Rating: 
Summary: A Great Read
Review: This is my time reading a novel by Dan Brown and I couldn't help but be amazed by the work. It brings into question the essential question of "what do you believe in?" which not many books accomplished to the degree Dan Brown has. Intrigue, Conspiracy, and Adventure are the core of this book, and if you like any of these themes get this book. It reads easily and at times the suspense just kills you, you don't want to put it down... Hope this helps
Rating: 
Summary: The Holy Grain of Salt
Review: This is not a book for theologists, art historians, academics, or intellectuals. It is for curious, reasonably intelligent people who can admit that they know very little about Leonardo Da Vinci or religious history, even if they are well-educated in other subjects. If this describes you, then "The Da Vinci Code" may just blow your hair back, and hopefully entice you to go out and explore other (ahem, better, more well-researched) books on these topics. Brown does succeed in presenting ideas and theories most of us have never considered or even heard about, and it has the potential to challenge an average person's religious views and beliefs. I found some of it downright fascinating, but as I told my father (who gave me the book), I wish he had simply written a nonfictional essay, outlining his various theses--however "half-baked" they may seem to those religious scholars out there--in similarly simplistic language (ie. layman's terms) for those of us who are less knowledgeable but still fascinated. What I do admire about Brown as a writer is his ability to reach a large number of people from vastly different walks of life. By veiling his sentiments (however thinly) in a popular fictional genre (however awkwardly), he has attempted (and succeeded, judging from the sheer number of reviews on Amazon.com) to "spread the word"--a strange new gospel of Dan, if you will. As a composer in a decidedly unpopular musical genre, I can appreciate that accomplishment for what it is. Having said that, I cannot recommend "The Da Vinci Code" as great fiction. Read it if you love art but don't know it; read it if you are fascinated by religion but not religious; heck, read it if you are on vacation (I was) and you need a fun read at least two steps above Danielle Steele. But most importantly (and I say this about most things in life, because nobody has the answers), read it with a grain of salt! Ideas are just ideas, however dramatic, explosive, and offensive they may seem. Think of this book as speculative cocktail conversation, with a few exaggerated Hitchcockian details thrown in for spice. We all enjoy that from time to time.
Rating:
Summary: Light and fun, and engrossing
Review: This is not a deep book. It reads more like one of the Hardy Boys meeting up with Nancy Drew in adulthood. The writing is on the same par. We have our two super sleuths, a paternal grandfather, the British "professor" (Teabing), bumbling police, good and evil secret societies, the ever-popular albino hit man, indecipherable codes (Quick, get me a mirror -- it's reversed text!), etc. The shortwave radio has been replaced by black light pens, transponders and GPS tracking. There are many chapters. But no fear, they are all short. And though each one ends with a cliffhanger, this technique becomes tiresome. Brown, via his cartoon characters, starts out very well explaining symbology in historical art, and the way the Holy Grail plays into it. And though it is interesting, it tends to become a real stretch. (I mean please, Leonardo Da Vinci is farther removed from the days of Christ than we are to Leonardo. What would he really know? Oh, that's right -- he's part of a secret society). This subject though would incline one to read more serious books on the matter. But then Brown really sinks into absurdity, when he protracts it to Walt Disney and the "real" reason for his choices of animated stories; and further still, after Walt's death, to The Little Mermaid...and friends. (Give me a break, OK?) And later he infers, modern day pranksters flashing V-signs behind their buddies heads, when being photographed, are really unwitting participants of some ancient fertility god and horn symbology. (No Mr. Brown, trust me; those are simply bunny ears...b-u-n-n-y...not horns). If Brown believes rabbit ear pranks are serious forms of symbology; then what does that say about the rest of his "learned" hypotheses? Anyone can see any sort of symbol in anything. But Brown sees more than horsies and duckies when looking at cloud formations. Way more. This is ripe material for the all-night paranormal radio shows with their pseudo-science "experts" and conspiracy kooks. Well, I could go on and on. This book won't enhance your life, but it won't hurt it either. It's reminiscent of adolescent detective books from our past, and it was fun to go back there for a short while. It's full of cheap thrills and empty calories and therefore...a guilty pleasure. At least Scrappy Doo doesn't make an appearance. I need to mention, thanks to the publishers for offering this book as an "ebook". More publishers need to wake up to this type of reading device. I normally do not read popular fiction; and if this book had not been offered as an ebook -- I NEVER would have wasted the time to purchase it.
Rating: 
Summary: Wait for the Movie
Review: This is not a literary novel. Is it a genre novel? I'm not sure it's a novel at all. It's more like a screenplay in book form. The characters are so cliché that it's obvious the author was thinking about the movie rights from the start. Have you seen Frantic with Harrison Ford? It's basically the same characters engaged in a different plot. Mr. Angry police officer (that really is his name in French: "Monsieur Fache") tries to pin Langdon, nice eligible 40 something professor, with a murder and along comes totally hot young intellectual Sophie for an early save and the start of a bizarre adventure involving a lot of chasing, "aha moments" and Mr. Angry being angry. I was ready to ignore all the factual inaccuracies and suspend disbelief in order to enjoy a good yarn but the writer treats his readers with such lack of intelligence the book became annoying. A sample passage:
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'What's the captain's name?' Langdon asked, changing topics.
'Bezu Fache,' the driver answered, approaching the pyramid's main entrance. 'We call him le Taureau.'
Langdon glanced over at him, wondering if every Frenchman had a mysterious animal epithet. 'You call your captain the Bull?'
The man arched his eyebrows. "Your French is better than you admit, Monsieur Langdon.'
My French stinks, Langdon thought, but my zodiac iconography is pretty good. Taurus was always the bull. Astrology was a symbolic constant all over the world.
--- OK we get it. I think as a movie, this story will be more enjoyable. Lots of running around Paris in a Citroën while visiting nice old buildings and Jean Reno as the grumpy police captain. A fun thriller and if you don't like it, you'll have only wasted 2 hours.
Rating:
Summary: Save Your Money
Review: This is NOT an "intelligent and lucid thriller." The materail about the Grail Myth is okay, the symbolic interpretaitions of famous works of art and lit are okay, but after that, the book is just plain dull. The characters are flat, cardboard figures. The plot is a maze of coincidences and last second, farfetched solutions to unbelievable problems, as though the author is just making things up as he goes along. The writing plods forward. I believed the hype. You'd think I was old enough to know better.
Rating:
Summary: Thanks for making me think
Review: This is not intended as a literary review. instead, this is intended as a thank you to the authour for the production of a piece of fiction that has made me anxious to learn and discuss. I normally read non-fiction. The Latin teacher on my hall said "You have to read this!" I did. I passed it on to an English teacher who in turn passed it on to another English teacher. My entire high school wing has read, enjoyed as well as delighted in the discussions arising from this book. This book incited us to research and discuss meaningful topics. We have been re-inspired by this piece of fiction to seek out the truth and revel in discussion. Thank you Dan Brown for a reintroduction to the world of wonder.
Rating:
Summary: Can't get past the first 50 pages
Review: This is one book I am having a hard tme reading. Think I will try to continue reading and maybe will stick with it.
Rating:
Summary: Breath Taking Ride Through History
Review: This is one book that will amaze you in every chapter and keep those pages turning. Dan Brown's immense imagination burrows its way starting from a murder in Louvre Museum back through the 2,000 years of European history. Did Jesus have any descendants? Who was really Mary Magdalene? Did the most spectacular brains of Western Civilization all belong to a secret society? What could be their purpose? And how are all these fascinating questions related to the murder case with which the book begins so "innocently"? Dan Brown will lead you through the labyrinths of possibilities and juicy conjectures that you've never dreamt of before. Great non-stop entertainment. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Best Book EVER
Review: This is one of the best (if not THE best) book I have ever read. Talk about a thought provoking book..this is it. Those who are of the Pagan/Wicca/Catholic beliefs will TOTALLY enjoy the read. I don't think the Catholic church will see it that way, but with all the true facts in this book, they may be upset. BEST READ EVER.
Rating:
Summary: The best!!!
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read! Great characterization, fast and intricate plot, interesting puzzles I couldn't even begin to fathom, and a fascinating central theme. I've read a couple books now by this author, and really admire his writing and his research. His books are hard to put down--you find yourself devouring them at 3:00 a.m. For those reviewers who don't like this book, I'm wondering: Gee, having a little problem integrating your feminine side? Lighten up! Chew on some of the ideas for awhile before you spit them out so quickly and vehemently. You may find some nuggets of gold that get you to think outside of your box.
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