Rating: 
Summary: You'll need to read sitting at your computer for this one!
Review: The last book that was intellectually challenging enough to keep me running to my computer or dictionary was Dennis Miller's "The Rants." That was nearly 5 years ago. "The DaVinci Code" aroused such curiosity in me, that I had to stop reading many times, to log on to the Internet for more fact finding. One of the first pages of the book states that all architecture, religious rituals, and art referred to in this novel are factual. This hooks me every time. Dan Brown is a master of the intelligent novel. I didn't feel as if I was wasting my time reading a mere murder mystery; I was learning something new with the turn of each page. Yes, sometimes there were too many coincidences, and some of the dialogue was trite; these sins pale in light of his obvious knowledge of the subject at hand. I can forgive most slights of plot and/or dialogue when the book's details are scathingly accurate, and well written. I am not a radical feminist, yet I rather enjoyed the intimations in this book that the Catholic Church has been responsible for the opression of women. Since men were "in charge," in the name of "God," the Catholic Church has condoned, initiated, and funded the systematic elimination of women from many historical documents. Some documents have placed Mary Magdalene at the side of Jesus, during the last supper. More secret documents charged that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were "married" and had children. Oh, GASP! This discovery could discredit the very foundation upon which the Catholic Church has carefully built its wealthy empire! Its devout, fearful, tithing and obeisant legion of followers may have a change of heart! Whatever you may infer from the research and facts given in "The DaVinci Code," it stands alone as a stunningly well written novel, guaranteed to keep you up long past your bed time. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and bought two other Dan Brown books, based only on the quality of "The DaVinci Code."
Rating: 
Summary: Used "Sophie" vs. last names of men
Review: I thought this book was quite a page-turner and I enjoyed the religious conspiracy premise, but there were some annoying flaws that downgraded my rating. Cryptologist Neveu is referred to as "Sophie" throughout the book while all the male characters are referred to by their more professional last names only. After all the talk about revering the sacred feminine! (probably mentioned before but I can't read all 900 reviews) #2, the blindness these educated characters displayed when confronted with a simple mirror-writing clue was utterly ridiculous! I thought the writing was average quick-mystery turnout quality with more in the way of plot, but again, it was a "fun" book to read for those of us who weren't already up on all the conspiracy points. Go ahead and read it! It won't be the best book you ever read but you'll enjoy it and be able to get in on all the buzz.
Rating: 
Summary: Just Wish the Book Were More Respectful of Christianity
Review: Overall, I enjoyed this book but I was uncomfortable reading it when it became particularly critical and dismissive of Christian beliefs. I think the author could have accomplished the same goal of creating a compelling "villain" if he had just focused on the extreme forms of Christianity, such as Opus Dei, without so contemptuously dismissing most fundamental Christian beliefs (especially in the character of Teabing). Aside from that rather large problem I had with the book, I have to admit I kept wanting to know what happened next.
Rating:
Summary: A Springboard for finding the missing pieces
Review: I am engrossed in this book and have stopped several times to get additional information on everything from Opus Dei, to the Inquisition to Gnostics to The Last Supper and Mary Magdalene on the net. For someone raised with a sense of faith, yet having an intuitive feeling that there are unanswered questions and pieces missing in my life's puzzle, this was a springboard for me to learn more. This book is captivating, eye-opening, and believable in its history and suspenseful, exciting and an incredible page-turner as a story. Mind expanding to say the least!
Rating: 
Summary: Whatever happened to Faith?
Review: I actually couldn't bring myself to finish this book. I got about 3/4 of the way through it and had to stop because I got so tired of all the mumbo jumbo and conspiracy theory. And if you really look at the theories, they don't make any sense. What this book failed to even acknowledge is that Christianity isn't based on proof. It's based on faith. Even though I believe that there is proof of Jesus Christ's existence and identity, more than anything I believe in the joy and love that he has put into my heart through a relationship with him. As far as I'm concerned this is nothing more than propoganda itself.
Rating:
Summary: Drivel, pure drivel
Review: Drivel, pure drivel. Here's a tip, if you are setting out to write a fast paced caper where the charcters must solve coded messages to advance the story, the "codes" should be more complex than those found in the "jumble" in the newspaper or "mirror writing" used in my son's weekly reader. I solved the three main codes in less than a minute each, but our expert cryptologist and religious symbolist aggonized over them for several pages. Also, the author is oblivious to the facts and folklore that provide the backdrop of his book. As just one example, the Holy Grail derived from an earlier pagan legend about a magic cauldron, not the idea suggested by the author. This is the worst book I have read in ages. If you want a good novel about the theft of a sacred relic and the follower's pursuant to retrieve the relic, try Wilkie Collin's "The Moonstone"
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Summary: Unrelenting Suspense
Review: This book starts out with a bang. I didn't think the level of suspense could be sustained for 450 plus pages, but it was. There is a suspenseful hook on almost every other page. Well-drawn characters, believable dialog, and a crisp writing style combine to make this fast paced story hard to put down. I can't speak for the accuracy of the 'facts' presented in this book, but as a mystery/thriller it works extraordinarily well. I was a little skeptical of all the hype surrounding this book and the many glowing reviews, but I was not one bit disappointed. An exceptionally good read.
Rating:
Summary: Davinci Code Exceeds all expectations
Review: This is a surprise reading adventure from a reader who bought this to read while my spouse read Tom Clancy's newest. Soon each of us was waiting for the other to put Davinci Code down long enough so we could sneak a peek. It is such a compelling book that we actually considered buying a second copy for a simultaneous read. It is an intellectual trip for anyone interested in religion, symbology, linguistics, and history. The historical accuracy is noteworthy. At the same time, it is a mystery writer's masterpiece. The ending actually brought a tear or two. It will remain in my permanent library if I can recover it from the family members waiting to read it.
Rating:
Summary: Compulsive Reading!
Review: A quick summer read, a suspense-filled thriller, an educational tool and a mind-bending experience. The DA VINCI CODE has it all. The only problem with this book is that eventually it ends, and you're left having to research some of the more fascinating topics you've read on your own, rather than having them laid-out before you using Brown's masterful words. Also recommended: THE LOSERS' CLUB by Richard Perez
Rating:
Summary: Slickly written but mean-spirited
Review: I was prepared to like this book because it was recommended by family and friends. It grabbed my attention immediately and was very exciting. The more I read, however, the more I didn't like what was written. As a Catholic, I just kept saying "That can't be true!" The claims of this being a well-researched book just struck me as wrong. I would recommend reading an article called "Dismantling The Da Vinci Code" by Sandra Miesel. It takes Mr. Brown's "facts" that sound so reasonable and documents why they aren't true. I love reading good fiction but I don't like it when fiction is presented as fact.
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