Rating: 
Summary: A riveting, intelligent thriller
Review: Written with both intelligence and breathless pacing, THE DA VINCI CODE is the perfect thriller. The curator of the Louvre, Jacques Saunière, is attacked late at night in the deserted museum. Left to die with a wound he knows will be fatal, he fears his ancient secret will perish with him and so desperately struggles in his last minutes to construct a series of cryptic messages, all designed to reveal the location of the truth. The bizarre murder scene orchestrated by Saunière seems to implicate Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, who happens to be in Paris for a conference. When, unaware that he is a suspect, Langdon is brought to the crime scene by police captain Bezu Fache, he meets Sophie Neveu, the cryptologist on the scene. Together, Langdon and Neveu work frantically against time and personal safety to uncover Saunière's hidden life. All clues point to the existence of a clandestine and powerful group, the Priory of Sion, and as the two track down and solve the clues, both historical and present-day, the shocking truth gradually begins to emerge.THE DA VINCI CODE, with its plot revolving around a secret religious society, has echoes (pardon the pun!) of Umberto Eco's FOUCAULT'S PENDULUM, although Dan Brown's novel is less dense and more easily read. Brown's research into alternative Christian history may startle some people, perhaps even offend them, but the premise makes for an original thriller, one which isn't about terrorism or failed diplomacy or common murder. I found the author's head-on acknowledgement of current technology refreshing for the genre. For example, when characters use a cell phone or travel in a stolen vehicle or use a credit card, there are realistic implications that many thriller authors might have conveniently ignored. As odd as it sounds, these details make THE DA VINCI CODE the bestseller it is; it embraces the modern world in the race to discover a historical treasure. Almost every plot twist is both logical and surprising. Even those elements that can be easily foreseen end up with plot complications that enrich them, thus making this book a satisfying read. Though the ending is not as strong as the rest, this book will give readers much to consider after they have finished reading it. THE DA VINCI CODE delivers everything a reader would want in a thriller - and more. Perfect for vacation or weekend reading, this 454 page novel will keep readers entertained from start to finish. I highly recommend this book for a general readership, excepting those offended by an unorthodox look at Christianity. As thrillers go, THE DA VINCI CODE is one of the best.
Rating: 
Summary: AN INSULT TO INTELLIGENCE
Review: Yeah I read "The DaVinci Code" Wanted to know what all the fuss was about. No question it IS a page turner. You will finish it quickly. I also read fairy tales quickly when I was a kid. The story is a fantasy. In fact the entire "wild goose chase" in the book takes place in France and England, through the Louvre, hyper secure Swiss banks, french countrysides, English airports, the Westminster Abbey, you name it -- all -- in less than 24 hours. Go figure. Paleese! Look I'm not shocked or insulted over the religious "revelations" but give me a break...make the darn story feasible! A total waste of time. Save your money.
Rating: 
Summary: mediocre page turner
Review: Yeah, this book keeps you going, and it's probably great for a long plane ride, but my god, do a better job with the writing and the characters! These characters are supposed to be solving the 'greatest secret of all time' and yet they are completely clueless. Some of the least imaginative writing to make the best seller lists. And just for perspective, I am not Christian and have no opinion on either side of the Jesus/Mary Magdalene debate. If you like conspiracy theories and secret societies, go read Eco's Foucault's Pendulum. Now THERE is a book!
Rating: 
Summary: Let's dont get too hung up on good FICTION
Review: Yes folks, it's only FICTION. And it is good fiction, though I don't call it great fiction. Certainly, Dan Brown has an active imagination, and the first half of the book is explosive and compelling to read. But the adventure aspect of it gets a little old in the second half of the story, and I thought it ended in a wimper. When it comes to the theology aspects of the story, I prefer to side with the Apostle Paul's version of Christ, over Leonardo DaVinci (assuming Dan Brown is accurately characterizing DaVinci and others).
Rating:
Summary: misleading info...good fiction
Review: Yes there are some facts in this book. But also lots of misleading misinformation too. At some points it was really hard to tell the difference Mary Magdalene is in fact a saint in the Catholic Church and he fails to even mention that. In fact he goes to length to say the Church degraded her. And the Catholic church does honor Mary the Virgin Mother. He gets some things half correct and other things are correct.Still other things way off base. What I find disturbing is that unless you know history, theology and other subjects well you could start believing the stuff that is not true. I think his preface or "FACT", as he put it ,set the most misleading tone.Yes he did have a very subtle yet NOT perfectly clear disclaimer. You have to read between the lines and do research to figure out what he made up and what was based on fact. If you want to read a really good thriller of this type of genre read Paul L. Maier Skeleton in God's Closet or More then a Skeleton it was one man against the World....Now Paul Maier really knows his subject he is a historian and theologian. Maier is one of the top 25 educators in the country.I believe that Dan Brown's wife is a historian and Mr. Brown is an english teacher or professor.
Dan Brown's book is very good but too misleading to give him more stars. I think that if he wrote a clearer disclaimer and clearly seperated the fact from the fiction I would give him at least 4 stars...He lost the two stars because I think he did not separate facts from fiction enough and that is the danger of writing this type of fiction that has some facts in it. As a thriller this is really interesting really good but do not believe everything you read.
It is an interesting story. And I did have a hard time putting it down. As a piece of fiction I do like this story. But only as a piece of fiction. When you read this please take it with a grain of salt.
I don't have the abridged version I have the origional. Maybe the abridged version takes care of the above problems I have with this story.
Rating:
Summary: Disgrace as a novel
Review: Yes this book is a good read. In fact it is a page turner. However, the character development in this book isn't very good. Also,Mr.Dan Crown seems to be a little too preoccupied with "Divine Feminine" when writing this novel. The firstt half of the book was good, but then later it seems like If the author just wanted to prove his point, going to desperate measures. Even though this is a work of fiction, I believe that authors shouldn't abuse facts in their books. Many of my favorite authors, Clive Cussler, Ken Follett, don't use truthful facts in their books and they are still exciting. Even though I am not a Christian, I believe that slandering anothers religion in a novel is not a nice thing to do. Even, though there may be some truth in this book, read it for the suspense, but don't believe anything in the book.
Rating: 
Summary: What Is the Big Deal?
Review: Yes, "The Code" is inventive. Yes, it is fast-paced. Yes, it goes on & on, twisting & turning with a new old twist around every corner. This is a summer read, not a read that breaks new ground.
Rating:
Summary: Wow...I Have A New Book For My Top Five List
Review: Yes, "wow" is the word. I was literally hooked by the 7th page. Having never read a word of Mr. Brown's previous work, I was turned on to this marvelous piece from listening to WFAN's Chris Russo, accomplished writer of the "Mad Dog 100," and his reviews of recent books he'd read. I liked his review, I liked the title, I liked his book. Took a chance and, though I despise hardcovers, I wouldn't trade the experience of this read for anything. Many Catholic and Christian loyalists will be shocked, others will be amazed. I was changed forever. Brown manages to mix intrigue and fiction with religion and fact. A murder takes place in a famous Paris museum and reknowned historian Robert Langdon is implicated. With the help of a female code-breaker, he spends the night running from the law, desperately trying to clear his name with innovative puzzle-solving and a last ditch escape to London. There, his search for justice starts holding hands with a search for knowledge as his travels open unexpected leads toward the truth and location of the Holy Grail itself. All the while, Brown accomplishes wonderous character development with the code-breaker Sophie and fanatical killer Silas, almost shoving their individual plights ahead of lead character Langdon. Lots of eyebrows will be arched as many accusations of mortification and illegal activity from the Catholic Church and Opus Dei are spread with every turned page. Still and all, this is one novel that will make you rethink history. Open your minds to it and take it for what it's worth: a book of fiction. Personally, I am presently taking the time to confirm many of Brown's allegations via his personal sources and even a few of my own. "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" is particularly interesting.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't stop reading it...!
Review: Yes, I really enjoyed this book. I read the Spanish version because it came easily into my hands (perhaps I'll read the original Language), and I finished it in only 4 days, from Tuesday evening to Friday night (note: I work 9 hours a day)... just couldn't leave it. The history don't have any weak or boring part... and the theme... is great!
I give 4 stars cause in the last 2 pages the final get obvious, but anyway, this book worth my sleepless nights.
Rating:
Summary: Drivel
Review: Yes, it reads smoothly and quickly. So do the newspapers displayed and sold at supermarket checkouts.
No, it carries no original information or message. It relies on sly innuendo to mulct credulous readers.
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