I wish my son were an author.....
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I only wish there was the facility to grant zero stars... I'm actively encouraging my son to take up novel writing as I believe he could turn out a novel far superior to this trite, hackneyed stereotyping waste of paper. DIRE. the characterisations are appalling, the plot unconvincing and at times so laughable that I thought it must have been written as a kids/comedy novel. I read the entire book waiting to see when the punchline would be delivered. Awful.
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Dark Vinci Code
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OK - but not too well written or plotted. For a parallel conspiracy and more depth - try:
Dark Windows
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The Da Vinci Code
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Once I began this extraordinary book, I could not put it down. "The Da Vinci Code" is so much more than a gripping suspense thriller. Dan Brown takes us beyond the main plot and leads us on a quest for the Holy Grail - a Grail totally unlike anything we have been taught to believe. With his impeccable research, Mr. Brown introduces us to aspects and interpretations of Western history and Christianity that I, for one, had never known existed...or even thought about. I found myself, unwillingly, leaving the novel, and time and time again, going online to research Brown's research - only to find a new world of historic possibilities opening up for me. And my quest for knowledge and the answers to questions that the book poses, paralleled, in a sense, the quest of the book's main characters. What a trip! What a read!
A violent murder is committed in the Louvre Museum. The museum's chief curator, who is also the head of a remarkable secret society that has existed since the death of Christ, is found dead and gruesomely positioned on the floor near The Mona Lisa. In the minutes before he died, this very complex man was able to leave clues for his daughter to follow. The daughter, a brilliant cryptographer, along with a famed US symbologist, follow her father's codes and leads, hoping that he will, through his death, finally tell her what he wanted to confide in her while he lived. The secret society included members such as: Leonardo Da Vinci, Boticelli, Gallileo, Isaac Newton, Victor Hugo, Jean Cocteau, etc. These folks really Did belong to this society, which Really existed! This is when I first began my online search.
The mystery, or mysteries, take us through England, France and far back in time. We learn about the secret of the Knights Templar, and the symbolism in many of the world's most treasured paintings, as well as architectural symbolism in some of history's most sacred churches. Of course, we also learn who committed the murder and why - although this is almost secondary next to the real epic mystery the novel uncovers.
If there are flaws in the plot, I was too busy reading to discover any. That is probably the sign of a terrific book! The writing is excellent and the characters are a bit on the super-hero/heroine side, but who cares? Is what "The Da Vinci Code" proposes true? Well, the research is correct. The historical events and people explored in the book are real. But no one knows the Truth...nor will we ever, probably. I think that some things are meant to be a mystery. With all the world's diverse religions and each individual's belief in what is Divine - the Truth would have to destroy the beliefs, hopes and lives of many of the world's population. So, perhaps, in the divine scheme of things, there are many more Truths than one. Don't take the book too seriously. Just read it and enjoy!
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A Disappointing Read
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I've just finished reading the Da Vinci Code. Everyone persuaded me to read it but I found it extremely disappointing. It started out OK but it soon became bogged down in fictional trivia, plus it had so many "puzzles" to solve I felt like I was 10 years old and back at school on some sort of paper chase - it became boring! And because its pace almost slowed to a halt, I nearly dozed off several times trying to finish it, after which I wanted to toss it out of the window! Dan Brown also Americanised this novel - and they're suckers for "happy" endings - but I'm sorry, why would a stranger than fiction family reunion and a subtle hint of romance between the two main characters towards the end suddenly stop all that greed for world power, high Church corruption, hired hit men, killing and mayhem? Did all the baddies suddenly evaporate by a kiss and a promise of a nice little holiday in Florence??? Give a break!! Dan liked to play the teacher in this novel but as a woman I really didn't appreciate being patronised by the wide-eyed little girl scenario where Sophie had to suffer (and me with her) being "taught" not only by her Grandfather but then by 2 other self-satisfied men professing to hold all the knowledge and all the answers - while Sophie batted her eyelashes - but wasn't Sophie cleverer than all the men put together? Sorry Dan. I won't be wasting time reading any of your other novels, but I'm sure you'll still be happy laughing at us all the way to the bank.
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This is really not a good book!
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I approached this book with a determination to have an open mind - however, having previously read Brown's other book, 'Angels and Demons', which I found to be well, rubbish, this was probably never going to be achievable! I don't wish to condemn the book without at least trying to offer some reasons, so here goes:
-He tries to hint at things (such as something scandalous Sophie saw her grandfather doing) at an attempt to be compelling but it just ends up being irritating. By the time you find out, you've either worked it out yourself and/or just don't care anymore. Compare this with the effortless and successful way writers such as Stephen King do it and you realise how clumsy a writer Brown is.
-The description of every...little...thing! Do we really need to know how long the Louvre is, or what colour that partiular pebble is (he doesn't do this obv, but you get the idea!). I for one found this really patronising.
-Speaking of patronising - All knowing male characters reveal the 'truth' to wide-eyed, totally receptive (no doubts! no questions!) female.
-It cannot be avoided: his exploitation and misuse of 'facts' (His number of those killed during the witch-hunt is just one example)- although one can accept the poetic license argument, its still really, really irritaing!
Overall, I think the plot is interesting, although the twist is not really clever, and I found the last few pages almost unreadable (I skimmed them), but I think the main problem is that Brown is just not a good or skilled writer or storyteller. I think this book benefitted enormously from the controversial subject matter, otherwise I think it would have been destined for the bargain bin a long time ago!
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United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada