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James's Reviews > The da Vinci Code
The da Vinci Code (Robert Langdon, #2)
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5 stars to Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code. Most folks have seen the movie and probably not read the book. What a loss for them!
That said, I know a lot of people don't enjoy Brown's books, believing he is too commercialized and over-exaggerated in his style. While I can understand why someone may think that, I don't agree. I love the complexity of the story, the reality and the fiction, the test of character strength, the puzzles, the different view points. It completely absorbs me... so I fall into the category of those who love him and this style of writing, even if others think his writing isn't fantastic. Doesn't mean I don't love the more classic and richly written novels where it's the imagery and the words that win out, too.
I had never heard of Dan Brown in his early years. I heard about the movie being made of the book and how it was coming out relatively soon. I looked it up and saw it had the "treasure-hunter" thrill appeal and decided to read the book before the movie could come out and warp my interpretation. So glad I did!
It's addicting. Growing up Catholic, I knew most of the religious detail, but once it weaved it art, literature, history and philosophy, I was just enamored with the story. Could it really be true? Maybe I'm related to Adam and Eve too! Ok, let's not get too crazy...
Magnificent story-telling. Quick adventure. Beautiful scenes and images. Brown exhibit's intensely good control weaving back and forth between each of the plots, sub-plots and mini-plots. It's as realistic of a treasure hunt as one can get if you are not an adventurer, archaeologist or exhibition-junkie.
But what took it to the next level for me was the amount of detail included for every component. It's the intricate of the intricate, relying on pure puzzles to move the story forward. Each new puzzle creates its own spark of drama directing readers to challenge what they do and do not know about Jesus, Mary Magdalene, languages, culture, locations, etc.
It hits so many different waves of appeal that I felt it was at the top of its game. And it probably only edged out Angels & Demons because of how tight this story was. Definitely a must-read for the genre, for Brown and before watching the movie adaption.
That said, I know a lot of people don't enjoy Brown's books, believing he is too commercialized and over-exaggerated in his style. While I can understand why someone may think that, I don't agree. I love the complexity of the story, the reality and the fiction, the test of character strength, the puzzles, the different view points. It completely absorbs me... so I fall into the category of those who love him and this style of writing, even if others think his writing isn't fantastic. Doesn't mean I don't love the more classic and richly written novels where it's the imagery and the words that win out, too.
I had never heard of Dan Brown in his early years. I heard about the movie being made of the book and how it was coming out relatively soon. I looked it up and saw it had the "treasure-hunter" thrill appeal and decided to read the book before the movie could come out and warp my interpretation. So glad I did!
It's addicting. Growing up Catholic, I knew most of the religious detail, but once it weaved it art, literature, history and philosophy, I was just enamored with the story. Could it really be true? Maybe I'm related to Adam and Eve too! Ok, let's not get too crazy...
Magnificent story-telling. Quick adventure. Beautiful scenes and images. Brown exhibit's intensely good control weaving back and forth between each of the plots, sub-plots and mini-plots. It's as realistic of a treasure hunt as one can get if you are not an adventurer, archaeologist or exhibition-junkie.
But what took it to the next level for me was the amount of detail included for every component. It's the intricate of the intricate, relying on pure puzzles to move the story forward. Each new puzzle creates its own spark of drama directing readers to challenge what they do and do not know about Jesus, Mary Magdalene, languages, culture, locations, etc.
It hits so many different waves of appeal that I felt it was at the top of its game. And it probably only edged out Angels & Demons because of how tight this story was. Definitely a must-read for the genre, for Brown and before watching the movie adaption.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
November 1, 2005
–
Finished Reading
January 7, 2012
– Shelved
September 5, 2016
– Shelved as:
3-multi-book-series
September 7, 2016
– Shelved as:
5-favorite-books
March 11, 2017
– Shelved as:
1-fiction
Comments Showing 1-20 of 20 (20 new)
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Frances
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rated it 4 stars
Apr 11, 2017 03:37PM
This was a superb book James; I must admit I have Angels & Demons at the top! Great review!!
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Frances wrote: "This was a superb book James; I must admit I have Angels & Demons at the top! Great review!!"Thank you. I look forward to the next one.
Great review James. Really loved this book and happy that I read it before watching the movie :) I have read all his books except Angels and Demons which have been left out. Must read it before his next novel origin hit shelves.
Piyangie wrote: "Great review James. Really loved this book and happy that I read it before watching the movie :) I have read all his books except Angels and Demons which have been left out. Must read it before hi..."
Thank you. You must read Angels and Demons. Have you seen the movie? I do like Ewan McGregor in the role he plays.
I read this when I was 12 (more than 10 years ago), and I instantly fell in love with reading. Then I made sure I read his other works, and when I read them (age 13), my obsession for reading got even more compulsive and deep.
... Also, great review, James! I absolutely agree with everything you have said in your review.
Medhat wrote: "... Also, great review, James! I absolutely agree with everything you have said in your review."Thanks. I am really excited for his next one to come out. It's been a while since I've had one to read... and while the movies have been good, they don't always compare. I haven't seen the last one yet still.
Love a good compulsive read.
James wrote: "Medhat wrote: "... Also, great review, James! I absolutely agree with everything you have said in your review."Thanks. I am really excited for his next one to come out. It's been a while since I'..."
The Da Vinci Code movie was a good one, but they killed it with the last quarter; they chopped off the ending of the book and gave a very blunt one to the movie.
However, although Angels & Demons the movie was a bit foreign to the book, it worked real well and was done delicately.
Concerning Inferno the movie, I wouldn't recommend it; it destroyed a lot of the magnificent parts of the book, and dis-humanized a character.
His earlier books Deception Point and Digital Fortress are more like science fiction thrillers..I guess he began using religion/ history as a theme for his books from the Dan Vinci Code on wards. I love Dan Brown too and I don't think his style of writing is exaggerated at all. I love how he uses religion and history to weave a good thriller! I
James wrote: "Piyangie wrote: "Great review James. Really loved this book and happy that I read it before watching the movie :) I have read all his books except Angels and Demons which have been left out. Must ..."
I have both the movie and book with me but neither watched nor read still. :) I think I would watch it after reading the book to be on safer side.
Piyangie wrote: "James wrote: "Piyangie wrote: "Great review James. Really loved this book and happy that I read it before watching the movie :) I have read all his books except Angels and Demons which have been l..."
Definitely give it a chance!
Tahera wrote: "His earlier books Deception Point and Digital Fortress are more like science fiction thrillers..I guess he began using religion/ history as a theme for his books from the Dan Vinci Code on wards. I..."I haven't read those but they are on my TBR list.
Medhat wrote: "James wrote: "Medhat wrote: "... Also, great review, James! I absolutely agree with everything you have said in your review."Thanks. I am really excited for his next one to come out. It's been a ..."
I appreciate the heads up. I'll wait for it to be on TV instead of paying for it! :)
James have you read the new John Connolly? Suppose to be his best yet.
Teresa wrote: "James have you read the new John Connolly? Suppose to be his best yet."No, I will need to look that up!
James wrote: "Piyangie wrote: "James wrote: "Piyangie wrote: "Great review James. Really loved this book and happy that I read it before watching the movie :) I have read all his books except Angels and Demons ..."
I will. It is being hanging on my shelf for too long. :)
James wrote: "Tahera wrote: "His earlier books Deception Point and Digital Fortress are more like science fiction thrillers..I guess he began using religion/ history as a theme for his books from the Dan Vinci C..."You must read those two James, especially the Digital Fortress. That is a brilliant book!
Thanks for the recommendation. I have wanted to try it for the longest time.
Great review! This book is just fun, isn't it? Gripping story, well written, a literal page-turner ... I couldn't put it down. I sort of understand the haters who are castigating the book for its historical inaccuracies, but I thought it was great.
I totally agree- it was about the journey, puzzles and approach to telling the story for me. I can suspend disbelief at times! Thx.
