Rating: 
Summary: READ IT .READ IT. READ IT. You will love it.
Review: the Da Vinci Code is a wonderful book. It made me think, it made me do lots of research and it got me take another look at historical events and religious beliefs. Yet the story does not imply that faith is any less divine, it introduces other mysteries. It just brings up a lot of points and theories that are fasinating, yet I felt it was presented in a great story filled with mystery, intrigue and high action. I read so many books that I am rarely surprised or enthusiastic about what I read -not anymore! This book surprised me, made me question things I thought were written in stone, and I looked up every detail on the internet- go to Dan Browns web-site. The book cover is interactive! This book is just great! I mean it IS a story, but a lot of the theories check out!
Rating: 
Summary: Swift, fun read
Review: I don't generally read mysteries, but after much nudging from friends I decided to take up the "Da Vinci Code." It's not the 'Holy Grail' of books that many claim it to be...but it is a fun and easy read. The symbology and theories explored inside are fascinating. It's what makes this book. Unfortunately the characters do not. Robert Langdon is written as such a weak and apathetic hero it's hard to really like him. But if character development takes back seat to easy plotting, this book is probably your bag. I could have done without all the good guy vs. bad guy, foot chases, gun firing, and plotting to take over the world action, and just stuck with a really good book on hidden religious symbology and half-cocked conspiracy theories.
Rating:
Summary: Don't think, just read!
Review: Think about this book as a work of fiction. Great book. easy read and fast paced.
Rating: 
Summary: Poorly written and silly
Review: I hadn't heard all this stuff about Mary Magdalene, which made the book have a semblance of interest, but it is written in the most elementary, prosaic fashion, with characters who include a pretty woman cryptologist and a Harvard professor symbologist who studies the goddess legend. Jeez, how convenient to move the plot forward. I think the author must have found a cache of old movie serials shown at Saturday afternoon matinees in the early 50s. Each chapter has all the depth and surprise of a Flash Gordon episode--be sure to come next week to find out what happens. Of course the anticipation is always greater than actually seeing how Flash escapes this time--especially if you are over the age of 10.It's kind of a mystery version of one of those "Christmas Box" romances that also seem to do so well. And just as preditable. There are lots better books out there than this one. I give two stars just because I learned a couple of things I didn't know before about the Magdalene legend.
Rating:
Summary: Rather hollow, but fun
Review: People either love or hate Dan Brown's book. I seem to a minority falling in the middle. It was an easy, breezy read that passed the time quickly and would be a fine companion on a long, but not too long, airplane trip. The characters are rather two dimensional and a reader who scratches the surface of the data presented will find it about an inch deep. Many reades are taking his theory as gospel, which is unfortunate. Some of what he presents is plausible, some possible, but other parts verge on the outlandish. Born has no background in language, religion, or history so his position must be taken with a grain of salt. Some of the theories he offers can be found in other books, particularly the grail theory, but that does not make it true. Other material on subjects like the divine feminine are interesting but often taken in places data does not justify. In any case, people looking to learn the history of the early church should look elsewhere. People looking for a quick read that requires little thought may want to pick this up.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: This book does not live up to the hype. Its a quick and easy read because the chapters are very short and virtually every one ends in a cliffhanger. In between cliffhangers the characters stand around explaining things to each other with long verbal dissertations about feminine symbolism. The ideas presented are old conspiracy-theory stuff, which is ok in itself, but I think the author reaches too far into the unbelievable (Disney? The Vatican is broke?) The Big Secret is not a new idea, either. The ending of this book is particularly silly. I only gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because it inspired me to learn something about the Council of Nicea on my own - certainly a very important event in history, but not accurately portrayed in this novel.
Rating:
Summary: some flaws
Review: it is indeed interesting one. although dan brown maybe use too often the knack of suspense. at the ending of many chapters he presents the surprise and cut. it is not a bad knack, but too often.
well, some flaws here. first, does the author determine which month the story happened? one place it said it is April, and near end it becomes november. second, why did Fache let robert longden go to the rest room without escort him? even with monitor, it is so un-professional. Third, after two trivial one, there is a big blow, why did the sibling of jesus and mary have to flee to england that time? because that time, according to the book, desciples treated jeses as prophet. until two hundred and some years later, when emporor constante tried to change the image of jesus as god, well, again according to the book, then there was danger for all offsprings of jesus to be eliminated. so why two hundreds and some years before, the daughter of jesus had to escape to england? besides, two hundred years is a long time for having offspring. it could be seven generations there. well, it is a fiction only, an interesting one.
Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking reading
Review: Dan Brown has done an excellent job bringing to light new ways of looking at Christ as a human being. Although nothing regarding Dan's primise is biblically subsantiated, it does lead one to think of a Christ with non conventional dynamics. I highly recomend this book to those who like to think and challange the conservitive convention of religion.
David C.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable and educational
Review: Do you like: thrillers, puzzles, conspiracy theories, art, history, explorations of religious theories, or just plain fun reads? If you answer yes to even one of the above, then I recommend this book! I completely enjoyed this book and am looking forward to re-reading it so that I can focus on the iconography and symbols more fully. Unlike most mystery/thriller books, this one is more than just a fun ride - it challenges you to think on many different levels. Even the 'heroes' and 'villans' aren't easy and clear-cut but multi-dimensional people who are working from deeply and passionately held beliefs. As for where the lines of truth and fiction lie? I'm still working that out for myself... which I think is the point.
Rating:
Summary: Non-Stop Page Turner
Review: I usually don't read books of this nature, but after my wife and father-in-law raved about it, I had to read it. I was hooked on it from the first two chapters. Being raised Christian, this book also challenged many of the ideals I was taught through out my life. If you read this with an open mind, it is even more entertaining. I read this book in three days, which at 450 pages, is not easy. ( my job provides me with a lot of down time). The suspense Dan Brown creates is that good. Read this book, you will not be disappointed. You might even learn sometihng. I know I did.
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