There is no doubt this is a terrible book, but I cannot deny it's also a page turner. It doesn't really make much sense, but all happens at such frenetic pace (apart from a break where they go to the library) that it doesn't really matter too much. ( )

През 1982 г. е публикувана книгата "Светата кръв и Светия граал", която лансира хипотеза за живота на Исус Христос, която включва негов брак и дете. Като цяло, книгата получава изключително негативни оценки от историци и изследователи, които посочват че основната част от твърденията, мистериите и теориите на конспирацията в нея са псевдоисторически и методът на работа на авторите е по-близко до съчинителството, отколкото до научния подход.

Двайсетина години след това Дан Браун използва хипотезите от книгата, за да напише плоско трилърче, в което има явна липса на действие, но за сметка на това досадно количество изсмукани от пръстите загадки, съвпадения и пъзели, заложени от тайни общества преди стотици години. ( )

Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code is a masterful blend of history, art, and suspense that delivers an unforgettable reading experience. Brown crafts a gripping mystery from start to finish, weaving in intricate puzzles and historical secrets that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The fast-paced narrative, paired with meticulously researched references to religious and artistic symbols, makes the plot feel both immersive and intellectually stimulating.

The protagonist, Robert Langdon, leads readers through a whirlwind of clues that challenge conventions and unravel an ancient mystery tied to Western civilization’s most sacred institutions. The twists and revelations are brilliantly executed, heightening the sense of urgency and thrill in each chapter. Brown’s ability to make complex ideas accessible without compromising depth adds a layer of sophistication to this thrilling read.

In sum, The Da Vinci Code is a triumph in modern thriller fiction—a page-turner that will leave you questioning long after you’ve turned the last page. ( )

My first Dan Brown book and it had me hooked from the start. I could not put it down. I love books that lead me to explore other topics or mention other books that may interest me. Especially if a fiction book leads to exploring historical readings. I'm weird that way.

If you are easily offended on the topic of religion, I do not recommend this book. It questions everything, but is deeply gratifying as a mystery. There are many puzzles to solve, clues to follow, dangers to escape, but will you find the prize before it's too late.

If you're like me, you will find many reasons to seek out other Dan Brown books, as well as books on other topics raised in the book.

Happy Reading! ( )

If there were a book I never thought I would ever read, this would be it. Not for any personal or divisive reasoning, I just never considered it nor have I watched the movie. I wasn't even aware of the controversy surrounding the book. And as it turns out it has one of my favorite elements in a story, whether it's from a book or a television show/movie. I love twists on history, I like the provocative thinking it sparks, and I enjoy a good healthy discussion on different points of views. Even though I'm a little late to the discussion I thought it prudent still to put in my two cents. Although, all I have to say is I read this book as fiction but at the same time I came out of it more curious, intrigued, and just maybe a bit more suspicious. Some of the points in the book sounded plausible but I bet I could read a book with a different point of view and it would probably also sound as plausible. I think for the most part we are all grounded in our beliefs and even reading the perspectives in this book wouldn't do anything to change that, so in the end I saw the story as a conversation starter more than anything else.

Recently audiobooks have created a new path for me by giving me the chance to read books I was curious about but never really felt the need or urgency to read. And this book is a good example of that. It didn't take very long for me to get caught up in the anticipation and verve of the story, and I give credit to the Narrator for that. What I didn't like was the portrayal of Robert Langdon. Not sure if that was the fault of the narration or the writing. I thought his too laid-back professor vibe didn't do much for his role as the protagonist. He also seemed to be mostly in the background, he didn't have much urgency during high stakes situations and sometimes he was very naive in terms of dealing with authority. I'm more keen to believe that Sophie Neveu was the true protagonist of this story. For one, she had more dialogue and was the main decision maker between the too. Maybe all that was purposeful given one of the main topics of discussion in the book was the role of women in history.

Overall I thought this was a very compelling but divisive twist on religious history and the role art plays into it. Putting aside any personal feelings and beliefs I did truly enjoyed it and am glad I made the decision to check it out. ( )

Boring, predictable mediocre prose with uninteresting characters. I'm happy to see that so many Goodreads members dislike it. It shows that there is hope. ( )

I was a little disappointed with the ending--the whole book was intense, suspenseful, really made me think. I didn't even mind the IDEA of the ending, it just seemed like Brown tried wrapping it all up too quickly... like he spent a long time really developing the main portion of the story, but got tired of writing by the time the story was almost done, so finished it up fast just to be done with it. ( )

I'll give this 2 starts because I finished it, and Brown does have a way of pulling you through the book.

But it really is a very bad book, in at least 3 ways:

1. Sometimes the writing is really bad. While waiting for the grail to be brought out of the safety deposit box, he says they waited like people at an airport who didn't know what was in the bag they were waiting for. Well, how often does that happen?

2. So many mistakes and downright falsehoods about early Xtianity. The Dead Sea Scrolls were not Christian documents. There were not "thousands" who wrote about Christ; very few writings remain, virtually none from close to his life, and those around him at the time were very illiterate. I'm no fan of Xtianity, but I am of the truth.

3. This book takes place in one night! Try to recap everything they did in that one evening, and it's got to be one of the longest nights ever.

That said, some of it was memorable, and he does pull you through. It just leaves you feeling a bit dirty while you read it. ( )

Book 116
The Da Vinci Code.
Dan Brown.
This one sent me into a bit if a spin. Peter said I was "oh I need to read the history of the world... Oh can you explain it?" So we also watched the film and then listened t6 the talking book just to help me absorb it...
Maybe I need a revisit? ( )

listened to the unabridged version on my way to visit my daughter several states away - it was read well and a good story! ( )

Easy read, but Langdon is no Pendergast. ( )

A good mystery thriller plot. The only thing I don’t like about it is the heavy religious reference. The author had a great way to describe things, he tries to make his story as realistic as possible by bringing in real landmarks, stories, arts. However, sometimes it makes it read like a movie plot, not a story. ( )

Not as good as the first one. ( )

Lovely read, full of fun historical popouts, and lots of information about the divine feminine. I’d love to research more about this. ( )

I'm mad I wasted time on this ( )

Overrated, in my opinion. A fun ride at times, but usually boring, predictable, melodramatic, sophomoric. Good for the airplane/airport, if you have nothing else to read. ( )

I understand why this book is considered a best seller. Really intriguing and clever plot. Fast paced, but not overwhelming. Characters are likable and easily distinguished from one another. The intelligence of the characters is satisfying while also feeling realistic. Plot twists are pleasant and make for an even more suspenseful and page-turning story. I love the religious history presented throughout the conspiracies. I found myself learning a great deal about the Catholic Church and actually enjoying it! I have mixed feelings about the way secret societies are portrayed but I think that is the point. I will say, the constant wild goose chase definitely felt a little gimmicky at times, and there was some cliche plot devices used that made the book feel a little basic but that's not necessarily a bad thing, just my personal distaste for convention. Overall, very enjoyable read. ( )

Do NOT understand the hype. Poorly written. ( )

While in Paris for a conference, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon gets caught up into a murder investigation with symbolic meaning. The Louvre’s director has died, leaving behind cryptic clues about the motive for his murder. The victim intends for Langdon to solve the clues, but instead they implicate him. It’s doubly imperative for Langdon to unravel the mystery in order to prove his innocence.

This book created a sensation upon its publication a couple of decades ago because the plot weaves in unorthodox theories of Christianity. The controversy probably generated more readers than it deserved on its merits as a thriller. I didn’t have any trouble deciphering most of the puzzles, so it seemed like I was constantly waiting for the “expert” characters to catch up. There are better thrillers, and there are better sources than a novel for learning about Christian history from both an orthodox and an unorthodox perspective. ( )

Un libro que se atreve con todo y sobre todo a contar algunos de los misterios más enigmáticos de la historia de la religión. Temática muy policiaca a la vez que de investigación- ( )

Very good book. Very similar to the movie. ( )

Very fun. That's about as much value as it has. I get a kick out of how Brown writes like the pagan origins of Christianity are this big secret. No duh! He clearly hasn't visited the Vatican...;-) ( )

Pretty good mystery. This book has been on NY Times best seller list for months and people rave about it being a book they can't put down. I enjoyed it but found it to be OK but not great. Story a little implausible and akin to SF.

O Código Da Vinci vem fascinando milhões de leitores ao redor do mundo com sua envolvente trama policial entremeada com informações sobre arte, religião e rituais secretos.
Com 160 ilustrações e impressão colorida, esta edição especial reproduz os símbolos, obras de arte, monumentos arquitetônicos e localidades históricas citados ao longo do livro.
Dos segredos ocultos na Mona Lisa e na Última Ceia aos símbolos do antigo Egito e a marcos de referência como o Louvre e a Capela Rosslyn, as imagens reunidas aqui vão lançar novas luzes e suscitar outros questionamentos sobre o romance de Dan Brown, tornando sua leitura ainda mais fascinante.

This is one of the worst books I've ever read. It's simply awful. The characters are one-dimensional, the situations are ridiculous, and the premise is absurd. The book proves that there's a sucker born every minute. ( )