Da Vinci Code Inquiry

[HBMully]

Ok, I'm looking for a review by someone who has read The Da Vinci Code. I've been very curious about it and was going to throw it on a Chrsitmas list. My only fear is that I'll not like it . . .

I've heard it's good but . . .

Thanks

[Bman]

Originally Posted by HBMully

Ok, I'm looking for a review by someone who has read The Da Vinci Code. I've been very curious about it and was going to throw it on a Chrsitmas list. My only fear is that I'll not like it . . .

I've heard it's good but . . .

Thanks

I thought it was an excellent read...good story...well written....couldn't put it down...after I finished it I found his ( Dan Brown )other books and read them also...Books are like cigars though...something I like you might not....Bman

[Herfzilla]

I thought it was a pretty darn good "revisionist history historical murder mystery" type deal. Although I am not a fan of that whole "framed for murder you did not commit must outwit cops and badguys" scenario, Brown pulled it off pretty well.

I really liked his "Angels and Demons" a lot, too.

[SeanGAR]

Originally Posted by Herfzilla

I really liked his "Angels and Demons" a lot, too.

Agree completely. I have read a number of them, A&D is my favorite, then DaCVinci. Deception Point and Digital Fortress are a step below.

[Churchlady]

Read them all - love them as fun fiction - don't go looking for facts though. He gets some stuff really screwed up. Great fun read though!

[slowhand]

Originally Posted by Churchlady

don't go looking for facts though. He gets some stuff really screwed up.

Agree with that but would add, just skip it.

[Heartpumper]

You might want to read "Angels and Demons" first. The "Da Vinci Code" is the sequel.

Author throws just enough half truths into the book to make a reader start thinking about their religious beliefs and upbringing. Cleric and non-secular experts have pretty much torn Brown's book apart. Those refutations are almost as entertaining as the original book.

I loved both books.

Joe

[radar]

Finished it last wek. It's a good story and a quick read IMHO. As the others have said it has a lot of questionable theories on Christianity and in particular the Catholic Church. Just keep in mind that it is fiction. I got a kick out of some of the stuff about Da Vinci, I wonder how much of that was fact. I enjoyed it and give it a thumbs up.

Radar

[radar]

Originally Posted by Heartpumper

You might want to read "Angels and Demons" first. The "Da Vinci Code" is the sequel.

Joe

I went to the Literary Guild and ordered A&D a few minutes ago. I'll be reading out of sequence, but if it's as good as The Davinci Code I'll be happy with it. They're having a buy one get one deal so I also ordered Soul of a Butterfly (Ali's Bio), Sharing Good Times (Jimmy Carter Bio), and a new Grisham The Broker. Books truly are like cigars, I can't stop at one!

Radar

[coppertop]

You don't have to read them in order. One has nothing to do with the other. Same main character, but thats about it.

As for The Da Vinci Code I thought it was extremely enjoyable. I'm not one who gives a damn about religious facts vs fiction. I think it brings up some good points about the bible. A book that I have always questioned. But I won't go into all that here. I don't want to start a huge arguement about the bible. I know a lot of what was in the book is bs.....but I think he has some good points about some stuff. Anyway, it is up to the reader to decide whether he believes what he/she is reading or not.

[smokemifyagotem]

I thought it was VERY VERY good. Do yourself a favor and when the author writes about a particular work of art, architecture, etc.. do a Google picture search on it. When you can actually see what he's talking about it makes it all the more real...

[AAlmeter]

history channel has a special on it. Ive seen the ads but couldnt find anything on the website

[RcktS4]

I should start by saying that I am something of a book snob (too much literary criticism in college), but I also anjoy a good quick read for airplanes and lazy sundays.

Having said that, I picked DaVinci Code up in an airport coming back from Vegas last year, and I think the best overall assessment I can give is: very good as "television for the literate". As others have said, it is both historically, and sometimes factually, full of gaping holes and, shall we say, Strrreeetches. But then, I hope there aren't many people reading it for its accuracy. At least not anymore.

But if you are just looking for an entertaining story, and a bit of thought-provoking fun, I would say it's damn fine.

If you are interested in something a little more 'high-brow' in a similar vein, I reccommend Foucault's Pendulum. Really weighty, but as a historical conspiracy-thriller, it is ASTOUNDINGLY good. Great example of what a 'story' can become with a true master doing the telling.

R