Rating: 
Summary: A serious disappointment
Review: My sister, an avid reader as I am, said, "You've GOT to read this book!" She failed to see it as fiction, and thought it was based on real secret research. (And she is an intelligent reader and great lover of thrillers.) This book ranks with The Red Tent in seriously disappointing books. The story is based on an old, old heresy the Catholic school kids used to share on the back of the school bus--that Jesus had an affair with Mary Magdalene. It takes the story a bit further than the nuns did (who may have shared that story just to make Jesus more 'human' and appealing to their students), suggesting that a daughter born of that liason inherited Jesus's Genes or something like that. It's not clear. Brown may have intended to appeal to feminists with the premise that the early Christian church was headed by Mary Magdalene, after Christ ascended, and that some young woman of her line still exists as a secret leader of the underground Christian church, but this idea is so fuzzily presented as to look like a ploy to appeal to women readers. I found it insulting. Like the much - touted Red Tent book, this is presented in a great cloud of detail, some of which adds to the fiction, most of which drags it down. It is hard to keep focused on the point of the story. It gets hard to even identify the point of the story. And, as with The Red Tent, it was a passable story until about mid-way, then it falls flat -- just too stupid to merit the hype. I did finish the book. I wanted to see whether it got better later. It didn't. It was lame at best, and a waste of time. One star is really too high a score for this tale.
Rating: 
Summary: Conjecture or Truth, Cause to Wonder...
Review: My usual book shopping route is a large looping, nose pinched shut, around any book that is being swallowed whole by the masses. Not out of arrogance, but simply because on those rare occasions when I have bent this rule, it has usually resulted in reading time wasted on literary fast food--quickly digested but of little nutritional value. I made an exception with Brown's "Da Vinci Code" because the premise fascinated me. Ever on the spiritual quest for enlightenment, the idea of a deeper relationship between Christ and Mary Magdalene was interesting, and appeared to have some merit, too, among respected theologians. I give. The first page of the first chapter nearly convinced me to dump the book after all. Mistake, I thought, should have kept to my usual rule. The opening was, well, ghastly. I was being manipulated into a formula page turner, dead bodies falling, mystery unravelling, clues spattering the pages. The book was a gift, however, and I had wanted it, so I wincingly read on. The manipulations worked. I began turning pages, and I turned them fast, even as I was aware every super short cliffhanger chapter of the book was holding me by the usual ploys of mystery writers of the day. The writing improved. But it was the premise that nailed me to the page. Brown had done his research, and he had enough truth in his fiction that my curiosity was peaked. A museum curator is murdered, leaving elaborate clues, leading down trail after trail, through twist after twist, speeding along the plot. A cryptographer, granddaughter of the murdered curator, chases down the clues with her partner (later, predictably, her love interest) who is a historian-symbologist summoned by the curator himself, literally in blood. Authorities on their heels, they race from clue to clue, putting together the puzzle pieces that eventually lead to a secret society working to preserve the idea of a Holy Grail that is not a chalice, but indeed the sacred feminine, a church built on Mary Magdalene as the rock of the church rather than Peter. Christ's partner and wife? Intriguing. The established Church is furious and bristly at the idea, and that is easy enough to imagine. Brown creates a plausible mystery. Whether based on conjecture or elements of truth, that is what has drawn so many readers to so breathlessly turn these pages, and to question traditional beliefs and reexamine them, whatever the conclusion, is never a bad thing. If for this reason alone, I recommend the book.
Rating: 
Summary: A guilty pleasure
Review: My wife read this book first and enjoyed its mysteries, revelations and pacing, but was uncomforable with its portrayal of Christianity. I share her feelings, but we both agree the novel is worthwhile as a guilty pleasure. The book is cleverly and expertly done. The use of real historical organizations, such as the Priory of Sion, Opus Dei, and Knights Templar give it a serious, true-life sense. The fact that larger-than-life historical figures like da Vinci were involved with -- and even led -- The Priory of Sion gives it wonder. And author Dan Brown has cooked up a clever premise in which the foundation of Christianity would be shaken if the "truth" were known. And so the chase is on, with a symbologist, a cryptologist, and eventually a Royal historian solving riddles and rhymes in their search for the Holy Grail, with the French and eventually English authorities nipping at their heels as they are blamed for an increasing number of murders. But what starts out as a fascinating cerebral adventure with a near literary tone can't quite hold that highminded course. What commences as wine and filet mignon dwindles to cola and hamburger. Maybe that's what happens when you cross the channel. The richest parts of the book come when we are in the head of the protagonist, Robert Langdon -- especially at the beginning, when he sees a historical, even ancient, symbolism in practically every object that meets his eye. These roots of our now familiar symbols are fascinating. But when the chase is on and ongoing puzzles need to be solved, they become tedious and even simplistic. The "difficult" clue concerning Sir Isacc Newton and an orb? Duh! And the "unseen" bad guy was all too obvious. Plus, I don't really think the French and English police are as dumb, naive and comical as this book would lead you to believe. However, when Ron Howard and his "Brilliant Mind" team produce the movie, as I've read they will do, I'm sure a lot of these discrepancies will be ironed out. Hopefully, the movie will hold to that rich Mona Lisa atmosphere the book so promisingly begins with. I have faith. As for the attack on Christianity, when He was arrested Jesus told Peter to put up his sword. Because, if He needed to, He'd bring down legions of angels to kick butts. That's good enough for me. Meanwhile, everyone should enjoy The Da Vinci Code and take it for what it is -- a work of fiction built from elastic facts, like looking at clouds and seeing myriads of differing visions. Anyway, Langdon's true insights on symbols are worth the price of admission.
Rating: 
Summary: Light weight fare
Review: Never buy a book with the word Code in the title. That is one message that can be derived from a perusal of this book. But perusal is perhaps too strong. The book does not require careful reading to reveal that it is built on rather flimsy intellectual foundations, and that the writing is very awkward. There are some interesting asides pertaining to historic survivals, and to the origin of words, but for the reader who loves the crafting of words, richness of style, this book is a vast disappointment.
Rating:
Summary: Christians Should be Horrified
Review: Never having read any of his books, the synopsis sounded interesting. However, as a Christian, I found this one of the most disturbing books in print. More credible scholars than Dan Brown, even those in the 1st century, agree that the formation of the Bible was accurate. Jesus was not married and did not sire offspring. None of the 456 Old Testament prophecies about Jesus mention a spouse or offspring, but the ones predicted came true. DaVinci talented/genius? Yes. We humans do not want to read that something we are doing is against His will, so we make up stories to fit our lifesytle. The Word of God was given to 23 men to share in 66 books. Woman are vital to the church, but not as Dan Brown would have you believe. Read the Bible, know the truth!
Rating:
Summary: What I expected
Review: Newsweek recently described this novel as a "blockbuster thriller full of religious mumbo-jumbo and cracker barrel art history." I couldn't agree more. I read this book at the recommendation of my grandmother, who considered it to be a brilliantly crafted work of literature backed by scholarly research. However, I discerned immediately that a novel of such popularity in the masses could not possibly be TOO literary. Our public in general does not like to think. And the book matched my expectations. Brown's prose is utterly graceless and pedestrian, dispelling any pretense of intellect or refinement. Brown does not even make a minor attmept to develop his characters. Langdon and Neveu are cardboard cutouts of "good guys," the pathetic caricature of a British twit made me burn with embarrassment for the author, and the stupid albino giant is just plain laughable. The plot, while undeniably a page turner, is full of inconsistencies and at times is just absurd. The (plagiarized) theories that serve as the backbone of the novel are interesting for a moment but quickly lose credibility in Brown's attempt to relate them to everything in the world. The Little Mermaid as the Sacred Feminine? Give me a break. Brown insists on whacking the reader over the head repeatedly with the same old revelation from a hundred pages ago. And the climax, in which he reveals the least suspicious character to be, in fact, the villain, is so sloppily contrived and cliche that I had to laugh. Dan Brown must truly believe himself to be writing for an audience of imbeciles. And, given the acclaim and hype that has rushed in from the public, I would have to say that his assumption is correct.
Rating:
Summary: So so
Review: Nicely researched. Doesn't have nearly the character appeal as any of Crichton's books.
Rating:
Summary: Junk Food For The Brain
Review: No less than four of my friends recommended this book to me, knowing that I am quite an enthusiast of esoteric religions and conspiracy theories. Not being a big fan of fiction, I figured I'd give this book a shot anyway, due to the fact that it came so highly recommended. For all the chest beating about how "well researched" this book is, it seems as if the "historical" information is quite fabricated and contrived. The characters have a surreal, almost cartoonish quality about them, and give the reader almost no human qualities to identify with (A muscular albino religious fanatic assassin? Give me a break!) The "suspense, murder mystery" theme is so contrived and predictable I found myself almost laughing any time there was a 'chase' or 'murder' scene. I'm certain that a fifteen year old could have written a more interesting book for a Creative Writing class, as the writing here is sub par and amateurish. This book is yet another piece of "Wonder Bread" literature- i.e. a lot of people like it, but it isn't very nutritious.
Rating:
Summary: The Da Vinci Code
Review: No stars for this one. But would not let me submit unless I put in at least one! I understand that this book is a copy of the book called, "Daughter of God" which is about the BEST book I've read this year and I don't do fiction usually. I write myself (Bible research) and I don't think an author copying someone else's work is worthy of reading. Okay, so "Daugher of God" has some unusual things in it (me a Baptist). But if you don't stretch you're mind once in a while you will never learn. Take a chance - be brave.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Book for its Genre
Review: No this is not "War and Peace." You will not need to put the book down to reflect on its moving prose.
HOWEVER, this book thrills and chills. I felt exhausted keeping pace with our hero and his companion as they navigated themselves through a night and a day in Paris, the French countryside and England.
In addition, this book also educates or re-educates the reader on the traditional view of Mary Magdalene in the bible. I actually surfed the web after I read the book to learn more about Jesus' supposed marriage-which many scholars support-and the possibility of a line of children.
I would recommend this book strongly for those individuals who enjoy the thriller genre. If you are dogmatic in your Christian beliefs or an Art History purist, then this book may not be for you. But if you want a fun, fast read for a few nights, you'll get it with The DaVinci Code.
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