière left are nothing short of genius. What's even more brilliant is how Dan Brown is able to intertwine facts and conspiracy theories while coming up with double meanings and applying them to the story line. Most of Saunière's clues are left in the form of codes and symbols, most of which could be found and traced through "pagan" symbols embedded in the paintings of Leonardo Da Vinci, as well as Da Vinci's history, lifestyle and beliefs. There were several moments while reading this book when I had to jump up and run to the internet so I could call up pictures of Da Vinci's paintings, as well as his biographies, so I could see if the symbolism and relationships described in the book were founded... and they are. I was completely and totally astonished and blown away by how much I was able to learn and ponder about Da Vinci from reading this book. I am so inspired in fact, that now I want to get my hands on anything I can learn about the man.

The Da Vinci Code is a smooth book to read. The chapters are extremely short, which makes it convenient to find stopping points - not that you'll want to stop (this book is so engulfing). The flow of the story is really easy to follow, even though it often splits up, switching from scene to scene. Brown is masterful at telling the story from one viewpoint, and then switching and telling it from the eyes of a different character.

I cannot give this book enough praise. Not only is it chocked full of information guaranteed to spark the imagination of the conspiracy theorist in anyone, but it is so complex, with intense and unexpected twists and turns all the way until the end. You will be guessing and trying to crack The Da Vinci Code the whole time. What's best, is that the person behind it all, is the one person I would have never even suspected, not even for a moment - and yet it makes perfect sense. I am blown away.

The Da Vinci Code is one of the most intoxicating, cinematic, thought-provoking books I've ever read. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy a good murder mystery and conspiracy theory, as well as to those who are interested in religious symbolism and are fans of Leonardo Da Vinci. In order to appreciate the brilliant complexity of this story, you simply MUST get your copy and start reading it today! A Must-Read!!! And with the holidays upon us, let me take this opportunity to recommend two other recent outstanding [e-mail] by Tom Grimes, The Losers' Club by Richard Perez. I purchased all these books through Amazon, with no special rush delivery, but received them within a week. Outstanding service, I'll admit. Happy holidays everyone!