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Summary: Great Mystery Novel - All the bad reviews are from Catholics
Review: I have read some of the reviews and felt compelled to write my own. First, if you notice, all of the bad reviews are from readers who are obviously Mid-Western Catholics or Bible-belt people who are taking the book too personally. First of all, the book is FICTION! Of course it's not going to be wholly accurate!! These religious zealots that are so in an uproar about this need to loosen up. Better yet, instead of burying Dan Brown's literature, why don't you go pray instead? Literature is meant for enjoyment and to be thought provoking - Dan Brown had done an exceptional job of this. I recommend this book.
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Summary: Wow! I am Stunned! Don't Miss This!
Review: I have read some of the reviews, and I don't see why people take it so literally. Last time I looked, it was a work of fiction! This book is the best I have read this year, right behind Angels and Demons, also by Brown. The story gets interesting from the first page, and you cannot put it down. Brown uses historical links to Masons and the Church to really get you wrapped up in the Secret Society bit. Once you start reading this, you will be in awe. If you only read one book this year, make it this one. Better yet, if you have not read Angels and Demons, pick both up and read that one first! You will not be sorry!
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Summary: Masterpiece Theatre
Review: I have recently developed a habit of reading in front of my computer. I use an online dictionary, I google things I want to learn more about, and I bring up pictures of places, people, or things I am reading about. Reading Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code in front of the computer was a great thrill. I found the book to be just so-so, but the things I learned online were incredible. For example, I took an online tour of Westminster Abbey and was able to view the sepulcher of Sir Isaac Newton. I pulled up images of the Da Vinci works that were used in the novel. I took a tour of the Louvre and saw the pyramids that play such a central role in the book. Unfortunately, I did not learn any new words. It would be mostly unfair to criticize Brown's book for its superficiality. It is a mystery, a thriller; and as an instance of this genre, I found it to be a compelling read. It also led me to other places to read more on the Grail, on Da Vinci, and on the early Church. That's not such a bad thing. But as others have pointed out, the characters in Brown's book are cardboard cutouts and the plot becomes incredulous at times. This plot, in other hands, may have produced a fleshy substantive work that kept me in the book and off the web. Pick up the book, go to the beach, and enjoy.
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Summary: Intelligent and Gripping...You Can't Put It Down!!!!
Review: I have seldom, if ever, been so completely entranced by a book. I stole every possible minute from my busy schedule to read this book. Rather than being insulted by flimsy, ill-researched "factoids", this book culls all of ones knowledge and focuses it to a fine point. Without being pretentious Dan Brown has stitched together spiral shaped mini-plots into a winding Nautilus to make the over-all plot onfold brilliantly while keeping you totally blind to what is coming next. The writing is unimpeachable, and you will find yourself flipping back several chapters as a seemingly new clue is revealed to be merely an echo of something you overlooked earlier. Rilliant. I am now an official Dan Brown afficionado!!!! I can't wait for the next book!
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Summary: An entertaining read with lots of interesting information
Review: I have so far read 4 of Dan Brown's books (Angel & Demons, DaVinci Code, Deception Point & Digital Fortress) and three features of his writings stand out. First, audacious plotlines; Brown does not believe in small measures but goes out on a limb- heck, this guy re-defines audacity! The plotlines are way over the top but have just that crucial amount of credibility to draw in a reader, even when he knows it is fiction. Second, the pace is mercilessly quick; the entire plot of the book plays out over a few days at most. Last but for me the best of all, his books have a wealth of esoteric information that one would not normally read about. I found myself enthralled by a never ending series of factoids that had me rushing to the Internet for explanation or elaboration. I like books that teach me something new, or even give me a new perspective on something I already know, and Dan Brown manages this easily. DaVinci Code for my money is his best effort till date and it features all the above 3 characteristics. The mysterious death (and its perplexing manner) of a respected Louvre curator sets symbologist Robert Langdon and cryptographer Sophie Neveu (also the curator's granddaughter) on a quest whose twists and turns are guided by a series of cryptic clues. To reach their journey's quest, Langdon and Neveu have to solve the puzzles using history, language and ingenuity, while hard on their heels follows the killer, a misguided monk. I was totally enthralled in the cracking of the various codes, spiced up by Brown's customary dose of history and intrigue, art and artists. I found the book absolutely fascinating. There have been complains that the book is anti-Catholic and about the accuracy of Brown's research. I am not qualified to comment on the research accuracy and while the Catholic Church does not exactly come off smelling of roses, well, this is classified as a work of fiction after all. Don't take it too seriously people, lighten up! This is not a research thesis but a novel. If it sets you thinking, fine, but mainly, it is an entertaining read with lots of interesting information, much (though not all of it) true. Highly recommended.
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Summary: *****Unbelievably believable*********
Review: I have studied the non-fiction work of the subject of this book for years and can tell you that the author weaves a suspenseful story into the context of something far bigger and probably truer than most people want to acknowledge. For those who love conspiracies and alternate views of history this book is for you. Readers of this book will also likely enjoy ****REVELATION UNSEALED**** by Donald Salerno. It is a non-fiction work about endtime bible prophecy that is just as absorbing and captivating as the Davinci Code. More books like these need to be on the market....
Rating:
Summary: Good book
Review: I have to admit I haven't been able to sit down and read a book straight through in a long time. I have wanted to read many of the books I own and complete several the series. I decided though to get myself back into the mood of reading...I'd get a book on the top 10 list of books being read. I am glad I chose The Da Vinci Code as my icebreaker into reading. What I found the most fascinating was the references to actual artwork, songs, movies and even the word assocations. It was a good story with many twists and turns to the story to keep you interested. This is a piece of fiction, and some people have noted that they found some references offensive. I could see how this book my set some people off but really you have to understand it's only an opinion. Everything can be interpreted in many different ways. What I am going to take away from this book is a fascination for symbolism, codes and really a higher interest in art. The book references many real locations, I hope to someday actually see them.
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Summary: aka Foucault's Pendulum for Dummies
Review: I have to admit I'm biased, Umberto Eco being one of my favorite living authors, but The Da Vinci Code is just a pale imitation of Eco's sublime and meticulous work. The prose is excruciating the plot transparent and the characters are pure cliches. The random historical facts Brown throws in come across as smug and extraneous; he reminds me of that one kid in every class who thinks his constant off-topic comments impress the professor. Please please turn back now and buy Foucault's Pendulum instead.
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Summary: Intriguing Eye Opener
Review: I have to admit that I am not the type to read a book with any kind of religious component, however this was one of the best books I have read in a very long time! First and foremost this is a page turning thriller, a sort of Indiana Jones if the film were first a novel. The only difference being instead of the brash and daring Harrison Ford, this novel features more relatable symbologist Robert Langdon. What makes this novel stand out amongst the many other thrillers is Dan Brown's ability to take you on a journey through the intriguingly dense worlds of symbology, art history and religious theory without losing you along the way. By constructing his story as a treasure hunt we are able to learn as he does and in doing so become easily engrossed in his ultimate quest. And most importantly to those who do not possess any knowledge in these fields, Dan's main character is able to explain all we need to know without being condescending. Ultimately, if you believe his theories or not, care about religion or not, this is a compelling story full of twists and turns that keeps you wanting more even when the book is over. I would recommend anyone looking for a great eye-opening ride to pick up this book. It will be hard to put down! And I can't wait to see the movie!
Rating: 
Summary: Historical Fiction?
Review: I have to admit that I really enjoyed The Da Vinci Code. It was a page turner. I was impressed by Mr. Brown's interweaving of facts and fiction... but it got to a point that I am concerned many people are forgetting that it is a fictional novel! Many people are using it a historical research, which it is not. Although it does bring to public attention some issues of Church history that will be new to many. A good read, if you keep your eye on the main point... this is intended to be an enjoyable novel (not a research paper). Enjoy!
P.S. I enjoyed this much more than Angels & Demons, which was much more violent and had way too much blantant foreshadowing.
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