The Da Vinci Code

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Summary: For the educated and curious reader
Review: I'm sharing an informative webpage I found which has helpful links for anyone's personal efforts to crack the Code: www.thedavincicode.info.

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Summary: This book blew me away!
Review: I'm sorry but those complaining about his "bad" prose and "unbelievable" characters are missing the whole point. First, he has firmly established the credibility of his characters. I find them to be quite credible and believable - therefore, when they do escape more than once, well, hell, so what? I don't see how this was unfounded.

Second, I have researched what Mr. Brown contends in his message (yes, I believe that there is a message here) and after exhaustive research, he is not false in what his basic statements are. I highly doubt he would write such a novel full knowing that the unbelievers who are believers (eat that one) are anxiously awaiting to burn him at the stake.

I commend this author for opening in me what I have been yearning for after many jaded adult years - the inner child. I should receive special privileges from Borders for buying out their paganism, Da Vinci and Dan Brown books to give as a gift, not just to myself but to my friends.

I bought the Da Vinci code tonight for my dying grandfather in large print. I think it will make a great gift before he goes. As an aspiring author myself, I could only hope that I could create such an impact.

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Summary: THIS BOOK IS FALSE.
Review: I'm summarizing another review on here, because it seems like most of you guys would rather skim the important negative reviews, then turn right around and still give the book five stars.

Didn't you see?!? Those socalled "well researched factual ideas" ARE NOT TRUE. I hated the book just because it was written badly, but now I know that Dan Brown LIED, hoping that you guys would do what you've done and think that he was telling the truth.

This is pathetic sensationalism, and you guys bought into it.

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Summary: Sometimes this book gets a bad wrap
Review: I'm sure by now most have heard the hype, but the point is, you should still know this book is worth checking out. If only to see an example of stellar research and writing go a little mediocre before the last page. This is an enjoyable book and probably still the most instantly compelling book i've ever read... read the first 5 pages and you'll simply fall in. Don't expect to much though and you will not be dissapointed.

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Summary: Very enjoyable tale.
Review: I'm sure that some will be annoyed at the liberties taken by Mr. Brown took when explaining the conspiracies, but I thought they were fine considering this is a great fiction tale. I'm an engineer by trade and I've learned that authors need some freedom when writing. The story is number one and the fact a close second.

Great story, great plot, wonderful characters, and believable conspiracy, make this one of the best books I've read this year.

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Summary: Can't Stop Talking About It!!!!
Review: I'm the type that usually eschews 'Best Seller List' books. Mainly because I find that the books that make it have to do with name recognition and politics. However, I decided to try this book and haven't stopped talking about it. It took me over two hours to read and there were times I had to force myself to put it down to get my breath. It's one of the best books I've ever read. Literally. Also, when you're done, make sure you go to the www.thedavincicode.com and play the online code breaking game. Talk about original and fun! It's also free! Can't beat that OR this book. It's worth every dime.

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Summary: Action packed, fascinating and impossible to put down. Wow!
Review: I'm usually not into plot-driven novels. So The Da Vinci Code was a real change of pace for me. All I can say is "WOW". From the very first page I was absolutely captivated and found it impossible to put the book down. Dan Brown is the master of suspense. He knows just how to end each chapter with a cliffhanger. Most of the book takes place during a 24-hour period and the story reads like one exciting roller coaster ride.

The subject is one that I know nothing about -- religious societies, secrets of Da Vinci's paintings and the search for the Holy Grail. The author fed the reader the historical details at just the right moments to enrich the mystery, and as one preposterous thing after another happened to the main characters, I was always able to follow some of the complex puzzles that were constantly being uncovered.

The book starts with a murder. And a secret to uncover. There's a male historian who unwittingly gets involved. And a highly intelligent female code breaker who just happens to be involved in the secret. What follows next is a breathtaking race to prevent further violence. And, at the same time, discover the a secret that has implications for the entire world. Along the way, these two characters have to solve one puzzle after another. I was totally caught up in the unraveling of this web, which was described so clearly that I never had to stop reading.

I loved this book. It is so well paced and so interesting that it didn't even matter that almost no time was spent on character development. Here, the plot was everything and a mini-escape from the world around us. Just be prepared to schedule some time for reading. Because once you start The Da Vinci Code, you won't want to stop. Highly recommended.

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Summary: Historian's Nightmare
Review: I'm very disappointed by this novel's flaunting of itself as being correct in its details, though essentially fiction. For instance, the finding of the dead sea scrolls is misdated, and that's only the beginning of all the errors. It's sheer fantasy.

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Summary: A Fast-paced, Engrossing Wild Goose Chase
Review: I've been eyeing this book for months, what with all the buzz surrounding it. I finally broke down and bought it after I saw the PrimeTime special on the underlying premise of the book. I was not disappointed one bit. The book sucked me in after the first few pages and propelled me through to the end. My mind is still swimming with all the facts and historical tidbits that urge the story forward. I found Robert Langdon to be a pragmatic hero, and his female counterpart Sophie Neveu quite likable, too. Although Sopie's grandfather and Louvre curator Jacques Sauniere was murdered, he is one of the most lively characters in the book thanks to frequent references, his ingenius coding, and Sophie's flashbacks. Sir Leigh Teabing was hilarious enough, until the truth about him is revealed in the end. Law enforcement officers and members of the church provide a strong cast of secondary characters.

Though some readers may find the symbolism of the Grail actually being Mary Magdalene a bit over the top, I found it a challenging theory for Christianity to consider. In addition to being a swell read, the book itself was very informative on a plethora of symbology. This book might be the best-researched work of fiction I've ever read. Brown incorporates history and symbology into the plot flawlessly.

I look forwad to the next Robert Langdon book, as I've heard one is in the works. He's sort of like a nerdier Indiana Jones, whose adventures carry him through museums, libraries and cathedrals rather than Indie's slightlly more exotic locales.
If you want a clever mystery that moves at light speed, this book is for you.

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Summary: DAN BROWN: RACIST? or NOT A RACIST?
Review: I've been hearing that Dan Brown is a white supremacist and said some bad things about black women. Anyone here know if this is true? I see one of his readers (Minerva) harbors a negative attitude about black women but I haven't yet come across anything explicit from Dan Brown himself.