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Summary: Harry Pott--Da Vinci Code review...
Review: This novel relies heavily on facts to complement the fictional plot. The reader can tell that the author is very informed on the subject matter, which is a refreshing discovery. However, some of the plot progressions seem a little too linear and "Hardy Boys-esque." If one should decide to read this book, he or she will not find much of the happenings surprising, yet the author manages to maintain the reader's attention. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys learning about historical occurrences, while not really having one's brain overworked. All-in-all, I would say this book is an outstanding contemporary piece of literature that will be read and enjoyed for years to come.
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Summary: Rate the BOOK not your opinion of what is the TRUTH
Review: As i started reading this book, i swore that i would read little by little because it would take away too much of my time. However, once i started reading this book, i could not put it down, mainly because of the exciting plot and partly because of short chapters. This is one of those books you say "just one more chapter..." and before you know it, you're finished with the book! Now, i know that many of the facts in this book may bother some people and some of the facts might mot be true. However, there are conspiricies which exist and no one can prove for sure what is the absolute TRUTH. This book is a novel and the purpose of a novel is to stimulate your mind and enjoy the story. Anyone who has read this book knows it cannot possibly deserve a ONE STAR rating. I just want to say, do not rate the book based on your opinion of what the truth is. Rate the book AS A BOOK. The definition of a good book is a book that gets hold of you and keeps you reading til the end and The Da Vinci Code is certainly one of those books. Trust me, this book will boggle your mind.
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Summary: A long, convoluted, inaccurate polemic
Review: As I read this book by Dan Brown, I wanted to be drawn in, to examine and enjoy the puzzles, and to ride the chases to satisfactory conclusions. None of these things occurred. Instead I was plunged headlong into a piece of anti-Christian propaganda not unlike the anti-Semitic Protocols of the Elders of Zion. What Mr. Brown is selling is nothing more than Gnosticism in the guise of 'history.' In many places his characters reassure us that everything about the Goddess Cult and Mary Magdalene is 'historical fact.' Of course it is no such thing. The Gnostic gospels were written after the synoptic Gospels (upon which the 'Passion of the Christ' was based) and are far more likely to be inaccurate than are the traditional Christian canonical writings. The attempt by Mr. Brown to convince us that the goddess cult and the 'divine feminine' are somehow superior to the Christian and Jewish faiths is pitiful. Think a minute about the pagan cults of old: 1. They were murderous, brutal, and intolerant. Christians were slaughtered for centuries by these enlightened pagans who worshipped the 'goddess.' 2. Human sacrifice (along with cannibalism) was a hallmark of paganism and polytheism (I refer you to the Aztecs, the Incas, and South Sea Islanders to name only a few, and I'm not even talking about mass murdering pagans like Attila and Hitler, himself a worshipper of the Teutonic gods) 3. The ridiculous rituals carried out by the Pagans, described in the book as having this deep meaning and power, come off like stilted, neurotic, sex-obsessed Klan meetings only with people chanting and watching some old geezer have sex with a younger woman to 'unite' the feminine with the masculine and thus complete the human psyche. How can people who are so driven to dress up in party hats and chant and have sex supposed to be superior to anyone let alone Christians and Jews? They're just using their religion to party! As to the style of the book, how many times did anyone else count phrases like, "he reeled with this information," "The statement was mind-numbing" (I must have counted the use of 'mind-numbing' at least six times, 'reeling' another five). This is the worst kind of writing. Instead of letting us make our own conclusions about what is being said, Mr. Brown needs to tell us in case we miss the point. Horribly amateurish and very dull. This is a truly mediocre book. It has garnered far more interest than it deserves. What I worry about is that many people think that they are learning 'real history' here. It's a polemic, a doctrinaire screed dressed up like a thriller. But one thing it is not is history, unless you want to count all the myths and falsehoods concocted by haters of monotheism since Abraham left Ur and traveled to Canaan 2000 years before the birth of Christ. It is certainly a history of *that* if nothing else. On this basis alone - that we get to hear all the anti-Monotheist trash-talk that has been floating around for the past 4000 years - then this is a history. Otherwise, it's pure codswallop.
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Summary: *****Unbelievably believable*********
Review: I have studied the non-fiction work of the subject of this book for years and can tell you that the author weaves a suspenseful story into the context of something far bigger and probably truer than most people want to acknowledge. For those who love conspiracies and alternate views of history this book is for you. Readers of this book will also likely enjoy ****REVELATION UNSEALED**** by Donald Salerno. It is a non-fiction work about endtime bible prophecy that is just as absorbing and captivating as the Davinci Code. More books like these need to be on the market....
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Summary: Captivating!
Review: I will refrain from gushing, but I have to say very few books have the effect that this book had on me while reading it! In fact, I'm sure it's happened before, but I can't remember with what book(s)! I would describe this author's talent for writing as brilliant. I think very few authors have the gift of organizing their words in such a way to captivate the reader and make them read every single word. I am notorious for skimming descriptive paragraphs because often they are not written well or they don't hold my attention long enough; I find myself wanting to skip to the dialogue. Not so with this book! This is the first novel I've read by Dan Brown, but it definitely will not be the last.
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Summary: Two levels
Review: Like many here I read this book on the urgings of others. Eventually, I could only have so many people tell me what a great book this is before breaking down and reading it myself. Also, like many here, I found my enjoyment decreasing as I noticed an occasional error or strange interpretation of something I was familiar with. In terms of the history, I think the strongest thing I took away is the importance of having multiple sources, and always looking for bias on any issue where interpretation will account for a sizable amount of the research. As for the actual story, I thought it was fun. At times the author seemed to be pandering to the target demographic, but it's not common enough to cause too much annoyence. While certainly the characters are a bit cliche at times, and seem to often have their mental functions tied down so as to not outpace the reader, I still found them to be enjoyable. They're candy rather than a full meal, but sometimes one just wants some sugar and fun.
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Summary: The Da Vinci Code
Review: The Da Vinci Code is full of symbolism, allegory, suspense, and a myriad of mysteries that will have readers twisting and turning every chapter. This book kept me on the edge and wanting to know more and more. The many riddles in this book are intricately woven and geniously put in to keep the reader guessing. This book doesn't just jump around like others, but gives you, in full detail, the situation of the current events and any background information needed to understand (and there's a bunch). I thought that the symbolism and allegories were very intriguing, and they made me want to try and figure out what they could be before I actually knew the answer. And maybe the best part is that there seems to be no resolution, only climax right until the end! All-and-all, this is one of the best books that I have read. This book is for anyone who loves to be toyed with and kept guessing before the revealing of the twisted truth. For those who like to find hidden meanings in allegories, this is a great book. The plot is consistent throughout, but it is how the story plays out that makes it most interesting. If you like tons of mystery and suspense that will make you want to stay up late at night just to figure out the next mystery, this book is for you. And let's not forget those who are interested in a novel that deals with religious artifacts, great action, and a good thriller. Chris Protos
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Summary: The DaVinci Code
Review: The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown is an incredible read. It is a thriller mystery about a murder at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The novel is fast paced from the beginning and does not slow down until the very end. Robert Langdon, the main character, is a symbologist from Harvard University who is called in to help the French police to find the murderer of the Louvre's curator. Along the way Robert meets a woman who had personal ties with the curator, and she helps Robert solve the mystery and discover even more. The history of our civilization comes into play in helping to solve the clues; the end result astonishes everyone. The twist is something I will never forget. Brown researched this book beautifully and makes everything fit together. Not only did I enjoy this book, but I learned something as well.
This book would appeal to a variety of people. Mystery lovers, history and/or art buffs, religious or non-religious persons, and anyone who is just looking for a good read, would enjoy this novel. Anyone who takes a great interest in the history of art might also take great interest in this book. Religion is largely incorporated into the story, which involves spiritual elements. However, it is not the religion that one would usually think of. It gives any reader the facts to choose what they want to believe.
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Summary: The Thrill of Da Vinci
Review: The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown captivates its readers with a mysterious and suspenseful plot. The novel takes place in the romantic city of Paris, France where the main character Robert Langdon, a recognized symbologist, embarks on a remarkable adventure with a female counterpart, Sophie. Together the two attempt to crack the mysteries of the first modern Church and where the immeasurable Holy Grail rests. The two come across the French Police, greedy grail seekers, and people with a sufficient amount of knowledge that will either aid or harm them in the long run. Brown's style of writing brings the reader into a well-organized and studied plot by using the famous artwork of Leonardo Da Vinci to explain his theories of the Modern Church. The book can captivate people from those who are grail seekers, to people with any form of religion and are actively interested in the formation of mankind. I perceived the book as insightful, and one that kept me turning pages in order to reveal the outcome. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone with an interest in religion and who is seeking an extraordinary thrill.
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Summary: The Meaning of Life
Review: There has never been a book that has captivated my interest as well as The Da Vinci Code, written by Dan Brown. This on the edge thriller has been proclaimed one of the most controversial books of our time. The story tells the tale of a professor's trip to Paris over a 48-hour period. The plot thickens continually with every turn of a page. There is not a chapter that passes without some sort of plot changing event. This story will have readers on their toes the entire time and wishing it would never end
The book however is not for everyone. I would say the age limit on this book would be the biggest barrier. Somebody under the age of 16 might miss some of the underlying themes in the story, most of which are crucial. It would help a reader to have some sort of religious background, however it is not necessary. The Catholic Church has claimed the book to be completely untrue and unethical. Dan Brown wrote this book as fiction for a reason. Bottom line: if you want a book that will completely captivate and entertain you, The Da Vinci Code is for you.
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