Rating: 
Summary: Mona Lisa's Smiling
Review: Dan Brown has written a page turner added a little panache to the genre of thrillers. This one's a thriller jacketed in a web of art history, age-old religious mystery, and who-dunnit Alfred Hitchcockery. The writing is simplistic and definitely doesn't get in the way of turning the pages. Which works well for those feeding on the thrill, but less well for those thrilled by the well-turned phrase. But the world needs summer beach books, rainy weekenders, and lazy fall leaves turning pages on the metro. Literary high art it's not, this we've established, but the world has it's place for, "The Da Vinci Code," and it's a rather entertaining place at that.The character names are pure genre and comically laughable...there's Sophie Neveau the brainy damsel in distress, there's Robert Langdon/Indiana Jones/Jack Ryan as the American in the middle of it all, and there's even Leigh Teabing as the eccentric rich British Knight Historian to add color. The strength of this book really is Dan Brown's religious conspiracy theory modeling behind a thriller with codes and puzzles. It's a fetching formula that hasn't been very often previously postured in other thrillers. Brown does fringe the line of pseudo-intellectualism gone bad though as he references current cultural fare to prove a point...Kubrik's "Eyes Wide Shut," proves secret society sex rituals among other modern movies. It detracts from the purloined pace like a badly placed intermission. Don't let these minor critiques put you off though. I thoroughly enjoyed Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code," and it kept me engaged from beginning to end. Do you have a Eurorail pass? This might make perfect reading on the night train from Florence to Rome.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Read But ..........................
Review: Dan Brown has written a popular book which is a provocative and entertaining piece of FICTION. My major concern is that many readers will accept Mr. Brown's research as 'impeccable' and will accept his major premises about 'the historical Jesus', the Knights Templar, etc. as 'truth' [a dangerous term to use in today's postmodern world]. If readers are encouraged to engage in further research about the controversial subjects addressed in Mr. Brown's fictional novel, then indeed Mr. Brown has provided an excellent launching point for intellectual growth. If, however, readers accept Mr. Brown's major plot premises as factual, proven history beyond dispute, then Mr. Brown owes his reading community an apology for inaccurate and inadequate research for his novel. Hopefully, many will accept this book for what it is -- a fictional piece of literature. In that sense, this book is entertaining and interesting. And if it causes readers to research more about the subjects addressed, then it will have served a noble purpose.
Rating: 
Summary: Page-turner with Intellectual bonus!
Review: Dan Brown has written a work of page-turning fiction that's on a par with Michael Crichton that is combined with massive research into the mysteries of the Prieure de Sion and all the Rennes-le-Chateau material. Amusing that he names the murder victim that gets the ball rolling "Sauniere" - the surname of the priest in R-le-C who apparently discovered something big having to do with the Priory and Templars and who knows what else. A reviewer says the Catholic Church isn't interested in the Grail etc? That it is a depiction of the the church in 4 AD. Why all the mysterious deaths (I'm sure an inspiration) surrounding R-le-C? I thoroughly enjoyed this book and plan to read all of Dan Brown's work...
Rating:
Summary: entertaining, but pure fiction
Review: Dan Brown has written an entertaining book. Good fiction requires a foundation of fact. However, many premise concepts of this book are far from accurate. I am not writing this review to simply defend traditional Christian views of Christ. However, every reader should be aware that Brown is simply writing for entertainment. He changes well known facts about art history, in particular, Leonardo Da Vinci's life and work. He also changes well documented history of the formation of the Catholic church, the canonization of the Bible, and 4th century concepts of Jesus' divinity. It is obvious why he did this...to be polemic. It (obviously) sells books! He follows historical fact as far as it serves his story's purposes. But, when he needed to spice up the story or maintain plot he freely changed historical facts to fiction. If nothing else, my hope is that The Da Vinci Code will spark curiosity in all of these readers so that they will do their own research. Then they can discover more about the real history that Brown has sprinkled into his fiction.
Rating:
Summary: A Smart and Funny Fable
Review: Dan Brown has written an erudite, funny, and hugely entertaining fable about the history of Jesus, the Bible, the Roman Catholic Church, and those who study them. I suspect that the only readers who won't like "The Da Vince Code" will be those Christians so committed that they cannot see the fun in playing a fictionalized historical "What If?" game with the life of Jesus or those who are unwilling to suspend disbelief sufficiently to accept a wildly entertaining but preposterous tale. Trust me, the plot of this book has more to do with the Brothers Grimm than it does with provable historical fact. No matter, this is a tremendously satisfying read. 5 stars out of 5.
Rating:
Summary: Da Vinci Code
Review: Dan Brown has written an excellent book. His research is extremely well done. However, the book tries, but does not, engage the well educated reader. If one knows the history and the mythology surrounding the Medieval Templars and the Grail story, one is disappointed by the outcome of the book. Otherwise, the book is well written and exciting. There are a few things the book lacks but it is worth a read. He could have carried some of his research into ancient Near Eastern history and archaeology and built a stronger foundation for his premise.
Rating:
Summary: A murder in the Louvre is only the beginning!
Review: Dan Brown has written an immensely enjoyable thriller that will grab your attention on the opening pages. Blending vivid characters with fact, fiction, history, speculation and myth, The Da Vinci Code takes the reader on a fast paced search for the identity of a murderer. The victim is the renowned curator of the Louvre, a man of diverse interests who uses clues originally planted by Leonardo Da Vinci and others, to protect and preserve an ancient secret. Rousted from his hotel bed by the French Police; Robert Langdon, a Harvard professor and symbologist is brought to the galleries of the Louvre to witness and interpret the scene of the crime. Clearly the victim intended to communicate a message, however the meaning of it is as mysterious as the motive behind his murder. Aided by the granddaughter of the victim, a trained cryptologist, Langdon is thrust into a frenzied search for a killer; a search that might also lead to the answer of Christendom's most revered mystery, the Holy Grail itself! Nothing is ever quite what it seems, as each puzzle unfolds to reveal yet another question to answer. Doubt regarding allies and enemies persists as agents from French and British law enforcement, religious historians, the Vatican and Opus Dei jockey with the protagonists for the possession of a secret maintained by the mysterious Priory of Sion for almost two millennia. What sets this novel apart from the usual murder/pursuit genre is Mr. Brown's ability to merge details from art history, symbology, mathematics, forensics and theology into such a readable story. Descriptions like "page-turner" and "couldn't put it down" are more than appropriate for The Da Vinci Code. You'll find yourself racing the characters to interpret the various clues and puzzles, while breathlessly awaiting each turn of the plot. Upon reaching the end, the only question that might remain is "exactly how much is true... and how much is fiction?"
Rating:
Summary: good pageturner
Review: Dan Brown has written in my opinion his best novel to date. It is an interesting subject that is also a page turning thriller. But is it just me or do some of the reviewers think they are the smartest people on the planet?
Rating:
Summary: What a page turner
Review: Dan Brown has written of the the best books I have ever read. This was indeed a real page turner. Whether you agree or disagree with the facts presented the book was a sheer pleasure to read. I simply could not put it down. Well done!! I anxoiously await my opportunity to read another Dan Brown Novel.
Rating:
Summary: A Fantastic Trip
Review: Dan Brown has written the best mystery/thriller I've read in years. As we follow Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon on his journey beginning at the Louvre with a mysterious death. His need to solve the crime takes us on a fabulous journey through historical places and works of art. The fantastic research of the author reinforces the plot and keeps book's pages turning.
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