Rating: 
Summary: One Man's Appreciation
Review: First of all, this is a thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking suspense novel...a work of FICTION. (How many among those who have vilified it as "heresy" have read it?) Brown is a storyteller, not a theologian. Establishing tension and achieving dramatic effect explain his use (abuse?) of historical as well as theological material. With great skill, he introduces and then develops a number of interesting characters within a gripping and cohesive plot, guiding the reader to what proves to be (given the narrative's parameters) a plausible and pleasing conclusion. Set primarily in Paris, the focus is on Robert Langford and Sophie Neveu as they seek the Holy Grail while struggling to solve a series of puzzles. Their solution of one creates several new, even more complicated puzzles. Meanwhile, their lives are in danger. If they do not crack the Da Vinci Code, they will probably die. The 2,000-year old secret which that code protected will also be lost. Tension builds as clues (true and false) accumulate. Stalked by an assassin, Langford and Neveu are about to complete their quest when.... This work of fiction has indeed generated a great deal of controversy. In an article written by Antonio Calanni which appeared in Newsweek magazine, several questions are posed and then answered. For example: Q: Did Leonardo include Mary Magdalene in his "Last Supper"? A: Most art scholars say no. The figure reputed to be Mary Magdalene is actually the beloved disciple John, who is usually depicted young and clean-shaven. Q: Are Opus Dei and the Priory of Sion real organizations? A: Yes, but there is no indication that either is involved in any plot to conceal or reveal secrets of the Holy Grail. Q: What is the Holy Grail? A: The most widely accepted idea is that it was the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper. Others have hypothesized that it was a secret book. In the 12th century a French abbot claimed to possess it; his silver chalice now resides in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Q: Is there a secret cache of documents that reveal the true history of Christianity? A: No one knows, but scholars are busy analyzing ancient documents found in Egypt in the last century. These texts, known as the Gnostic Gospels, were lost for centuries, and could shed new light on the origins of the church. Q: Did Leonardo hide clues about church secrets in his paintings? A: Art historians doubt it. © 2004 Newsweek, Inc. Meanwhile, this novel continues to be a bestseller. No wonder that both the Mona Lisa and Dan Brown are smiling.
Rating: 
Summary: Despite what you might think, a good read none of the less
Review: I will agree with most people's reviews so far, this book is overhyped. I have rolled my eyes a couple times at points, but I wouldn't say that this book is bad. First of all, the facts in the book are pretty accurate. I have studied about the Holy Grail and the religous involvement with it for a couple years now, and Browns research seems to add up pretty well with it. I also read "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" and noticed some similarities between the two, such as The Priory and the name Sauniere, as well as the Dossier Secrets. But, I think the biggest problem people have with this book is the fact that it isn't very supportative of the Catholic church, and thats a problem. The facts in the book are true, maybe not entirely, but to a good extent, and people just don't want to believe it. Personally, I found a lot of the facts in the book refreshing and actually learned some interesting things. And it was nice to see someone who actually did some research for their book. Brown almost reminds me of Jane Jensen, who does some very similar work, but, Brown is much more interesting to read from. If you want more info on this kind of thing, Holy Blood Holy Grail is good as well as the computer game Gabriel Knight 3: Blood of the sacred, Blood of the damned.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic! Interesting Ideas...
Review: The Da Vinci Code is a wonderfully written thriller that seeks to excite the senses of its reader. The story weaving is both flowing and interesting at the same time. In this book, Brown also managed to combine important details within a fast moving, action packed book. Robert Langdon, a Harvard professor, receives a telephone call late at night while on business in Paris. It is revealed that the curator of the Louvre, Jacques Sauniere, has been murdered in a brutal fashion. This single incident ignites an electrifying chain of events - and Robert finds himself in the middle of all of it. Together with a French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, he sets out on a trail of discovery and back into the very roots of history. Fact or fiction? Readers need to discern for themselves the actual facts within this book. Fact and fiction are so cleverly blended together by the author as he creates scenarios that will take his readers for a ride throughout the streets of France and London. I had to check up on various things in the book to make sure they were true - and many of them were. I personally found the book very interesting, with all its riddles, works of art (by Da Vinci) and edge of the seat plot. However, some parts of the story are too far fetched to be true to real-life scenarios. For example, it seems far too incredible that Langdon and Sophie manage to escape the vices of the French police at every turn - with all their sophisticated technologies and such. But of course, I tend to ignore that flaw because a part of it is a work of fiction. Secondly, the author tends to repeat the same idea over and over again. Readers are given doses of the importance of the "Sacred Feminine" every few chapters and it gets worse towards the end. Is the need to enforce the "Sacred Feminine" so important that it needs to be spoon fed? I think not. Also, the connections made with the feminine 'chalice' and various existent icons become more vague and incoherent towards the end of this book. Thirdly, Brown makes some claims that cannot be regarded as real evidence. After all Leonardo Da Vinci was a member of the Priory of Sion, and what he believed had happened two thousand years ago cannot be regarded as historic fact yet. All in all, this book is still a great read. The factual references are great - I have to say I've learnt quite a bit about iconology in history and the links that it has with today. It's a book not to be taken too seriously, but purely as a fantastic thriller not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: Be ready to question longheld beliefs
Review: I had no idea what I was getting into when I started reading this book. It is a rivettting book that will teach you secrets and stories that may make you question how you actually view your own beliefs on religion and art. Beyond that its a great thriller that keeps you interested and questioning who was really behind the murder and all this intrigue. I have read Angels and Demons since reading the Da Vinci Code and I have to say DVC is better, Angels and Demons was good but I could see that the Robert Langdon story is somewhat formulaic. But I liked the formula better in DVC and the little tidbits of info was cooler.
I should warn that some people may be offended by some of the theories that are brought up by the characters, specifically questions about the Christian religion. My only statement to the theories is that there is nothing wrong with hearing another viewpoint its what you decide to do with it. I don't believe this book is anti-religion or even Christian, it is just bringing up questions that if people want to look further into them go ahead, and if you don't then just read it for story because it is well written and exciting. Plus there is a lot of cool decoding stuff.
Rating: 
Summary: Seen It Before
Review: Maybe the plot was ruined for me by my having played the computer game Gabriel Knight 3 a couple of years ago. It contains the exact same conspiracy theory, with Mary Magdalene and the Templars and the Merovingians and subtle hints in artwork. Everything - just from a slightly different angle. Frankly, I think the game made a more complex and satisfying mystery out of the same research. The Da Vinci Code was an entertaining read but like some other people here, I found it annoying when the characters displayed extreme stupidity in order to stretch out the plot for longer. And you just know this novel is destined for Hollywood when you find product placement ads for SmartCar in it. (Have you no shame, Mr. Brown?) It's not a terrible book, but I was expecting more meat here.
Rating:
Summary: very entertaining but still light reading
Review: This is a very entertaining book, especially to someone like myself who enjoys both conspiracy theories and theological theories. I was pleasantly surprised that it is light reading and very easy to follow - as some reviews have said it is set up like a book that will soon be made into a big Hollywood production. Personally, I think it's great because sometimes we just need a book with some intriguing thrills to take our mind off life and not challenge our brain (we have textbooks and Scientific American for that sort of thing!) I don't think anyone should take it seriously as far as theological history goes though. It is fiction and there is a mish-mash of different historical ideas that touch upon real theories I've read about, but are manipulated to benefit the fictional story and I would imagine were in no way meant to be considered truths. I also think that it was a little tasteless to use the name of a real Catholic organization in the plot, if I had been the author or editor I personally would have changed the name to a fictional one. Unless of course they were hoping for some controversy to help marketing - which wouldn't surprise me.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I absolutely loved this book; great concept with and extremely interesting viewpoint on the early church. I find it rather amusing how most of the poor reviews this book has received come from what appear to be Christian fanatics. The book, however, is not without its flaws. The characters are nothing more than cardboard cutouts. While I would have appreciated realistic, breathing, characters to read about, it in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the book.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing but doesn't seem to know how to end
Review: I'd say about the first 300 pages of the book were very interesting as all the grail lore was discussed and the writing was admirable but the ending of the book was rushed. I did not feel a sense of surprise at the end as I expected there to be some revelation. It was a bit of a let down. I did enjoy seeing the symbolism and legends connected in such a way but I am disappointed that something new was not in fact done. Still worth a read and if you can get it discounted for about $10.00 like I did go ahead and buy it.
Rating: 
Summary: A waste of time
Review: I haven't read a book this bad in a long time. The writing was poor, the topic was sensationalistic, the characters were stilted and often unrealistic, and the "revelations" the author makes about the artwork were not all that revealing. I had to force myself to read it and when I was done I actually threw it away I hated it so much. I'm relieved to know other people didn't like it either. I thought I was the only one in the country who wasn't in love with it.
Rating: 
Summary: Overrated at best
Review: I borrowed the book from a friend and read it in four hours. As a fast, entertaining read, it's not terrible, but neither is it great. This is a book written with movie rights in mind. I've been hearing about this book so much, and it's been a best-seller for so long, that I suppose I was expecting something more. From the raves, I'd assumed it was better written, and had more merit as a work of literary fiction than as a mere vehicle for a Hollywood blockbuster (How about Richard Gere playing Langdon with Sophie Marceau as Neveu?). For readers looking for a light read, Da Vinci Code will probably suffice. But this is NOT literature; the writing is, at best, mediocre. I agree with the reviewer who complained that the chapters' lengths (or lack of) became annoying. Each chapter reads like a movie scene -- ending on a cliffhanger and super-short to ensure our short attention spans don't wander. As for the "code" -- the intrigue starts out interestingly enough to hook you, but becomes subsequently more and more elementary with each step of the chase. Why did it take the "brilliant" characters so long to figure out the bank account number -- panicking instead for pages that Grandfather hadn't left them any number? It certainly doesn't take a genius to see that the number is, oh yeah, that 10-digit sequence left by the Grandfather in his dying moments. Why did it take them so long to see that the unintelligble script that had Langdon sweating (He'd never seen this language before anywhere!) was childish backward English? In the last third of the book, the plots veers from mildly suspended disbelief to ridiculous. I won't reveal all the plot "twists," but Dan Brown wants to keep surprising you, as in a thriller movie, and therefore changes everyone's roles around -- he's not who he really seems, he's really THIS!, oh but wait let's change it one more time! -- like a bad episode of ALIAS. After a while, I grew so tired of all the identity switcheroos that I looked to the most "unlikely" characters to be the true villains, and turns out I was right. And like one reviewer said, the deux ex machinas in several situations near the end rendered those scenes highly unsatisfying (the docent at the Roslin, for one). I suppose we were supposed to glean some hidden meaning with the multiple references to the olive greenness of Neveu's eyes. Also unsatisfying is the clumsily managed romantic "tension" between Langdon and Neveu. Better that Brown had omitted that and left that to our imaginations (we all saw it coming, anyway). This is pulp fiction. It's not historical, and it's not literary. As long as you know that going in, you might not be too terribly disappointed. I hope the movie is entertaining.
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