The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Paperback, 608 Pages
2009, Anchor
ISBN: 0307474275
Synopsis
While in Paris on business, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon receives an urgent late-night phone call: the elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum. Near the body, police have found a baffling cipher. While working to solve the enigmatic riddle, Langdon is stunned to discover it leads to a trail of clues hidden in the works of Da Vinci -- clues visible for all to see -- yet ingeniously disguised by the painter.
Langdon joins forces with a gifted French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, and learns the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion -- an actual secret society whose members included Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo, and Da Vinci, among others.
In a breathless race through Paris, London, and beyond, Langdon and Neveu match wits with a faceless powerbroker who seems to anticipate their every move. Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine puzzle in time, the Priory's ancient secret -- and an explosive historical truth -- will be lost forever.
Review
What can be said about The Da Vinci Code that hasn't already been said before? The book is one of the bestselling books of all time. The movie was equally popular. The story line, characters, and quality of Dan Brown's writing have been debated to death. The Da Vinci Code truly swept the world.
The Da Vinci Code has been criticized for being poorly written fluff. I just don't see it. The book isn't a hard read, but books don't have to be difficult to be considered good. The concept is intriguing and the adventurous mystery completely sucks you in. The pages fly as you unravel clues and learn a little history along the way.
Obviously everything presented in The Da Vinci Code isn't entirely accurate. Historical or not, the book is still fiction. Not every portion of the mystery is going to be completely true, but there are some interesting educational facts to be found for those not well versed in secret societies or anything biblical.
The bottom line is that The Da Vinci Code isn't perfect, but it is a fast-paced, engrossing historical mystery that can completely wow you if read with an open mind.
Rating
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Ever since the movie I've wanted to read the book, I think I may be able to read it this fall.
ReplyDeleteLoved the review.
See ya!
Readaholics Anonymous
I can't take Dan Brown seriously anymore, especially not after reading The Last Symbol. His writing is just SO bad. I found so many errors reading all of his books that is disgusts me. That said, I did like Angels and Demons more than this one. My main problem with his books though is that once you have read one, you have read them all.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading Angels and demons right now, I can't wait to read this one thanks for the honest review.
ReplyDeleteI pretty much agree with you! I really don't enjoy Brown's writing at all, but his stories are so addictive and exciting that you hardly notice it.
ReplyDeleteI liked this book when I read it, but it was when I started reading Dan Brown's other stuff and saw how the "formula" carried over from one to another that I got disgusted. I will always love Da Vinci Code, but I loathed Angels and Demons for being too similar in basic plot, and I'm leery of reading any of his other stuff now.
ReplyDeleteConfession time: I haven't read The Da Vinci Code yet.
ReplyDeleteConfirmation time: It's been gathering dust on my TBR pile for many, many moons.
Constructive time: I plan to read The Da Vince Code next!
Thanks for the motivational force of your review!
Hmm ... I belong to the few who dislike the book. I read Angels and Demons first and enjoyed it. Then, I read The Da Vinci Code and found it to be boring.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed The DaVinci Code, but found Angels and Demons to be over the top. It seems that readers generally prefer one over the other. :P
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the book, but couldn't stomach the movie. Tom Hanks just wasn't who I pictured as the lead character.....
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time since I've read this, but I remember being surprised at how much I liked it. I never did get around to reading Angels and Demons and have no desire to after seeing the movie :/
ReplyDelete@Dana Alma - I wanted to read the book before I saw the movie, but never got the chance. My husband was way too excited to see the movie to wait.
ReplyDelete@caitieflum - I've read all Brown's books except The Last Symbol. I've heard a lot of people say that his books all seem the same, but I never noticed it personally. Maybe because there were many book read between each?
@Jessilyn - You're welcome!
@Emidy - Exactly. I never thought - wow, what great writing, but rather - wow, what an exciting adventure.
@Andi - I didn't get annoyed that Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code were a little similar. I read a lot of mystery series, and many of the books in those are a lot more alike than Brown's books.
@Howard Sherman - You're welcome! My copy sat on the shelf for a very long time before I finally got motivated to read it.
@Kah Woei - Hmmm, I found Angels & Demons to be a little more predictable. Not in what was going to happen, but as to who was behind it all.
@Lily Child - I can see that. Angels & Demons was definitely on a grander scale.
@Julie P - Oh, jeez. I don't like Tom Hanks. I mean, I used to like him back when he was funny (Joe versus the Volcano, The 'burbs, Big, even Bosom Buddies), but now I find myself liking movies despite his being in them rather than because of him.
@Tara SG - I read Angels & Demons before I saw the movie. Had I seen the movie first, yeah, I don't think I would have read it either.
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