Rating: 
Summary: Please, it's FICTION
Review: Many reveiwers have taken the time to explain the historical inaccuracies of this book and his poor writing. Fine. His poor research aside, even if this is called "fiction", the bottom-line is that so many ARE TAKING IT AS FACT. Some even go so far as to say "religion is debunked." Come on! This is a novel, not a treatise and should be considered as such.
Rating: 
Summary: Originally intellectual thriller
Review: Many reviewers call this book "an intelligent thriller", which surprises me a bit. For me "intelligent thriller" is sinonimouse to "clever" and, thankfully, such novels are not that rare. I'd call it an INTELLECTUAL thriller. It's main strength and most dazzling parts are not action, but historical theories.
Now, that's refreshing. Many novels were based on different historical theories, but it's the first one to make the theory the center of the novel, and not just a background for shooting and explosions.I enjoyed reading this novel a great deal. The pace of the novel is good. There is not much in the way of actual action - it's mostly talking, really, but it's engaiging talking. As the novel touches upon history of the christianity, I believe, that some people will find it offensive. But in reality it's no more offensive then some historical novel about Inqusition in that it doesn't say anything against Christian faith, but raises some questions with catholic church. The main drawback of the novel is that Mr.Brown played with the actual facts to fit them better into his theory. While this is allright in any other book, it's NOT in this kind. It's the same as playing with numbers in your accounting.
Rating: 
Summary: Too Much For Me
Review: Many unexpected twists, turns, and curves made The DaVinci Code interesting at first, but as these surprises continued relentlessly, I grew tired. With mysteries, I as the reader, at least like a chance to try to figure out "who dunnit" -- but even the most astute could not have in this plot, I believe. I also had trouble with discerning fact and fiction, and that bothered me - especially considering the substance of the plot. Disclaimers on a lead-in page of the book lead one to believe that information regarding secret societies and their practices are factual. But the obvious question then becomes, "If they are secret, how do we or the author know about them?" The end was a little too soppy for me, also. Starting out, it was a real page-turner, and all in all, it was not a bad read, although putting it down became easier from the middle on. Generally speaking, it was all just a little too much for my taste.
Rating:
Summary: Totally Agree w/For The Ignorant...
Review: Mary's Review on The Da Vince Code Very well said, reader from the Bronx! I read this book because I was excited to hear that someone had finally written a fantastic novel combined w/Christian history. I must say that I did find the book to be a page-turner but was disappointed with the ending. But, I am at least glad to know that it may spark an interest in people to get off of their butts and search for the TRUTH! It's out there for anyone who wants to sort through the many, many layers of muck... If you are hungry for knowledge and are confused about Christianity, read "The New Dance of Christ" by Anthony T Massimini. It's a good place to begin your quest for understanding your Christian culture and the Christian psyche. It's wonderful read and although Massimini is promoting Christianity and trying to save it from extinction, you can draw your own conclusions with the "FACTS" that he demonstrates in the very well written book... I wonder how many people realize that much of the mindset of Christianity stems directly from Plato's philosophy? Or that much of what is taught to Christians about its origins is Only A Shadow (pun intended! ;-)) of the truth? If you are really serious about understanding your Christian heritage, read The New Dance Of Christ. It's a wonderful read-a real page-turner AND, you can be sure that what you are reading is REAL HISTORICITY...
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Maybe after hearing so much about this book, I'd set my expectations too high. But upon finishing this remarkably mediocre book, I couldn't help but scratch my head and wonder how in the hell this "novel" continues to top the best-sellers list. As others have mentioned, this clunker reads as if the author is absolutely itching to sign on for the movie. The chapters are so short, you wonder if the target audience has A.D.D. The concepts are interesting, yes...but the prose is jerky, the characters remarkably flat and completely unengaging. All Dan Brown has done is find an absorbing topic and convert it into what is ultimately a very lame "thriller." I never have been impressed with the genre; thrillers are for those who don't have the capacity to appreciate REAL literature. Don't waste your time on this book. Even a common idiot could figure out the "clues" that our supposedly "genius" characters puzzle over like dumb dogs for chapters. Examples: wow, could the ten-digit code to the vault possibly be the ten numbers Grandpa wrote on the floor in his dying moments? Could the password to the cryptex possibly be - gasp! - his granddaughter's name? And honestly, what moron wouldn't recognize Leonardo Da Vinci's famous backwards handwriting? I thought these characters were supposed to be SMART. Bottom line: skip it. You're not missing much.
Rating:
Summary: Fact or Fiction?
Review: Maybe it's because I've taken too many lit course, but I had a hard time reading this. Not because of its complexity, Brown does a good job writing to the average American, but because I felt that much of this book was just a convient vehicle for delivering a history lesson. The plot itself is fasinating, but you have to wade through historical detail that holds the story down.
Rating: 
Summary: Best book I read in 2003
Review: Maybe the characters are a little flat and last quarter lacks the strength of the rest of the book; but, if for no other reason than this book got me to look at "The Last Supper" it was worth it. Yet, it was better than just that. I looked forward to each reading and forced myself to put it down each night. I don't think about religion and art much, so it was a bit of a catalyst for me. A perfect book, no; one I'd recommend to all my friends, absolutely.
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: Interesting, but that's about it.
Review: Maybe this is the reason why I don¡¯t read suspense novels. I can¡¯t take the suspense!
Ok, all right, lame jokes aside¡
So the book then¡ It¡¯s fascinating, certainly, but well written? Hmm¡
To tell you the truth, I think as long as the writing¡¯s coherent it¡¯ll still be an intriguing read simply because of the subject matter ¨C Mary and Jesus sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g¡? The writing¡¯s OK, but just that I¡¯ve read so many better written books.
While I know a mystery novel needs to incorporate some cliff-hangers, it gets a bit silly after a while and it lost its power to be gripping, especially if the author wants to end every chapter with one and also had the bright idea to divide the book into almost a hundred chapters. I found this book to be extremely ¡®well rehearsed¡¯, particularly during flash backs of Langdon teaching at Harvard, it doesn¡¯t get any more clich¨¦d than this ¨C the dumb jocks, the ¡®edgy¡¯ comebacks, the silence and wonder in the room after a revelation¡ it¡¯s so over the top it¡¯s funny. Well¡ I laughed anyway. I doubt I¡¯ll ever read this book again simply because once you¡¯ve finished it, what¡¯s the point in re-reading it? It¡¯s much more likely you¡¯ll want to investigate all the ¡®facts¡¯ or imagine what would happen if it were real. Dan Brown¡¯s opened up the world to a new ancient conspiracy, and you know us humans¡ We love a good conspiracy!
Rating:
Summary: Formulaic, and completely implausible
Review: Mind candy for the literally challenged. The title above says it all.
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