The Da Vinci Code

Adjust Your Perspective...

It's important for readers to understand, as many previous reviewers do not, that not all books are works of literature. Chances are that if you are purchasing a(n)(audio)book that appears on the New York Times Bestseller List, it has most of the characteristics that the Average Joe looks for in a book: entertaining, fast-paced, transparent, filled with action (as opposed to thought), and sex.

Although "The Da Vinci Code" features a prudish protagonist that precludes much of the latter, it does serve up an orgy of controversial historical facts that will prod all but the most closed-minded of readers to question their beliefs and research the presented details further. If the indignant one-star-reviewers wanted character development they should have bought some Saul Bellow or Philip Roth. The self-proclaimed writer who fumed, "I wrote better in the 3rd grade" should check her ego and realize that this effective piece of entertainment isn't trying to be deft with the English Language, just thought provoking and fun. I find it funny that those who thought the reading and the book itself was so unbearably horrendous wasted 15+ hours listening to the purported drivel.

Ultimately, this book is great for those who have an interest in religious history and don't mind the cliched plotline and hackneyed characters roughed-in to deliver the truly interesting ideas on the roots of Christianity and the rise of patriarchal society.

89 of 109 people found this review helpful

Big letdown

I was interested with the story because of all the hype. Characters are introduced with great promise, only to be forgotten or poorly written in the rest of the book. Don't waste your time.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Fascinating.

This book has two aspects to it: the story and the history. The story itself is a typical fast paced interesting mystery, complete with some twists and turns. I found the story to be average.

What makes this book stand out in my mind is the history it presents. DaVinci's painting of the last supper will never look the same after you read this book.

To me, this book was a pseudo-history book hidden in a mystery book. Bearing in mind that much of the history discussed in the book deals with Catholic religion, having an open mind is a must to enjoy the book.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Talk about over hype!

I gave into the hype and decided to listen to this book. While I was not impressed by the shallow character development or the simplicity of the dialog, what bothered me most was half cooked (if that) attempt at a deep plot line. I have an earned doctorate in Religious studies, so I know a good deal of Religious history (Christian and otherwise), and the historical ?facts? that the author puts into the mouth of the main character, a historian, are not only misguided, but imaginary tales. I am not Roman Catholic (the church the author bashes) and my goal is not to defend that church, but I am amazed that someone who is so ignorant on issues of religious history would attempt to write a book that deals with the subject, and I am more amazed that people have taken this author at all seriously.

10 of 12 people found this review helpful

Surprised at the negative reviews...

I've read some of the reviews of this book and find them surprising. I found the book entertaining, thought provoking, and somewhat educational. I agree with one reviewer that the people who have a problem with this book probably object more to the theme than its plot or how the story is constructed.

I found the reader to be very good, too. I'm not going to get picky about how well someone does a foreign accent. If they get too authentic I probably won't be able to understand what they are saying! Hey, I'm trying to drive while I listen. I value clear diction and good pacing.

In all, if you are looking for an entertaining book, listen to this one.

19 of 24 people found this review helpful

Good lord, what appalling bilge

What disappointed you about The Da Vinci Code?

First of all the story itself is complete nonsense.

But even that would be supportable if the story had any narrative drive. But somehow, even though all the so-called "action" fits into about 24 hours, very little actually happens. And there is so. much. talking. It's like Dan Brown jotted down all the cool digressions that his favorite art history professor ever made, and then decided to base a book on them.

Has The Da Vinci Code turned you off from other books in this genre?

Absolutely.

In the interview with the screenwriter who adapted the novel (and who is clearly an order of magnitude more intelligent than Dan Brown) he referred to The Da Vinci Code as "speculative fiction." I guess that's code (ha! I've been reading too much Dan Brown--everything is a code now) for "Conspiracy Theory Lite."

You know, I don't mind it when Jules Verne and H. G. Wells and Edgar Rice Burroughs make up submarines powered who knows how, lost worlds where there are still dinosaurs, and people traveling to Mars, because everyone knows they're making it up. But this guy is dicking around with Christianity, a religion (in case you haven't noticed) with over a billion practitioners. And to flat out make up the shit he invents strikes me as either insensitive or outright malicious.

Would you be willing to try another one of Paul Michael’s performances?

I would not.

First of all, he read so, so slowly. The audiobook was 17 hours long and could have been 15 and a half.

Second of all, he made his characters sound like zombies. With the exception of Sir Leigh Teabing, all the characters had a very flat affect. I guess that's how Michael envisions the effects of religious fanaticism and puzzlement, the two dominating mental states of most of the book's characters.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Anger that I wasted a credit. Disappointment that apparently so many people know so little religious history that they actually believe this story to be true.

Any additional comments?

May I please have my credit back? Those were 17 of the least entertaining hours I have ever spent.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Well, I got some historical perspective....

Were it not for the rich texture of historical perspective, these (include Angels and Demons) books are terribly ordinary. The characters are underdeveloped and the plot simplistic, boring really. One dangerous vignette after another grows weary after a time. Mythical cult attacks Myth! Several die, boy doesn't realize that girl wants him. Pretty spine-tingling stuff, alright.

The revelation that the winners write the history may justify the price of admission, but just barely. The paucity of characters and the narrowness of the storyline make anticipating the true culprit far too easy. Just not that many possibilities. The presumptive clues indicating the Captain discount his culpability. After that, the choices are pretty thin re the "teacher".

Good historical vehicle, poor novel!

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Accents were terrible!!!

I enjoyed the book, although it has some really trite narrative devices, but OK, I can be a sport about it. But the reading was irritating. The only accent the reader got right was the Sir Teibing character. The French accents were absolutely horrible, the other British accents totally misplaced (e.g. the librarian speaking in some version of a working class accent -- I don't think so!) The worst was Sophie's feminine whispering in some imagined French accent for hours on end. I found it hard to take.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The da Vinci Code

I listened to this on a long vacation drive and I stayed with it. However, I was generally a step ahead of Robert, which was almost as annoying as the way Brown kept twisting the plot at the end, as if he couldn't bear to end it all. Still more annoying was that everyone consistently referred to Leonardo as "da Vinci." His name is Leonardo. It's rather like calling Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc), "Of Arc(d'Arc)." Annoying. No artist or art curator would make that mistake. His editor should have caught it, even if Brown didn't know any better.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

So Dumbed Down It Hurts

This book has go to be the biggest insult to a reader's intelligence in years. Don't believe the hype. If you aren't comatose, you'll easily see each "revelation" coming long before the author drops it on you as if revealing something extraordinary. Brown even has a character (Sophie) whose main literary purpose appears to be repeating anything important said by other characters just in case the reader isn't paying attention.

If you like the idea of this book, do yourself a favor and read Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose instead. It's vastly superior.

11 of 14 people found this review helpful