Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant Story!!!
Review: The book has so many twists and turns, I just couldn't put it down once I began reading it. Dan Brown gets you involved in the story right from the beginning. Admittedly, the author draws on theories and concepts that have been written about previously by other people, but purely as a thriller, this book is very good. It is also evident that a fair amount of research went into this book. If you remember that this is after all, a work of fiction, you can really enjoy it.
Rating: 
Summary: Reader Beware _ There are no FACTS in the book
Review: The book is a fast paced thriller that would probably make a great movie. The core problem is that is presents "facts" throughout the book regarding the origins of Christianity. If you review any published commentary on the book, you will find that it is poorly researched and most "facts" in the books are just warmed over theories, most of which are not based on any historical facts. Reader beware - DO NOT READ anything in the book as a true fact! With that in mind, where is the outrage regarding The Da Vinci Code? Where are the pundits on Fox, CNN and MSNBC decrying the No.1 bestseller that mixes "fact" and fiction in such irresponsible manner, leaving the reader with the impression that Christianity is just hoax? Where are those people who vehemently objected to Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion" but who apparently have no problem with a book (and a movie) that questions whether there is any legitimate basis to Christian beliefs? This is not just an attack on the Christian religion, it is attack on all organized religions including Judaism and Islam. The book is both anti-Catholic and anti-religion, and in wierd way - pro-pagan. The mainstream media has used the book as opportunity to explore the role of woman in early Christianity. That is just a sideshow, the book is a frontal assault on most Americans' core beliefs. The misinformation contained in the book will only spread further once the movie is released which is sure to be a blockbuster.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Reading, But Not An Accurate Portrayal Of Jesus
Review: The book is a good conspiracy type story that did keep me interested. Although, at times I felt that Dan Brown was trying to hard to get his point across, and the characters almost seemed to be preaching at times. The factual information regarding the life of Jesus that Dan Brown writes about in his book is very controversial to say the least. For a more accurate portrayal of Christ I would recommend The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel. There are other controversial subjects Dan Brown touches on such as the interpretation of art and history pertaining to the Holy Grail. The one thing that I really did enjoy about the book is that much of the action took place in well know places of interest... places that I have not visited, and by reading this book I learned a lot about these places. I liked it enough that I plan to read some more of his books.
Rating:
Summary: Waste of Time
Review: The book is a waste of time for any serious reader. If you want to learn about the many interesting historical, symbological, and religious factoids that are sprinkled throughout the text, read a synopsis. But you will not be entertained by this novel. The author can undoubtedly turn out a respectable academic paper, but he should have had collaboration in writing a work of fiction. Quite simply, he cannot construct a plot that builds tension and drives the story. His characters are shallow and give the reader little reason to care about them. The heroes aren't heroic and the villains are bland. The worst part is the dialogue, which is unrealistic, stilted, often inappropriate, and rather juvenile. The author also shares a flaw with Robert Ludlum... whenever a seemingly insurmountable problem arises, he pops up a new character who has the solution. After a while, we anticipate this and lose any feeling of tension, fear, dread, excitement, etc. that would normally keep us turning the pages. As for the main theses of the book... the "truth" regarding the life and death of Jesus, the meaning of the Holy Grail, the suppression of the feminine roots of Christianity, and the roles of various secret societies... again all of this can be learned about in a few minutes' works on the Internet. I regret the hours I spent plodding through this clunker... I'd have done better reading Harry Potter!
Rating:
Summary: A bad book and a bad narration
Review: The book is an overwrought thriller, long on unimaginative descriptions and short on real people. And the narration for the book on tape is dull, dull, dull.
Rating:
Summary: have an art book near by
Review: The book is definitely fast paced, and I had a difficult time putting it down. I enjoyed it, but was occasionally distracted by the fact that he'd refer to some tantalizing piece of information that won't be fully explained till chapters later. In the mean time, he keeps telling you that's important. I'm thinking specifically of what Sophie witnessed when she went to visit her grandfather. Considering how much this book refers to certain pieces of art, I wish they'd been included in the book. I mean, so many books have pictures/photos these days, why not this one, which just begs for it? I found out this morning, however, that his website has them on there. I suppose that's better than nothing, but what about the people who don't have computers at home? I was motivated enough, however, to go to the library to hunt down some of the pictures after I finished the book. I think if I'd had the pictures to refer to while I was reading it would have been even better. But it's a good read regardless. I think this book would be a good one to make into a movie. The visual possibilities have me drooling.... Hey, Spielberg, you listening? :-)
Rating:
Summary: A little overhyped, but not bad
Review: The book is fairly good provided that you remember it is fiction and nothing more. Brown's claim of "FACT" printed on the introduction page appears to be a marketing ploy, and a highly successful one at that. Without that one statement none of the theological discussions or controversy surrounding the book would be taking place. Countless others, much more qualified than I, have already pointed out the numerous historical errors in the book so there isn't really any need to rehash what has already been written, except to say if all the errors were removed what you would have remaining would resemble a pamphlet instead of a book. The book is a fairly quick read that moves along at a nice pace, although the ending is somewhat of a letdown. Dialogue can be rather juvenile at times, but not to the point of making you want to throw the book down. Brown has included all the elements of a good conspiracy, the Knights Templar, the Catholic Church, a few murders to quiet people, etc., so it's easy to see why the book has done so well. While I disagree wholeheartedly with Brown's version of history, in no way did I let that interfere with reading the book. I'm in no hurry to rush out and buy Brown's other books, but wouldn't automatically return one if I received it as a present, either. There are far worse ways to spend your time than reading The Da Vinci Code, but there are better ways, as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Great novel
Review: The book is great, it's the most entertaining thriller I've read in a decade or more. The characters were likeable and while the action was sometimes implausible, it was nonetheless entertaining. It was like an adult Harry Potter novel in the sense of sheer fun. You do not have to agree with the conjectures the characters make about the Bible and Jesus in order to enjoy this book. The book is like a guided tour through a whole interesting area of historical and theological thought, whether you agree with the ideas or not, they are at least interesting to be exposed to. I have to disagree with those who say this book reads like a movie treatment. The novel is mostly dialogue, in fact you could say it is a 450 page conversation. That would not make for a very successful movie at all. If the author had intended to make it just to sell a movie he would have made it mostly action, that is what sells tickets. This is a "pure" novel, in the sense that it is best experienced in the novel form, as it is mostly dialogue, ideas, puzzles and historical exposition. It would be pretty bad as a movie, but it is entertaining and interesting as a book.
Rating:
Summary: completely historically inaccurate
Review: The book is mildly entertaining, but readers beware of the gross historical inaccuracies littered throughout the book. Brown's sources have no credentials for the field in which they write, and his fanciful ideas are merely for entertainment purposes. If you want to know more about the historical falsities, check out this website: http://answers.org/issues/davincicode.html
Rating:
Summary: No Thrill from this supposed Thriller. : (
Review: The book is what I would categorize as an *easy read*. I sailed thru it in no time. So many had told me the ending was a "shocker". I agree, it was a shocker, only because I was shocked that I had figured the whole thing out by the middle of the book. I felt the plot sophomoric. I found the history interesting and the interpretations fun, but in the long run I would not recommend the book to anyone who likes a good mystery that is tough to figure out, cuz this ain't it! I will agree that it is an engaging book and it is difficult to put down once you begin, but in the end it was a let down.
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