The Da Vinci Code

Publisher's Summary

Now a major motion picture starring Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou.

While in Paris on business, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon receives an urgent late-night phone call: the elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum. Near the body, police have found a baffling cipher. While working to solve the enigmatic riddle, Langdon is stunned to discover it leads to a trail of clues hidden in the works of Da Vinci, clues visible for all to see, yet ingeniously disguised by the painter.

Langdon joins forces with a gifted French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, and learns the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion, an actual secret society whose members included Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo, and Da Vinci, among others.

In a breathless race through Paris, London, and beyond, Langdon and Neveu match wits with a faceless powerbroker who seems to anticipate their every move. Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine puzzle in time, the Priory's ancient secret, and an explosive historical truth, will be lost forever.

As a special bonus, this audio edition includes Dan Brown's October 2005 speech at the University of New Hampshire, introduced by his father. The author discusses the research behind his groundbreaking novel and the controversy it has created. Also, listen to an exclusive interview with Akiva Goldsman, screenwriter of The Da Vinci Code.

Can't get enough of The Da Vinci Code? Check out our store devoted to all things Da Vinci.

©2003 Dan Brown (P)2003 Books On Tape, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"In this gleefully erudite suspense novel, Mr. Brown takes the format...to blockbuster perfection." (The New York Times)
"Brown solidifies his reputation as one of the most skilled thriller writers on the planet with his best book yet, a compelling blend of history and page-turning suspense." (Library Journal)
"Many notches above the intelligent thriller; this is pure genius." (Nelson DeMille)

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.

88 of 107 people found this review helpful

Excellent book and narration!

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.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Outstanding work of fiction

What a great work of fiction this is! I thoroughly enjoyed the book. People get all worked up over the possibility that some of this could be true. My friend says, "But it's based on fact." I tell him that a work of fiction based on fact, is still fiction. That there are some real facts in it simply makes it more interesting. The book is very well written, and very well read. Paul Michael does a superb job of reading. His accents are so convincing, I found myself forgetting that there wasn't a full cast of characters. The dialogue was very good as well.

My next listen will be "Truth and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code" by Bart D. Ehrman. It will be interesting to hear what a real historian has to say.

Read the book!

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

DaVinci Code was not first

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).

7 of 8 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.

18 of 22 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.

10 of 12 people found this review helpful

FUN FUN FUN

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

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Quite simply fascinating!

This is one of the great books of our time. I have listened to and read most of the great mystery writers of the past 50 years and nothing has caught my attention like this novel. The characters are good but the plot and its details are interesting beyond words. I am going to go buy the illustrated version of the book for my collection. Now I have to research the "facts" of the book to see which are real. Well Done!

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Not a masterpiece but a fun romp!

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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Light but very fun

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!

5 of 6 people found this review helpful