The Da Vinci Code

Rating:
Summary: If You Only Read One Mystery Novel This Year...
Review: The Da Vinci Code is valuable more for its ability to interest people in art history and medieval politics than for the story itself. The story is unique and well planned, but the writing itself is not spectacular. Author Dan Brown employs the tried-and-true method of cliffhanger endings for every chapter, misleading characterization that draws suspicion to almost every major character, and a series of fascinating clues that simply yield more twists and turns. This is not necessarily a bad thing--although Brown employs rather routine mystery novel ploys, he does it very well. His mastery of the basic elements of mystery writing makes what would otherwise be a mediocre novel a very intriguing page-turner.

I have to admit that I was drawn to this book because of the tempest of controversy surrounding it. Personally, I didn't find the controversy to be warranted. Many of the "scandalous" premises of the novel should already be familiar to anyone who has studied art history, medieval history, or simply the doctrines of the various Christian faiths. The book is recommended by everyone from singer Tori Amos to Laura and George W. Bush. Regardless of one's personal beliefs, this should be interesting book for any reader.

Rating:
Summary: Review for the Da vinchi code
Review: The da Vinci code is without a doubt one of the best books I have ever read in my life. The book surpasses all off Dan Browns to date. I would recommend this book to any and all readers of fiction. If you don't read this book you are missing a real treat
Overview:
Da Vinci: Painter or Secret keeper. That is the plot behind behind The da Vinci code. Was da Vinci merely a painter or did he have a secret.
The book starts out with the murder of the curator of the Louve, Jacques Sauniere. When the police finally locate the body, they discover a baffling set of symbols around the body. The police then call in Robert Langdon, one of the world's top symbolists to offer some explanation. The police also contact Sophie Nevu, a well known cryptographer. After learning he is the top suspect in the murder, Robert and Sophie flee.
Now on the run from the police and a mysterious man who seems to be able to predict there every move, Sophie and Robert learn that Saunier was a member of the Priory of Sion-a secret brotherhood famous for being the keepers of an ancient secret so powerful it would destabilize Christianity as we know it... Now, I can't be giving too much away! If this has interested you read the book!

I would give this book five stars because it combines a bit of everything. It has action, mystery, adventure and logic puzzles. It makes you think ahead and one you start it, you can't put it down! During the climax, you are trying to guess who is the antagonist is. This is difficult because all the characters give you reasons to suspect them.

Here is a list of the main characters in the story, their personal traits and if I like them:
Robert Langdon Robert is one of my favorite characters of any book I have ever read. He is everything that I want to be and have. He is very smart, he has a great job, big house, a girlfriend, and he goes on lots of adventures.
Sophie Nevu I have some admiration for Sophie. She could be better in my opinion, but she does have some good characterticts. She has a well paying job and a big brain, but she does get oblivious questions wrong.
Silas I do not like Silas very much. He is a creepy, god obsessed albino monk. He does what ever he is told without question even if it means risking his life.
Leigh Teabing I admire Leigh for several reasons. He has been knighted by the queen, he is the world's top historian on the Holy Grail and he lives in a castle in France.
Jacques Sauniere I do not know much about him, but I do admire his job: curator of the Louvre.

One again I state that this is one of the best works of fiction ever written. If after reading it you find compelled to read other books by Dan Brown, here is a listing.

• Digital Fortress
• Deception Point
• Angels and Demons (Also starring Robert Langdon)

Rating:
Summary: An Accomplished Thriller with Intelligence
Review: The Da Vinci Code offers murder, intrigue, ancient conspiracies, and enough historical name-dropping to include most of the prominent figures of the past two millennia.

Harvard-trained symbologist Robert Langdon returns in Dan Brown's latest book, partnered with the beautiful French police cryptologist Sophie Neveu to solve an unlikely murder in the halls of the Louvre. The clues surrounding the crime lead to the secret of the Holy Grail, but this only touches the surface of a much deeper conspiracy involving the mysterious and ancient organizations Priory of Sion and Opus Dei, whose members read like a roll call of the most important figures of the Christian era. Both clandestine societies, as powerful as they are old, will go to any lengths to keep the secrets of the Holy Grail hidden, including the murder of Sophie's father, whose involvement with the mysteries of the Grail cost him his life.

Brown weaves religious mysticism, art criticism, and historical esoterica into a modern, fast-paced thriller with ease, sending the two sleuths not only geographically across France and England, but also across the centuries, from the Middle Ages to modern times. The clues point not only forward, but backward as well, illuminating the path toward the truth in such a way that the shadows of history become highlighted. While some may nit-pick over historical accuracy, Dan Brown presents enough true historical facts and figures to engage the casual reader in a realistic world with a history that could very well be our own.

This book has been richly praised for its intelligence, suspense, detail, and accomplishment. Such is the skill with which Dan Brown tells his tale that the many plot twists seem not the least bit contrived, but rather pre-ordained and natural, as if the events were unfolding as you read them. The book satisfies on many levels, but the cumulative effect of the many hints and clues with the momentum of the ever-deepening plot and the menace of dark, ancient secrets lead to a breathless and stunning conclusion.

Rating:
Summary: Blek
Review: The Da Vinci Code proves a very good point: What's popular is not necessarily what is great, good, or even average.

You can temper your expectations about this book by telling yourself, "This is a page-turner I can read in one sitting, with about the same level of enjoyment you get out of a twenty-five cent gumball". Its chief strength is that it has flow, and that the author has done a modicum of historical research, and made a semi-decent stab at weaving together artistic and religious history, spicing it here and there with a few real-life organizations to make it interesting.

Beyond that, however, the book has little to offer anything but the most casual reader. The characters are all drawn with the depth of a sidewalk puddle, and the plot is as implausible as it is predictable. If you know anything at all about "conspiracy theory history", the book will seem trite, and if you don't, you should read a book with more bite, like Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum.

Sadly, even the riddles, anagrams, and puzzles in the book are uninteresting, unchallenging, or unoriginal. I suppose if you've never done any sort of puzzle, they might be refreshing and shockingly new. If you haven't, well, maybe you're in for a treat.

So, in summary, I wouldn't buy this book if you were an intellectual unless you were trapped in some airport lobby somewhere. I wouldn't buy this book if you were a very dull person until you had run out of Tom Clancy. If someone describes the book as "shocking", "insightful", or "provocative", they're probably related to the publisher.

Rating:
Summary: Gripping and intriguing...
Review: The Da Vinci code ranks at the time of this review among the bestsellers of the world

As I began to read it, I found that the author strength lies more in his skills to develop a tight suspense fiction thriller than creative non fiction work, however, with the Da Vinci Code he had accomplished a work with a one of a kind subject immersed in a fast paced thriller full of interesting insights about the unofficial story of Jesus Christ Mary Magdalene and the Church involvement to cover it up.

The work is based on symbolic nature symbols, religion dogma and many riddles which the author obtained with external support and serious research.

The product resulted in an interesting and amusing novel, suitable for somebody who wishes to reflect and at the same time get full entertainment in exchange of its time spent reading

The contents of this book can also be employed to debate in any History of Civilization academic class

Rating:
Summary: Mind Candy!
Review: The Da Vinci Code really made me think. I couldn't put the book down. I'm an art teacher and I found myself looking up historical concepts on the computer as well as pulling out my art history books. This book was really exciting because it had a great secret that had to be solved. I was compelled to try and figure out the code. I kept thinking about what was going to happen next. There were many twists and turns and I can't wait to read another book by Dan Brown. He is clever, entertaining and thought provoking with a dash of mischievousness. This was a great way to start my summer vacation. I'm telling all my friends about it because I want to talk with them after they read it! If you like mystery, history, conspiracy and puzzles you will love this book and appreciate the author's unique style of writing.

Rating:
Summary: Too Much Waste
Review: THE DA VINCI CODE starts out as a murder mystery and then slowly evolves into a search for the Holy Grail. It reminds me in some ways of Hammett's MALTESE FALCON. The big difference is that THE DA VINCI CODE contains too much waste and is sadly lacking in stimulating characters and memorable dialogue.

Rating:
Summary: makes the reader think alongside the characters
Review: The Da Vinci Code starts with a murder in the famed Louvre in Paris. Curator Jacques Sauniere has a mere 15 minutes to leave when he leaves a coded message for whomever finds him. It unfortunately looks like he is accusing Robert Langdon, a famed American symbologist he has never met but with whom he was to have a meeting that evening.

His estranged granddaughter Sophie is a cryptologist and can crack the meaning of her grandfather's cryptic message. But it is far from over --- like a scavenger hunt, each cracked code leads to another coded message, for Sophie and Langdon are now the guardians of the most prized secrets of an ancient secret society.

This is a rare book that challenges the reader as they try to crack the codes alongside the characters, as in the end, they are so simple that nobody sees them!!! I found myself thinking back on what I learned about European history, art and literature, particularly where Da Vinci was concerned, as did Sophie and Langdon as they pursued their mission barely one step ahead of the French police.

This is an amazing book and it twists and turns as who, precisely, the villainous party and the actual murderer is until almost the very end. Truly amazing.

Rating:
Summary: Anti-religious Mystery
Review: The Da Vinci Code was a fine mystery, except for the anti-religious elements that were a huge part of the book.

Since, I believe that the bible is 100% true and accurate, I was very disappointed with the logic in this book that indicate that the New Testament is false.

I, therefore, can not recommend this book to any Christians - because it will be very offensive to you.

Rating:
Summary: Unfortunate
Review: The Da Vinci Code was an absolute disappointment. The characters are undeveloped. The plot is predictable. The writing is uneven. The best part is the historical detail. But even that is many times inaccurate and twisted to fit the plot.

Save your money and buy "The # 1 Ladies Detective Agency" instead.