The Da Vinci Code

Much has been said and written about The Da Vinci Code and it is worth checking out if you have not already done so. This is following his first book with Robert Langdon, so I would recommend reading Angels & Demons 1st. You can enjoy this without the first one, however starting the trilogy off properly will make this more enjoyable. Well written, educational, and thought-provoking. Loved it! Have not seen the movie and would say the book is worth the read since movies tend to dissapoint. If you saw the movie, this is a MUST read since it has so much more to offer from what I've heard.

I really enjoyed the narration. At times I couldn't understand the spelling of certain words or locations, so I picked up the hard back to read along. The audio book is different than the printed version. The audio book is better than the print because there were a few twists that threw the reader's thoughts into a different direction. I would recommend the audio book first, then the print book. Even better is to do both at the same time.

I really liked this book. I listen to it in my car on the way to work each day. I also watched the movie and would recommend the book over the movie. I am also going to listen to Angels and Demons.

1000 times better than the movie--

What a great blend of Fiction and "facts". Worth every second of the 15 hours!

I never really liked audiobooks because they were drab and sometimes hard to follow. But I was pleased when I bought the audiobook for the DaVinci Code! The narrator does a great job with the different "voices" for the characters, and he has a decent French accent. The book isn't bad, either.

I was extremely pleased with the detail and suspense of this book. This was my first read of Brown and it set me off to read his other works. Though some won't read because they believe it is "pure fiction", and offends their religious beliefs, I enjoy a good piece of fiction. A must for anyone that can look past the fact or fiction of the religious content.

The basic premise explored by Dan Brown in the DaVinci Code had been set forth some 20 years earlier in books such as Holy Blood, Holy Grail. This premise of The DaVinci Code was not a surprise to those familiar with Henry Lincoln and his associates. A minor spate of books exploring the same or closely related topics have been published over the last 20 years. All these books are written from the perspective that the life and death of Jesus was significantly different from hundreds of years of Church teachings. The cryptic essence of the Holy Grail and the secret society that is the keeper of the "Grail Knowledge" provide the principal theme on which the plot hangs.

I say this, not to detract from Brown's efforts, but rather to point out that the major ideas that Brown weaves into this engrossing story are not unique to Brown. However, it is the novelization of these ideas for which Brown is to be commended. The DaVinci Code is a novel that takes these ideas and presents them in an exciting and overall well-crafted story. It holds your attention throughout. In the process, he introduces many new tidbits and topics of arcane interest, prior books not withstanding. Readers unfamiliar with the prior works will find The DaVinci Code full of esoterica and plot twists that will cause them take a more critical look at the religious dogma that have been carefully perpetuated and guarded by the Catholic Church and most of its off shoots for nearly two millennia.

On a negative note, Brown has a slight tendency to occasionally over explain and overkill a topic. However, on balance, I found the novel to be entertaining, informative and a technically satisfying read (listen).

If you're looking for a fun summer read that has the added benefit of being intellectually stimulating, this is it. The hype generally surrounding bestsellers is usually enough to turn me off but I gave this a try at the suggestion of a friend. I was not disappointed. Approach it like a serial novel and don't take it too seriously although there are enough facts inside to tempt you. I guess I don't know what a "true" british or french accent is supposed to sound like but the narrator did a good job with the possible exception of Sopie Noveu. My experience is that most male narrators have a hard time doing female voices and this is no exception. Enjoy.

It's a fun labyrinth. It isn't a masterpiece, but if you're looking for something fun to listen to in your car, this is it!