The Da Vinci Code

Rating:
Summary: Debunking the Code
Review: Am I the only reader on this planet who does not think Dan Brown's "The DaVinci Code" is a wonderful book? Who thinks, in fact that it is a rather bad book? Badgered by any number of friends who consider themselves serious readers, I finally broke down and read it myself. I was underwhelmed.

For starters, I don't appreciate lectures in suspense thrillers. Brown continually interrupts the story to drone on about the history of Paris or London, and, more verbosely, the "history" on which the story is based. Entire chunks of the book read like a tarted up Michelin guide.

Deep into the novel Brown briefly acknowledges his debt to a few religious "history" books, most of which assert claims seriously questioned by scholars. Presumably Brown wants to assure his readers that he is not making all this stuff up, and that he has spent many tedious hours unearthing this arcane knowledge. Actually all these books have been available to the public for years. Evidently relying on the public's short attention span (or impatience with any book containing footnotes), Brown announces all his "revelations" in breathless prose suggesting hot-off-the-press news.

Briefly, its main premise is that Jesus married Mary Magdalene, they had a child, or children, and their descendants are alive in France today. This knowledge is protected by an ancient secret society, the Priory of Sion, loathed by the Vatican for obvious reasons. One of the Priory's Grand Master's was Leonardo da Vinci. Great stuff, thought Brown. The making of a terrific thriller.

But wait. I keep calling "The DaVinci Code" a thriller. True enough, it offers a lot of what thrillers these days strut: cool cars, private planes, luxurious digs, fancy gadgetry, narrow escapes, etc. The dust jacket, however, announces itself as a novel. Well, the reader will look in vain for the usual hallmarks of a good novel, namely, well-developed characters in whom the reader takes an interest, and well-turned prose testifying to the author's passion for the language. I couldn't have cared less what happened to the inane protagonists. Their conversations are part comic book, part encyclopedia entry, and their adventures are told in a curiously flat, dull style reminiscent of a weather report.

Perhaps I wouldn't be so annoyed by this book if it didn't exude such ambitious pretensions. I caught Brown on a TV talk show, and it seems the man really thinks he has struck a blow for feminist theology. That's a claim about as ridiculous as the assertion that the James Bond Series is an eloquent plea for democracy.

I have no doubt that Brown wrote "The DaVinci Code" with the intention of selling the movie rights. He is already imagining the cast -- Langdon, the main character, is described as "Harrison Ford in Harris tweed." Well, doubtless the movie will be better than the book. I can't envision any actor agreeing to interrupt an adventure to spout a lot of dubious scholarship, or worse, fatuous art criticism.

But I pity the script writers.

Rating:
Summary: Believe what you think, Think what you believe
Review: There is an excellent suspense storyline to this book. The characters are semi-interesting and you will be compelled to turn the pages as is the occasion with most suspense stories, but what grabs you in this novel is the information that you receive that sparks interests in the subject matter. Some critics have written that this is completely fictional, but there are many truths as to what is being said. Dan Brown did extensive research for this novel and it is evident in the pages after pages of the novel. This novel will lead you to read his previous novels as well as books such as "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" and "The Gospel of Mary Magdelene." This is a book for those who are interested in broadening their mind and are open to accepting concepts that are often slandered by society. This novel can't be read simply for the story, which is par. This book has been at the top of the bestseller list for a reason that I don't need to tell you. It is book that many have read and is a great conversation piece for discussion. This type of novel which can only be categorized as an intelligent suspense leads to the discovery of many secrets that you can believe, but don't have to, such as the nature of Mona Lisa's smile and the history of the Catholic Church. The present day drama that now ensues within the church can even be understood when one reads this novel as things are looked at into new light and new understanding. The main character is Robert Langdon who was also the protagonist for Brown's novel "Angels and Demons." Langdon's character as well as the rest is not entirely fascinating, but this book is still worth the read for its information and fascinating subject.

Rating:
Summary: Da Vinci Code
Review: I enjoyed this book very much.
It was a well written book and kept me interested through out the entire book.
In fact, I have read the rest of Dan Brown's other books and enjoyed them as well.

Rating:
Summary: I was proven wrong about this book
Review: A friend of mine kept telling me how great "The Da Vinci Code" was and I kept ignoring him, because I am a hardcore science-fiction fan, loving such books as "Snow Crash", "Cryptonomicon", "Zodiac" (Neal Stephenson's cyberpunk books) and, also, "Darkeye: Cyber Hunter" (another cyberpunk book). But I read it, I loved it, I bought it. I am now reading Dan Brown's previous book, "Angels and Demons". So far, it's just as good. Live and learn, I suppose.

Rating:
Summary: IT'S ALL FAKE!!!!!!
Review: Nothing in this book is true (hence fictional). If you want something with DaVinvi's name on it try looking in an art history book. it's just a whole load of crap. don't bother spending all that money - because (like me) it will just piss you off and for all the uneducated beings - they will beleive what they read and think they are smart and start passing off false information...

Rating:
Summary: bottom of the barrel
Review: Lame, clunky, corny, simple, pedestrian, silly, contrived, wooden and that's just the dialogue folks!

Don't even get me started on the dopey plot.

A truly miserable effort, but hey Brown is crying all the way to the bank.

Rating:
Summary: Oh I'm really cool cause I hate something that everyone love
Review: At this point all the reviews are obviously bad. I just finished the book and must tell you it's a great thriller. I've followed Da Vinci's works a lot of time and this is just an incredible point of view, and an awesome way of introducing some culture to our stupid-religious society. I hope it spread it's word over the seas. Greatly recomended. Don't hear those trying to be different by low-rating this masterpiece.

Rating:
Summary: Spellbinding
Review: This is the book to which I set the standard for all of my reading, it is the book to beat. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and we've had a great time passing our recommendations along and discussing it with friends.

Rating:
Summary: YOU CAN'T PUT IT DOWN!
Review: This book is an amazing thriller! For those of you who still haven't picked up this book that has been at the top of the bestsellers list for ages, what are you waiting for? My suggestion is that you first read Angels & Demons as the main character appears in that book first. It will explain a bit about him during The Da Vinci Code. Just a warning...you may find yourself heading to the art musuem (or at art online for those of you who don't live near one like me) to take a closer look at Da Vinci's work for yourself! This book makes you step back and question 'What would religion be like today if the Bible had been compiled differently?' Interesting book that is a must read! Two other Amazon quick picks I recommend: [e-mail] by Tom Grimes, THE LOSERS' CLUB by Richard Perez. Special Thanks to previous reviewer who mentioned them.

Rating:
Summary: I Agree with the Pans
Review: I was pleased to see that many readers had the same reaction to the Da Vinci Code as I. Great subject matter. Could have made a very strong book. Puerile plotting and narrative. I felt like I had ordered one of those No Downpayment kits from an infomercial.