When Thomas Noronha, a professor of history and an expert cryptographer, is called upon to finish an unresolved investigation involving an aged... read full description
reviews
Jan 19, 2012
Goncalo
rated it: 
O Codex 632 foi o 1º livro de José Rodrigues dos Santos que li, e provavelmente será o mais conhecido do seu reportório. Infelizmente é imediatamente perceptível o seu lado jornalístico de contar uma história. Enormes trechos descritivos, maior importância dada à investigação que ao desenrolar da história e, para além disso, má caracterização de personagens ou personagens que surgem apenas com o intuito de introduzir mais uma longa dissertação histórica.
Num estilo mais para o lento, More...
Num estilo mais para o lento, More...
Sep 04, 2011
Keith
rated it:
Okay, I’m going to try to explain something here that I’m not sure how to explain. I’ve recently read several novels that are translations into English and in more than one I feel as if I’m missing something. This novel is translated from Portuguese and although it’s thoroughly readable and flows well enough there is something about the main character that just doesn’t work for me and I’m not sure what it is. He just isn’t believable. There is something awkward and stiff about him even when
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May 05, 2011
Marco Caetano
rated it: 
MOLOC NINUNDIA OMASTOOS
Foi esta a primeira cifra que Tomás de Noronha, professor e especialista em criptanálise, teve de decifrar quando lhe foi pedido para continuar uma investigação. Jamais poderia imaginar que iria ficar a saber um dos segredos mais bem guardados dos descobrimentos.
Gostei muito de ler esta obra. Quando terminei, acabei por não conseguir perceber se o que li poderá ser ou não verdade. O autor afirma que todos os documentos mencionados neste romance ex More...
Foi esta a primeira cifra que Tomás de Noronha, professor e especialista em criptanálise, teve de decifrar quando lhe foi pedido para continuar uma investigação. Jamais poderia imaginar que iria ficar a saber um dos segredos mais bem guardados dos descobrimentos.
Gostei muito de ler esta obra. Quando terminei, acabei por não conseguir perceber se o que li poderá ser ou não verdade. O autor afirma que todos os documentos mencionados neste romance ex More...
Oct 05, 2011
Scott
rated it:
More like a 3.5 star rating. I liked the primary plot in this book, though it did have some flaws. The history is intriguing; I'm no history expert and I have no idea if any of this is true, but the puzzles and clues really kept me reading. A lot of the book is explanation of things which have already happened rather than revealing what is going on in the present, which gets a little tough to read, but since the story is present day historians trying to figure out the past, I can see where th
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May 28, 2010
David
rated it:
Pretty good Portuguese novel about a university professor hired by a theoretically scholarly organization to find out when Brazil was actually first visited by Europeans turns into a Da Vinci Code-type potboiler on the real identity of Christopher Columbus, (if that is really his name!) Full of some twists and turns on three continents as the story weaves from the U.S. to Portugal and then to Brazil. I think this would have been better as a non-fiction book since dos Santos doesn't really writ
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Jan 28, 2009
Schmacko
rated it: 
I know that a lot of more-qualified critics (like the Washington Post and Kirkus Review) gushed about Codex 632. Meh, I just don’t think these Da Vinci Code-type books are my cup of tea. So, what I am describing are my feelings—why I didn’t like the book.
Codex 632 is about the origins of Christopher Columbus and his discoveries. It’s full of history, cryptology, travel etc. The facts behind what is discussed ad nauseum is interesting – for a while… However, for me, absolutely no More...
Codex 632 is about the origins of Christopher Columbus and his discoveries. It’s full of history, cryptology, travel etc. The facts behind what is discussed ad nauseum is interesting – for a while… However, for me, absolutely no More...
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Aug 11, 2010
Kerry
rated it:
Ugh, I've been avoiding writing this review forever, I suppose I should just get to it.
Back in sixth grade, I saw the film The Hunt for Red October. And I loved it. It was wonderful. It was my new favorite movie. So I bought the book, thinking I would like that too -- and it was horrible. I only got, like, a third of the way through it -- and I didn't stop reading books back then.
It was just so boring. The example I gave to people at the time: Ryan would be explain More...
Back in sixth grade, I saw the film The Hunt for Red October. And I loved it. It was wonderful. It was my new favorite movie. So I bought the book, thinking I would like that too -- and it was horrible. I only got, like, a third of the way through it -- and I didn't stop reading books back then.
It was just so boring. The example I gave to people at the time: Ryan would be explain More...
Aug 27, 2010
Telma
rated it:
Este livro é mesmo bom!Para quem gosta de histórias com grandes revelações históricas, estilo Código de Da Vinci, este é o livro a ler!
Eu estava um pouco apreensiva, porque o José Rodrigues dos Santos é uma cara conhecida, um bom jornalista e pivô, mas daí a escrever um livro... Mas escreveu-o muito bem.
A intriga: Qual a verdadeira identidade de Cristóvão Colombo? Seria ele realmente um pobre tecelão genovês? Ah... as perguntas que nunca fizémos, o encanto de descobrir a verdade. Sim More...
Eu estava um pouco apreensiva, porque o José Rodrigues dos Santos é uma cara conhecida, um bom jornalista e pivô, mas daí a escrever um livro... Mas escreveu-o muito bem.
A intriga: Qual a verdadeira identidade de Cristóvão Colombo? Seria ele realmente um pobre tecelão genovês? Ah... as perguntas que nunca fizémos, o encanto de descobrir a verdade. Sim More...
Nov 14, 2011
Hank
rated it: 
I enjoyed this more than I expected to. It's written in a easily readable style with a few twists. i got a sense of the modern Portugese point of view. I was impressed that the documents referenced for the story are real, thereby giving credibility to the tale. Admittedly I have two personal reasons for liking the book: 1- My mother's maiden name was Coulombe so it's likely I'm distantly related to a French branch of the explorer's family, and 2- I recently had written a similar book of historic
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Mar 11, 2009
Jon
rated it:
I picked this one up at the library on a whim, partly because I like codes and ciphers, and partly because it was translated from the Portuguese. I don't think I've ever read a Portuguese novel. Unfortunately, it's pretty tedious, with pointless and unconvincing ciphers, exhaustive and repetitive circumstantial evidence, almost no suspense, wooden characters, and an anticlimactic conclusion. The translation is not especially skillful either--misused verb moods (shocking!), odd word choices, and
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May 28, 2009
Kirstin
rated it:
Similar in feel to the Da Vinci Code but good. I read a bit about this book and found that all of the reference material really exists, so the book brings to light for us mere mortals not paying attention actual academic theories pertaining to good ole Chris Columbus. I'm dying to read more about the Era of Discovery now and Portugal's role in the world at that time.
The book, itself, feels a little too academic at times (though that's good compared to crackpot and silly). It unfor More...
The book, itself, feels a little too academic at times (though that's good compared to crackpot and silly). It unfor More...
Feb 09, 2010
Isabel
rated it:
Aquando da morte do Professor Martinho Toscano, a American History Foundation contrata Tomás Noronha, um professor de História da Universidade Nova de Lisboa, perito em criptanálise e línguas antigas, para continuar as investigações do falecido professor, no sentido de descobrir que rumo tinham tomado as mesmas. Os conhecimentos de Tomás vêm a ser um elemento chave, já que Toscano deixou uma série de enigmas no sentido de ocultar certas informações. Mas o mistério que estas encerravam revelaram-
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Jan 21, 2011
Manuela
rated it:
Based on genuine historical documents, the new novel by José Rodrigues dos Santos takes us on a surprising journey through time, an adventure full of puzzles and myths, hidden secrets and mysterious clues, facts and deceptive appearances silenced, a real game of mirrors where the illusion disguises to conceal the real truth. A wonderful work that you can not stop reading!
Although criticized by some Portuguese intellectuals, José Rodrigues dos Santos is one of the best Portuguese wri More...
Although criticized by some Portuguese intellectuals, José Rodrigues dos Santos is one of the best Portuguese wri More...
Mar 01, 2010
Kathi
rated it:
The history is interesting, and I did enjoy the detail, but the writing and storyline simply aren't good. Characters (especially the females) are one dimensional and dull. Plot devices are disjointed, and the final revelation of the American Foundation's motivation seems silly. The language is also repetitive and simplistic. I noticed that the reviews in Portuguese are far more favorable, which makes me wonder if the translation is part of the problem.
It could have been a fun, int More...
It could have been a fun, int More...
Apr 25, 2010
Julia
rated it:
Although this novel was very interesting in ways, and held my attention through 10 discs, it lacked the depth and characters to make it a truly good read. Very much in the vein of the "Da Vinci Code," "Codex 632" is a historical drama, with a highly educated young married college professor delving deep into ancient texts in order to bring light to the inky mystery of the origins of Christopher Columbus. The chase takes him from Portugal to Brazil to Israel and back, but als
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Jun 13, 2008
Célia
rated it:
"O Codex 632" é o terceiro romance do jornalista José Rodrigues dos Santos, depois de "A Ilha das Trevas" e "A Filha do Capitão", dos quais só li o último. Confesso que, à partida, e partindo do título deste livro, pensei que fosse uma espécie de aproveitamento do sucesso de livros ao estilo de Dan Brown. A verdade é que decidi dar-lhe uma oportunidade e não fiquei desiludida. A premissa é simples: Tomás Noronha é um professor é um professor de História, que, após a
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Jul 03, 2007
Whitelady3
rated it:
Adorei! Sinceramente acho melhor que O Código da Vinci (apesar de este me ter prendido mais durante a leitura, só que no fim deixou algum vazio...) e que A Regra de Quatro, assemelhando-se em algumas coisas (na minha opinião) a este último. A história está muito bem conseguida, alternando momentos em que o personagem principal se dedica ao Colombo, com outros momentos em que se dedica à sua vida pessoal. Acho que estas partes ajudam-nos a entrar melhor na pele da personagem e, até certo ponto, e
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Nov 15, 2011
Will
rated it:
Not a bad book in general... after I first read it last year I would have given in probably 3 stars... these days it's probably closer to 4 or even 5. If you like Dan Brown, Brad Meltzer, or Boyd Morrison you'll appreciate this book although you'll probably still like those authors better.
It's a different take on the same genre... and the ending was a different and better conclusion that the way most of the book by the authors I mention wrap up their novels.
It's a different take on the same genre... and the ending was a different and better conclusion that the way most of the book by the authors I mention wrap up their novels.
Jul 07, 2011
Benji
rated it:
Fascinating story about the research into Columbus' origins. In many ways, this was a no-brainer, but he did take pains to show exactly how he arrived at his conclusions. I thought his protagonist was oversimplified and the construct around which he created his story was contrived and unnecessary. Why not just have a book about a guy who does good research. There is no need to throw in Lukemia and Down's Syndrome for token sympathies.
Sep 07, 2011
Amy
rated it:
A young professor's life is turned upside down when he is approached by an American foundation to continue the work of a recently deceased colleague. His research leads him around the world as he tries to determine the true identity of Christopher Columbus, through his writings and other historical documents. [return][return]Very interesting research, but the author struggles to put it into a novel format.
Feb 03, 2011
Carvas
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The main character story can be not so interesting as it as been before (for exemple in "A fórmula de Deus") but still, the facts around his daughter, who has down's syndrome, are pretty good to read, and gets some interesting points.
Some stile as all the other JRS novels with Tomás Noronha, but this time with a interesting investigation and theory maily based on the work of Augusto Mascarenhas Barreto about Colombus.
Some stile as all the other JRS novels with Tomás Noronha, but this time with a interesting investigation and theory maily based on the work of Augusto Mascarenhas Barreto about Colombus.
Jan 24, 2012
J
rated it:
Huge disappointment. Basically, the characters just spouted the research, which made it intertexually awkward, only to be emphasized with a made for tv movie sideplot. And the discovery? It could have had interesting historical impact, however this was not explored. Basically, the book was boring and I just kept reading to find out what the big deal was...and there wasn't one.
Nov 28, 2009
Abilio
rated it:
Baseado em documentos históricos genuínos, este romance de José Rodrigues dos Santos transporta-nos numa surpreendente viagem pelo tempo, uma aventura repleta de enigmas e mitos, segredos encobertos e pistas misteriosas, aparências enganadoras e factos silenciados, um autêntico jogo de espelhos onde a ilusão disfarça o real para dissimular a verdade.
Jul 01, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
The style is very Da Vinci code, and the personal saga is not terribly compelling, but what you learn about the Age of Discoveries and Portugal and Spain are outstanding and make it well worth the read. Not your typical history book stuff, but a real view into the machinations of the first two global superpowers and how Columbus was a pawn in the game.
Mar 22, 2009
Erica
rated it:
I hate nothing more than a book where the author condescendingly explains every thought as though his/her reader couldn't keep up with the completely obvious conclusion they wanted you to draw. Because this author does that to an extreme, I can't give it any more than 2 stars, despite it's intriguing proposition of the true identity of Columbus.
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Aug 10, 2010
Mom
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Jun 23, 2010
Jane
rated it:
This book was OK. I thought the story was interesting but could have used some heavy editing. Perhaps it would have been better if I'd had read it instead of listening. I would have given it three stars except the ending (i.e. the last sentence) was worthless and confusing. When I wasn't confused by all the names I thought it was a really interesting premise.
Dec 01, 2009
Maria
rated it:
Algo interessante pela temática pesquisada, mas em termos literários achei mau: aqueles episódios de "romances" pelo meio achei-os ridículos e estapafúrdios. As descrições das personagens e dos lugares também achei muito más... aliás, achei as personagens ridículas e muitas "metidas" ali para encher.
Jan 30, 2012
Amanda
rated it:
This one was an interesting one, although the playaway audiobook I had of it sounded tinny and made the performance a little annoying to listen to. I have a feeling the ciphers and codes would've been easier to understand in the paper version, but in the end, it was a good read. Unexpected in parts.
May 16, 2009
Carolyn
rated it: 
Okay story, nothing too exciting. However, the depiction of the two American foundation members was almost insulting. Mr. Santos has used almost every cliche possible in his description. His main character comments that he hadn't ever been off the continent and I wonder the same for the author.
