Rating: 
Summary: Despite the hype, a mediocre book at best
Review: If it had been better written, and if the development of plot & characters had been more thorough, then this would have been a more enjoyable book to read. As it is, "The Da Vinci Code" is a generally not good book that occasionally rises to the lofty heights of a mediocre work of fiction. It certainly does not merit all of the hype it has gotten.Judged strictly on the standards of a mystery novel, there is little to distinguish this book. The excitement "The Da Vinci Code" has generated rests not in its literary merits, but rather on the supposed "historical truths," sensational in nature, upon which the story is based. Unfortunately, huge chunks of Brown's material have been lifted from the book "Holy Blood, Holy Grail," by mssrs. Baigent et al. While "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" is in itself a very entertaining book, it is also the worst example of pseudohistorical conspiracy theory masquerading as genuine historical scholarship. Most of the theories within "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" are (even by the authors' own admission!) pure speculation that cannot be supported by historical evidence. Brown appears to have cobbled together a few other conspiracy theories, relating to the Priory of Sion & Rennes-le-Chateau (all equally dubious). He also puts forth the ludicrous but hilarious contention that the Emperor Constantine practically pulled the notion of Christ's divinity out of thin air --- a contention so easily disproven by the historical record that it hardly merits mentioning. Mostly, however, his "exhaustive historical research" seems to rest with lifting big chunks of material from "Holy Blood, Holy Grail." Anybody with a few minutes to kill can search the internet for sources that can easily debunk just about all of the historical "facts" that are cited in this novel. When the validity of the history evaporates, the sensational nature of the novel similarly disappears. One suspects that Brown knows that he is mostly re-hashing a bunch of pseudohistorical gobbledygook, but is banking on the general ignorance of his readers, and it appears that in this case, his research was (for once) both thorough & accurate.
Rating: 
Summary: aptly enthralling
Review: The Da Vinci Code is truly a masterpiece. Ceteris Paribus, the novel Dan Brown has written is a wonderful blend of enlightening facts about the Holy Grail, the tainted world of Catholicism, and much more and weaves it all within a glorious, invigorating tale of several well drawn-up characters. What turned me off from reading the Da Vinci Code at first was in fact the themes involving Catholicism, which would seem like the most boring book in the world to read. But this book enlightens its readers about the amazing true history of the mystery surrounding the Holy Grail, the questionable practices the Church took/takes regarding the grail, and Brown inserts several other useful explanations I would otherwise never have known of. For instance, you learn why Friday the 13th is considered unlucky. You learn about the true genious thought behind Da Vinci's artwork. You learn about the positive and negative faces of the Catholic Church. You learn completely relevant history, and all the while you can't put the book down because the story is so damned gripping! A+ I will read it again. Also, watch out for the movie soon!
Rating: 
Summary: fictional mystery thriller ........fun, fast and intriguing
Review: This was an intriguing FICTIONAL novel that is fast paced, with many interesting characters, centering on the quest for the Holy Grail. The subject of the Holy Grail alone would draw many readers. Dan Brown tosses in just enough facts and allusion to put a "serious" face on his fictional mystery novel. He does a splendid job with his smoke and mirrors to create a new interest in the existence of the Holy Grail, the real Opus Dei, the Illuminati and the Priory of Scion. He even borrows the name of a French Priest(who sold masses for great personal profit, was discovered and died penniless), Sauniere, as the leader of the Priory of Scion (an actual group). While there are many layers to this puzzle, there are several errors (intentional or not!?!)that remind us that it is a work of fiction. Dan Brown's Paris is laid out all wrong, nothing is where or what it is supposed to be. Several of his biblical references are obviously incorrect, yet add just enough to the story to create an aura of reality.
The reason I point these things out is that so many readers seem to want to believe that this is non-fiction and that seems patently absurd. With a bit of real research (not just the internet and the conspiracy theorist sites!!)the average reader can discern fact from fiction. If this novel is read as intended, as a fictional mystery thriller, it is fun, fast and intriguing. If one reads it as a secret conspiracy text, disappointment should follow. I enjoyed this fictional work and Dan Brown's fascinating style of story telling.
Rating: 
Summary: K.O.? or O.K.?
Review: What I liked about the Da Vinci Code: The story's revelations of the symbology to be found in the works of Leonardo Da Vinci
The construction of the story around the alternative history of Jesus What I didn't like in particular about the Da Vinci Code: Too many character perspectives are, in my opinion, artlessly included -- each character's thoughts are shown in endless asides. This caused me to be detached from the main protagonist to the point of not really caring whether he managed to get out of each jam or not. The author's need to have his protagonist exhaustively explain absolutely everything to the point of including flashbacks where his protagonist exhaustively explains absolutely everything This was the first book I've read by Dan Brown. I would read another, but would be prepared to possibly find that the non-fiction information it contained is more interesting than the actual story.
Rating:
Summary: Book Club Blockbuster
Review: Have been a member of a monthly book club for three years and never did we have such an active reaction to another book! We loved it, albeit there were some critics of the actual writing. We liked it so much we decided to research certain aspects of it further, and last night had another lively discussion about Leonardo, Opus Dei, and Miriam of Magdala. what a fun, intellectual tour!(with apologies to the previous reviewer). Some of my friends said, that I had missed the second wave of feminism, and that the story was old already-well, I had great delight in reading it and will look forward to the next story by this gifted author!
Rating:
Summary: the sacred feminine loses again
Review: Two smart women recommended this book to me because, they said, it is about reclaiming the sacred feminine. Even though the dust jacket blurbs do not mention this project, I began the text with excitement and hope. Indeed I found that the sacred femnine echoes - moans, sings, even screams - throughout the text. But once I was a third of the way into the story, I realized once again why feminists often yield to the temptation to assume that no text by a man can be trusted.
Of 23 characters in the text who appear several times, 19 are men and 4 are women, which is the usual 5:1 ratio I find when I do textual gender analyses. So much for modern progress against sexism. Furthermore, of 9 principal characters who appear throughout the novel and carry the plot line, 1 is female (Sophie Neveu) and 8 are male: Sauniere, Silas, Langdon, Collet, Fache, Aringarosa, Teabing and Vernet.
Worse is the role given to the female in the text. Sophie provides women's intuition and vulnerability, despite her career path, while the men solve all the code puzzles, take all the risks and protect or threaten her. All of the other females are present only to serve the male charaters and most of them are unnamed. The epitome of this is the woman whose "body was plump, far from perfect" (according to whose gaze??) who facilitated the attainment of the man's moment of orgasmic access to spiritual union. A woman's spiritual union is never mentioned - not once!
I enjoyed reading the book. I grant the pleasure of its rich tapestry of "facts" and its thick web of thriller features. But, as do other reviewers here, I worry that the hype for the book and the slickness of the story mask for far too many readers the actual non-historical and sacred feminine-bashing project of the text.
Rating:
Summary: Thanks for making me think
Review: This is not intended as a literary review. instead, this is intended as a thank you to the authour for the production of a piece of fiction that has made me anxious to learn and discuss. I normally read non-fiction. The Latin teacher on my hall said "You have to read this!" I did. I passed it on to an English teacher who in turn passed it on to another English teacher. My entire high school wing has read, enjoyed as well as delighted in the discussions arising from this book. This book incited us to research and discuss meaningful topics. We have been re-inspired by this piece of fiction to seek out the truth and revel in discussion. Thank you Dan Brown for a reintroduction to the world of wonder.
Rating:
Summary: The Truth Revealed
Review: I loved the Da Vinci Code. Any truly serious biblical scholar has to accept many a premiss put forth therein. If you have read 'New Testament Revelations of Jesus of Nazareth' and/or 'What Happens After You Die' (two books which contain many of the messages received by James Padgett between 1914 and 1923 via automatic writings from Jesus and other Celestial and historical characters,) you will be very at home much of what is written in the Da Vinci Code. The debunking of the Trinity, the Virgin Birth, and Jesus as God was all revealed to James Padgett over 75 years ago by those who were there. Mary Magdalene wrote as did Mary the Mother of Jesus. Jesus himself wrote Padgett of his true mission on earth. As a Christian minister I can happily recommend all the above.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant and Amazing!
Review: I just finished reading it. I give a lot of clout to books that simply compel me to keep reading. This book did that and so much more! It opened up another world of history to me that I had never been exposed to before. And it did it masterfully, in a mystery/suspense/thriller that is incredibly well written. It will leave you on the edge of your seat, and you won't be able to put it down until you're done. I've been very sleep deprived the last few days. I would recommend this book without hesitation!
Rating:
Summary: Never read a best seller or an Oprah book
Review: Flat, characterless, inaccurate and entirely guessable including the Isaac Newton clue, and the Da Vinci Code itself. Jeez--I'm pretty dumb and I had it figured out. Even as to the villain's true identity. Who else could it be. There was no one left! Plus as one other reviewer noted, the whole novel somehow takes place in one action-packed 56 hour day! In summary, the Church bites; Templars, Masons and Rosicrucians were weird and mysterious, everybody wants the Grail, no one expects the Spanish Inquisition, women are cool and even if you don't know how to have a relationship with one, it's nice to have a babe to go on an adventure with, even if you only get to kiss her on the last page.
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