Rating: 
Summary: Not such a hot book
Review: Well, two of my friends insisted I read this book, so I did. I've read better books, although I did finish it. I guess the 'rapid fire' and 'action-packed' etc, etc, nature of the book got to me, it all seems a bit pat, i.e. the right things just keep happening to these two rather flat characters. It would be a good airplane book, the kind you could read and follow with a huge jet engine roaring outside your window.I haven't reviewed a book that had 1200 other Amazon reviews, and I see huge piles of this book in the brick-and-mortar stores, so I am probably in the minority on this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Makes you think
Review: Although it may not have been the author's intention, this book will probably make you question everything you think you know about the Bible and Christianity. Factually accurate or not, Brown raises issues about the Catholic Church, Holy Grail, and Jesus Christ. Are the things we learned from the Bible fact or just interpretations from a select few? What was Jesus' real relationship with Mary Magdalene? I'm not particularly interested in theology but I have considered these questions since reading this work. Any book that makes me continue to think even after I've finished it is worth recommending. Although the characters are not fully fleshed out, I can overlook this since the story only seems to span two days. The book sometimes becomes bogged down in too many details but the reader's patience will be rewarded. Brown cleverly lets his audience think they have figured out a key element of the plot only to veer in an unexpected direction. If you want an intelligent read, I recommend The Davinci Code.
Rating:
Summary: Top Notch Entertainment!
Review: If you want a story so cleverly crafted that you'll find it hard to stop reading, then this is it. This intelligently written book sets up a thrilling, turbo-paced mystery wrapped in mind-bending puzzles and riddles, thought-provoking "alternative" history, and elusive enigma where nothing seems to be what you thought it was. The turn of events launches you into the plot so quickly that, as a reader, you'll hit the ground running from the very first page and accelerate through the other 450. You can scarcely catch your breath between chapters. If the intriguing premise of this fictional story compels you to learn more of the actual historical background of art, architecture, math and religion described therein, that's frosting on the cake! Drawing an informed opinion on any these aspects should be based on your own findings of fact, not a work of F-I-C-T-I-O-N. I'm guessing some readers seem to hold overly-serious, haughty expectations better suited to non-fiction. In my view, "The Da Vinci Code" is definitely 5-star entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: Da Vinci Code
Review: Excellent read. Couldn't put it down.
Rating:
Summary: listened on tape
Review: I listened to this book on tape on a long road trip - before I knew it I was at my destination. The book kept me so interested and attentive I hardly realized I'd been in the car for 4 hours straight. Very entertaining, educational, and suspenseful. I highly recommend for audio listening.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: Loaded with historical information that appealed to me. Fast paced, couldn't wait to get home from work to read it. Best I've read in a long, long time!
Rating: 
Summary: Disconnected
Review: The "glue" is missing. Good time filler. Not his best.
Rating:
Summary: Stimulating Read
Review: First of all, dear readers, this is FICTION, despite the numerous historical and religious references that have upset some reviewers. Author Dan Brown no doubt has borrowed from others in shaping an interesting story about oft-discussed topics, including THE HOLY GRAIL, the sometimes cryptic art and mind of DA VINCI, and the checkered past of Christianity and in particular the Roman Catholic Church. The fact that there are well over 1,000 reviews of this book on Amazon is evidence alone that this novel has renewed interest in subjects that have stirred passions for more than 2,000 years. For this alone, the author should be commended. Yes, he's clearly after a Hollywood deal -- the characters and script are made for the big screen -- but beyond that he has caused many to GOOGLE topics such as THE LAST SUPPER (which many will view with different eyes), the HOLY GRAIL (more than just the drunking cup of Jesus?), OPUS DEI, the PRIORY OF SION and KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. Conspiracy theorists will have a field day. As for the technical aspects, the characters come off a little wooden, the dialog is a bit forced and contrived and the harmony between male and female -- which is the underlying thesis -- is out of balance. Sophie, the heroine, is clearly drawn as dependent if not intellectually inferior to the hero, Robert Langdon, the Harvard professor and Harrison Ford wannabe. While the author raises Mary Magdalene to the highest pedestal, in effect granting her divinity over the mortal Jesus, assertedly her husband, Brown inexplicably depreciates Sophie, who was a
descendant of this god-like pair! Still, the pace is quick and you can finish this brain candy off in 2 or 3 days. Well, as I said, it's OK as fiction, but stimulating nonetheless and a must read for anyone who is more than just a little curuous about the origins of one of the world's most followed religions. Now as for movie casting: ROBERT LANGDON..........HARRISON FORD SOPHIE..................CHARLIZE THERON/ASHLEY JUDD
SILAS, THE ALBINO.......EMINEM
THE FRENCH POLICE CAPT..THE GUY WHO PLAYS HERCULE POIROT
TEABING/THE TEACHER.....ANTHONY HOPKINS
GRANDPA.................SEAN CONNERY
THE BISHOP..............EDWARD JAMES OLMOS
Rating: 
Summary: A Gateway of Sorts.
Review: I don't know that I would go so far as to consider this book "Unrelenting Suspense" - it was far from a cliffhanger at any moment... but - Not typically my line of reading - a friend had just read it and so I read it and we had gobs to talk about. He being raised (and now lapsing) Catholic - me being completely without any religious upbringing. I didn't think the story itself was so well-written and actually it just went to mush near the end, but we came up with gobs of notes that we'd like to follow up on. The author however really didn't cite his references - and I guess he's not required to in a work of fiction - but I am curious about the Templars and Da Vinci and the loss of the female aspect of religion through the apparent efforts of the Catholic church. Acting as a gateway to other ideas or ways of thinking - the book is successful.
Rating:
Summary: Top Notch Entertainment!!!!
Review: If you want a story so cleverly crafted that you'll find it hard to stop reading, this is your kind of book. This intelligent fictional work sets up a thrilling, turbo-paced mystery wrapped in mind-bending puzzles, thought-provoking "alternative" history, and elusive enigma where nothing seems to be what you thought it was. The turn of events launches you into the plot so quickly that, as a reader, you'll hit the ground running from the very first page and accelerate through the other 450. You can scarcely catch your breath between chapters (these are short and numerous so breathe deeply.) If the premise of this story compels you to learn more of the actual historical aspects of art and religion described therein, that's frosting on the cake. This book is F-I-C-T-I-O-N, so if you want to draw an informed opinion, do so based on your own findings of fact. I'm guessing some of the detractors I've read of here seem to hold haughty expectations better suited to non-fiction. In my view, "The Da Vinci Code" is definitely 5-star entertainment.
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