14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
I really enjoyed this
All the usual bestseller words apply here. Gripping. Un-putdownable. Page Turner.....
I loved this. I was totally immersed in the story and believed every word written. Reviewers are saying that Dan Brown could have done his homework a bit better, but from where I'm sitting I can't fault the book. I loved it so much and found it very entertaining from start...
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
Possibly the worst book ever written
I ordered this because everyone seemed to be reading it. Never have I made a bigger mistake with a book. It was so bad that I couldn't even finish it. I got half way through and had to give up.
The premise sounds very interesting, and as a Christian I was interested in what it had to say about the alternative history of Jesus Christ.
All the usual bestseller words apply here. Gripping. Un-putdownable. Page Turner.....
I loved this. I was totally immersed in the story and believed every word written. Reviewers are saying that Dan Brown could have done his homework a bit better, but from where I'm sitting I can't fault the book. I loved it so much and found it very entertaining from start to finish.
This was the first book by Brown that I read and upon finishing it I rushed out and bought all his others too. I think it's a close run thing to choose between this and Angels and Demons but A&D 'just' pips 'The Davinci Code' to the better book finish line.......but only just.
This is worth the read.
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I have to say I avoided reading this for a number of reasons until my wife picked up the paperback copy a few weeks ago. She read it in three days and handed it over to me with a hugely positive recommendation.Reluctantly I began to read and would you believe it I too read it in three days. Why? Because it's one of those books you just cannot put down once you begin reading. I love books which have a facutal basis and although 'The Da Vinci Code's' facts are very controversial and debatable it's exactly this that grabs the reader and certainly leaves you thinking at end as to how much you may have learned and the seeds which have been implanted in your mind. For this reason I would recommend the 'Illustrated Edition' - you need to be able to look at the paintings and maps as you read the book to enhance your experience.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
Possibly the worst book ever written, 1 Mar 2005
By A Customer
I ordered this because everyone seemed to be reading it. Never have I made a bigger mistake with a book. It was so bad that I couldn't even finish it. I got half way through and had to give up.
The premise sounds very interesting, and as a Christian I was interested in what it had to say about the alternative history of Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately for me I had already heard this theory about Jesus marrying and having a family before, and all the other stuff in the book is either invented or generally known.
The stuff about the Priory of Sion was invented by a Frenchman in the 1970's who was trying to prove that he was the rightful king of France! The papers he says he found, listing Da Vinci, Sir Isaac Newton et al as members and guardians of this secret society were forgeries, and before his death he admitted to French Television that he and two of his friends made it all up. I loathe authors who are sloppy in their research, and the fact that he insists this is all true makes me wonder about his mental condition.
As a thriller it is appalling. The characters are completely one-dimensional, the situations they find themselves in defy logic, and the lack of suspense, and thrills make the book nearly impossible to read.
I didn't find it controversial, just very very dull. It is definitely the first and last Dan Brown book I will ever read.
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"The Da Vinci Code," has created quite a bit of fanfare within the reading community in the United States. It almost appears that everyone is talking about it, everyone has read it or is reading it and practically everyone is urging others to read it. On that note, any avid reader will naturally raise an eyebrow and question whether any book can possible be that good. To this end, I must honestly report that Dan Brown's book is actually better than expected.
In a nutshell, this book is a thriller. The reader will be entertained from beginning to end. Brown has authored a masterpiece...it is polished...and has no weaknesses. Consequently, I urge any business person who is taking a long trip and will spend many hours in airports and flying...to pick up this book. I don't think its fair to share the plot with you. I don't want to spoil the fun. Of all the books I have reviewed for Amazon to date..."The Da Vinci Code" is by far the most entertaining. Highly recommended.
Bert Ruiz
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I love this book! Some bits can be quite gruesome, but it is one of those books you just can't put down. The plot was great, a real mystery, which really made me think hard. I love it and can't resit making it five star! I really reccomend it, It's a great book!
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I read the da vinci code before it became a best seller, and I must say I did find it 5 star entertainment. You just couldn't second guess the next chapter never mind the end. It goes at a cracking pace throughout. I know its 'uncool' to like the novel now. There has been much criticism about the theories Dan Brown has written about and much debate. Well, I was intrigued by the whole thing. I was given the special collecters edition as a present and I must say,I do wish I had had this as a reference when I first read the book. It was the one thing I found frustrating, having to try to source the pictures and symbols talked about. The new collectors edition is beautifully illustrated although a little heavy to be used as bed-side reading. This book is a delight for fans of the da vinci code, but if your about to read it I would suggest you read the paper back, but if you can afford to, buy the collectors edition for ready reference.
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A work of pure genius, excellent story, brilliant and beautiful photo's and Dan Brown has this uncanny way of making you want to keep on turning the pages. I was literally reading this book late into the night and i had to force my self to put it down. A fantastic read and i personally would recommend it to anyone with a sense of adventure and an interest in historic and beautiful places.
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As an expat in Seoul, I have limited access to newly released English language novels, and when my family came over from Britain to visit recently, a copy of The Da Vinci Code was high on the list of books I asked them to bring with them. The reviews had all been glowing and I really looked forward to reading this. It all turned out to be a bit of an anticlimax.
Before I continue, I do want to say that this could have been a lot worse, I just don't think that it is anywhere near as good as we have all been told. Okay, I grant you that it was a bestseller, but that is merely an indicator that the punters have listened well to where they have been told to spend their money. I am however included in that group, so full marks to the Bantam marketing department for that.
It is a nice concept, and blends supposed historical fact with some very nice ideas into a story that whisks the reader along at a fair old lick. But I felt that this was its downfall. It was over so quickly I was wondering what I had missed. I appreciate that the author was trying to convey the sense of speed as this book covers only the period of a couple of days, but so much I felt was left out. I certainly felt that he killed off two central characters far too quickly, and I believe that unless you can manage a plot twist as skillfully as the ending of the movie 'The Usual Suspects', then at least grant your reader the tiniest amount of information that may indicate something interesting is coming. Also, the unveiling of 'The Teacher' was very clumsily done, essentially rendering all the previous story line regarding the Catholic church pointless, even if it was planned to be the bait in the plot twist trap.
All in all, I think it was a good try, but it just fell too short of the mark for me, maybe another 100 pages would have allowed the author to really do his interesting concept justice. It was entertaining, and for someone looking for some mind candy to take on holiday I would recommend it, but I would also recommend that you do not waste your luggage allowance taking it back home.
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The Da Vinci Code is an introduction to a world you would not know existed. Situated in Paris, we follow the investigations of the symbologist Robert Langdon and a cryptologist, Sophie Neavua, who try to uncover a secret that, if revealed, will destroy the very foundations of Christian dogmas.
The book is intense, almost as if watching a really good crime-film, with excellent cliff-hangers in almost every chapter. Furthermore, the book introduces you to the world of art and religious symbology. A definite must read. Pure excellence!
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