The Da Vinci Code
by Dan Brown
|
List Price: Our Price: $1.62 You Save: $25.33 (94%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Da Vinci Code
Book Review: Great thriller based on dubious historical "facts"
Summary: 5 Stars
The title that appears on the cover of the book is "The Da Vinci Code: A Novel", but many people take it to be more than that. Using a few facts concerning the history of the Catholic Church as a starting point, Brown extrapolates to create circumstances where the fundamentals of the faith are based on lies concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. In the new circumstances, Mary Magdalene was not a prostitute, but the wife of Jesus. She, like many others, wrote a gospel of the life of Jesus and he had selected her to be the leader of the church after his death. They had a child and their family tree can be traced to the present. However, the church has vigorously acted to suppress this information, even willing to commit murder to prevent the truth from being known. In response to this repression, a secret society called the Priory of Scion was formed. Their purpose is to preserve and protect the secret knowledge until the appropriate time arrives. While somewhat dampened over the years, the church is still willing to go to great lengths to suppress the truth, and that is the premise behind this thriller.
The four leaders of the Priory are all killed by a hit man sent by a powerful sect of the Catholic Church and the last one, the curator of the Louvre, manages to leave a message meant for Robert Langdon, an expert on symbology, the study of ancient symbols. Sophie Neveu, an investigative expert on code breaking, joins him as they become fugitives from the law and begin their quest to crack a code that will lead them to the Holy Grail. Most of the clues are in the works of Leonardo da Vinci, who was a leader of the Priory. Many of the "facts" of their search are based on deliberate falsifications in the historical record of the life of Jesus and the growth of the Catholic Church. After many trials that test them both, Sophie and Robert eventually triumph, learning a great deal about themselves.
This book is an excellent thriller, the action is nonstop and the plot often turns on a dime. As long as you read it as a fictional thriller, it is a great book. Being a mathematician/ computer scientist, I was amused by the simplicity of the codes that they were required to break. The information being protected by the Priory is priceless, and yet the codes used to protect it would not challenge the most amateur of cryptologists.
It is quite natural that the book would be controversial, because the "facts" disrupt the faith-based beliefs of so many. However, the original point of the book is a fact that no biblical scholar disputes, namely that the Christian bible did not arrive as a fax from God. It is a document that was written by humans and has been translated and edited for centuries. Many of those involved in the editing had a political/social agenda, so meanings have been altered. It is also impossible to perform a literal translation from one language to another, so any translation involves the personal opinions of even an "unbiased" translator. If you doubt this, go to your library and find two different translations of an epic work such as Homer's Iliad.
While Brown carries it far beyond what actually happened, the early Christian Church did adapt many pagan rituals into the Christian faith. It is generally conceded that Christ's birthday was not in the northern winter. The early church placed Christmas in late December to coincide with the pagan ritual of Saturnalia, which celebrated the return of the Sun. The Easter bunny and Easter eggs are ancient pagan symbols of fertility and have nothing to do with the death and resurrection of Jesus. Mathematicians are well aware of the death of Hypatia, one of the greatest early female mathematicians. She was scraped to death by a Christian mob sanctioned by Cyril, who was later canonized as a Saint. Therefore, like all great novels based on history, there is enough of an initial factual basis to make it seem plausible, even when there is no historical basis for the additional "facts." The problem is of course determining when a fact becomes a "fact."
Book Review: Don't be fooled by the hype!
Summary: 2 Stars
Argh.I was very intrigued by this book - at first. Da Vinci. Code. Murder. Conspiracy. Mmm, tasty. Then I read it.
Initially, I put up with some of the initial very contrived plot points (some events are just WAY to convenient). And then I tolerated the characters' overwrought inner monologues ('Wait! How could he possibly know that? Yes, that happened to be my grandfather's secret little favorite thing to do that no one ever knew about and now convienently allows me to tell you something I could not possibly have known otherwise that enables this ridiculous plot point to actually work out!'). But I just can't keep going on. This book reads like a bad TV movie, or worse, like a bad soap opera epsiode where *every* inner thought of each character is revealed as though we were idiots. Revealing subtle plot points is one thing; beating the reader over the head with a club of patronizingly innane dialog is entirely another. Not to mention the contrived 'cliffhangers' at the end of each chapter, conveniently developed because a character insists on concealing information for no other reason than to conceal information to develop a cliffhanger for the chapter.
The whole thing reads like a really cool idea for a rough draft as told throught the eyes of a high school student. The book reads as though the author stumbled across some wild research by someone else and decided to make a book that used that research without really knowing what it was all about. The plot is so stinkin' contrived that I found myself on *numerous* occasions rolling my eyes and shaking my head in disbelief that the author actually expected me to buy what I just read. It seemed as though the author realized he had boxed himself into a corner after creating a weird twist that he just thought was cool, so instead of reworking the twist into something more plausible, he just manipulated things into a convenient resolution that suddenly made everything 'okay' (like a convenient backstory about a certain logo on a certain key plot piece that justified a certain childhood nickname ). Please. Some of the stuff might 'make sense' for the moment and serve to keep things afloat (though gasping for breath) and temporarily block a gaping plot hole with duct tape and a wad of Bubble Yum so the reader doesn't completely lose it and run sreaming for a refund, but they ultimately only serve to pacify the need for something deeper and more substantial, much like drinking sugar water. Sorry, I'm just not into this kind of thing. Fun reading is one thing, but I can't do this. I just can't do it.
It's mindless summer reading that requires no thought by the reader to engage it. The reader is told what to think and where to think it. In fact, someone could zone out for several chapters and not really miss anything, much like skipping a few weeks of your favorite soap opera. Even with all the mysterious conspiracy theories that the author attempts to weave into the book, it still reads (literally) like a rough concept draft that would need serious revision before ever going to press. Sure, as a novel it has all the classic elements (no blaring plot contradictions (they're all conveniently resolved, remember?), multiple parallel story lines, hero vs. villain, good vs. evil, etc., etc.) that at the very least make it competent (thus the 2 stars), but the writing is choppy and juvenile with participial phrases out the wazoo. You're time could be just as well spent reading the latest issue of Cosmo. And at least then you'd walk away with potentially applicable information...
I must admit I am surprised this book sits atop the bestseller list. (But then again 'Kangaroo Jack' was the number one movie the first week it was out.) If you are considering this book, please, please, please be aware of what you are getting yourself into. It's not a fantastic work of literary insight. But if you enjoy literature that patronizes you into a corner of disbelief, then by all means, pick up your plastic page marker and dig in!
Book Review: Good writing versus bad history and controversial thesis.
Summary: 3 Stars
THE DA VINCI CODE is the 2nd book in a series of books surrounding the character of Robert Langdon. Langdon made his first appearance in ANGELS AND DEMONS and not only single-handedly saved the world, but helped "reform" the Catholic church as well. Superman might be able to fly and see through walls, the X-Men can do all sorts of superhuman feats because of their mutant genes, and Batman protects Gotham City because of the very technological (and expensive) gadgets at his disposal, but all these superheroes would be hard pressed to match the mastermind and wit of Harvard symbologist, Robert Langdon. In ANGELS AND DEMONS he saved the world in less than 24 hours. In THE DA VINCI CODE Langdon's on a quest even more important than saving the world.
THE DA VINCI CODE begins about a year after the events of ANGELS AND DEMONS have taken place (don't be alarmed if you haven't read ANGELS AND DEMONS, references to the events of that book are few and far between). Robert Langdon is in his hotel room in Paris when he is disturbed by the arrival of Captain Bezu Fache. Langdon is informed that there has been a murder at the Louvre and that his expertise is needed in helping solve the crime. As it turns out, Fache strongly suspects Langdon of the crime and is hoping that Langdon's assistance will be his own undoing--ala the Columbo technique. Unfortunately for Fache, the murdered museum's curator has left a message behind for his granddaughter, Sophie Neveu, a code breaker on the Paris police force. The message leads Sophie to assist Langdon in his escape and thus begins another 24-hour adventure that takes Langdon across France and to England in search of one of the greatest historical and archeological discoveries of all time: the "Holy Grail."
Despite a series of murders and a mysterious albino priest, THE DA VINCI CODE actually moves fairly slowly in the beginning. The first half of the book tends to jump around a lot and includes a lot of exposition. It isn't until Langdon and Sophie leave the Lourve and head towards the Swiss bank that things begin to pick up. The book then moves at a modest pace until the duo meet up with Sir Leigh Teabing. Once he reveals the "big secret" the book becomes a page turner until the end.
As far as writing styles go, THE DA VINCI CODE isn't all that great. It's a decent mystery/suspense novel and some of the imagery in the book is fairly descriptive, especially the more "action" oriented passages. However, THE DA VINCI CODE isn't written as well as ANGELS AND DEMONS. That book, though a piece of pop literia as well, was fairly tight with enough diversions to forgive the plot holes and discrepancies. THE DA VINCI CODE isn't like that. It's patterned after ANGELS AND DEMONS and like most sequels, it's just not as good.
Now, as for the theme of the novel, I'm not sure why this book has taken off the way it has because overall it's just an average mystery/suspense novel. The book does present a very controversial idea-that Jesus wasn't the Son of God, that he married Mary Magdalene, they had children, and their descendants are still alive today. Combined with ideas presented in ANGELS AND DEMONS, it does seem that Brown as an agenda to debunk the Christin faith. He does an interesting job of mixing a tad historical facts; lots of fiction, conspiracy theories, and suppositions; and a whole lot of cultural references to make the idea seem not only plausible, but also believable. To make the theme seem even more believable he takes an idea from satiric and comic writers and introduces a statement at the beginning of the book that says something to the effect that "all the organizations, histories, descriptions, etc. within this book are true and based on fact". The majority of the book has about as much fact in it as William Golding put in THE PRINCESS BRIDE.
Overall, an average mystery/action/suspense novel with a very controversial proposal that makes for interesting fiction, but has no basis in fact.
Book Review: Pure and Absolute Genius!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
While Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist about to publish a novel, is in Paris on business, one of the greatest enigmas in history is dangling on a piece of string right in front of his face but is just out of reach. When the renowned curator of the Louvre, Jacques Sauniere, is murdered, he leaves a special note for Langdon on the floor next to his strangely positioned body that leads Langdon and his new friend Sophie Neveu, a gifted French cryptologist who happens to be Sauniere's granddaughter, on the quest to uncover a secret that has the power to completely change the world. Langdon and Neveu are led on a wild search through Paris and beyond that is made up of riddles and puzzles that only the smartest of men can figure out. But between Langdon and Neveu, the clues are deciphered and they quickly begin to uncover the greatest secret of all time. The problem? Langdon is the prime suspect in Sauniere's murder. And when Langdon discovers that Sauniere was involved in an ancient secret society that is guarding the greatest secret of all time, a whole new twist is put on everything. Unless Langdon and Neveu decode the clues that Sauniere has left around Paris for them to find, this great ancient truth will be lost forever. I had a strong penchant for nearly every single part of this spectacular story. What enthralled me a great deal was the fascinating codes and clues that were scattered throughout each chapter of the novel. Although I could not decipher any of these extremely difficult codes, they were so interesting that they, among other things, made it so that I could not put down the book and kept me on my toes looking for hints; when Langdon and Neveu figured out some of these codes, I learmed many extremely interesting facts about how the codes were broken. I also thoroughly enjoyed the historical secrets that were planted in the pages. Each provocative secret made me question everything that I had ever learned about religion and kept me so intrigued that I, again, could not put down the book. The way that these secrets were connected to history absorbed me and made me question the truthfulness of the Christian religion. These secrets, however provoking they were, made this book one of the most interesting that I have ever read. Another thing that really made it so that I could not put down the book was the enigma involved; each page left me yearning to discover more. Dan Brown's novel made me so curious that I could not stand it. Between the secret of the Holy Grail, the many mysteries of Jacques Sauniere, and the other enigmas, I was completely enthralled. There were very few things that I did not enjoy immensely about this novel. One was that at certain points, Brown tried to make the book so unpredictable that it became predictable. Another thing was that sometimes Brown bombards the reader with so much esoteric, heavy information that it becomes abstruse. However, by the end of the book everything gets cleared up and leaves the reader feeling educated and incredibly intrigued and fascinated. The final thing that I did not enjoy was that I was so interested in the book that I literally could not put it down and spent hours every day reading the novel to the point where reading took over my life but I had a great time reading it, none the less. Other than these few complaints, which are extremely minor, I enjoyed "The Da Vinci Code" remarkably and thought that it was a perfect, must-read. This novel was pure and absolute genius.
I highly recommend "The Da Vinci Code" to anybody who enjoys history, mystery, thrills, puzzles, riddles, conspiracies, or just enjoys an amazing, extremely interesting story. Just as a precaution, I advise that you read this novel when you have time to be completely absorbed in a book that, quite literally, does not allow you to put it down. But, no matter where or when you read it, no matter what speed you read it at, you will absolutely, positively love Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code".
Book Review: Highly recommended, even with flaws
Summary: 4 Stars
If you are one of the few people who have not read the book yet - do not hesitate and do it now. Odds are very favorable that you will like it, even be thrilled by it. It is highly entertaining, fast-paced, exiting and informative. The author has the endearing habit of sharing with the readers tidbits of extraneous information - not trivia - he has found in the course of his research.However, do not expect perfection or a future classic work of literature. There are shortcomings. But before I list them, let's deal with some issues which should not worry you:
1. The book is "an attack on Catholic Church and Christianity." The book is no such thing, unless you believe that the Church can never do anything wrong (remember Inquisition?), can never be criticized, and that we already know everything that can be known.
2. The book is based on "completely unfound legend," "crackpot theory." "Anyone who knows art history and Christian history will see this book for what it is - pure garbage." Again, it is neither of those things. While the protagonists, understandably, present an alternative history in more assured terms than someone "objective" might do, there is more than enough evidence suggesting the possibility of their main contention being true, and there are serious scholars who accept the described interpretation of evidence.
3. Minor errors or dubious details that some flaunt as earth shattering evidence of wrongness of the whole book. Examples: Monks and habits not existing in Opus Dei. BIG DEAL! Anyway, even if just about nobody there was a monk and wear a habit, could there not be one exception? "Cargo truck hummed, then the truck roared, then there was hum again." BIG DEAL! Moreover, humming refers to tire noise, while roaring to the engine noise, which can change with time. "Da Vinci is not Leonardo's name." BIG DEAL! Thousands know and call Leonardo "Da Vinci," and even though it is imprecise, using just Leonardo would be equally ambiguous (how many Leonardos have there been in the world), and using always the full name would be cumbersome.
4. Perhaps the most silly objection is that "though some may find the religious topic thought provoking, this book doesn't require deep thinking". How many mystery novels are thought provoking, not to mention requiring deep thinking? The fact that so many people, as shown by the positive reviews, have found the book thought provoking, is an unquestionable testimony and tribute.
Disregarding the above, what are the real shortcomings of Da Vinci Code? Here is my list:
A. As mentioned by many reviewers, the characters are poorly developed. Not unusual for a mystery/action story, but regretful anyway.
B. The ending is, in my view, a mistake. The author should have left an open ending, rather than provide a specific, highly unlikely explicit solution to a fictional story.
C. Perhaps most importantly, it might dawn on you in about the middle of the book, if not sooner, that the plot is a logical absurdity. Here we have a dying man, frantic to save an enormously important secret, of which he is the only keeper, from being lost forever, and to transfer it to one specific person. Does he do it using one encrypted, safe message? No, he sends the person(s) on a chase, at each stage of which the secret could be eternally lost! And he has prepared this process in advance, while presumably sane! Essential for the story, but logically unacceptable.
D. The essential premise of the story is that the "secret," which is the main topic, is so earth shattering, that revealing it would imperil the Catholic Church. In reality, as shown most clearly in the ABC Special, very respectable Church notables look at the suggestion regarding Mary Magdalene with complete benevolence. The author has interestingly, and perhaps wisely, steered away from the more radical version of the legend, but doing so he again created a logical void.