The Da Vinci Code question

Is it fine literature? No.

Was it entertaining? Absolutely.

Also on the plus side, it piqued my curiosity about my own religious beliefs and prompted me to do some research to find out how many of the purported facts (I know it's a work of fiction, but presumably some research went into it) were true. To my immense relief, the more radical ideas presented had long since been thoroughly debunked by theologians.

Terrible. The most overrated book in history.

Just want to address some previously made comments, first of all this book represents symbolism in it's most basic peon form. Symbolism, when done well can create a rich overlay that should ENHANCE the plot. This is like beginner symbolism for dummies. Second, this is most definitely NOT a classic novel. It's poorly written with only superficial character development and the plot does not flow, it just hops shakily from one explosively bad "happening" to another. Blech!

It was okay, but I couldn't relate to the main character. He was supposed to be an expert Cryptologist, but I solved the problems quicker than he did, and I'm no Einstein.

I liked it but im not that old so I guess I really wouldn’t know

Oh, of course it was one of the best books I've EVER read. I don't understand how anyone would not love it. Why do noses get turned up at books that are enormous best sellers? I was one of the people who read it when it first came out and was trumpeting to all who would listen that the book was great. Bad writing? How is it bad when the story implores you to turn page after page. And then more people turn up their noses after a movie is released based on the book. The movie is only there to bring more people into the story. Just enjoy it for what it is.

Again this book was written in movie script form and he is not a good writer. But his story is compelling and made thousands of people read it and still read it. A little disheartening but the truth is it is in the story.

I really loved the book!!!
I found a movie a little boring after reading it. Plus, I imagined Clive Owen as Robert for some reason and as much as I think Tom Hanks is awesome, he was just not Robert for me.

But as a book, I did love Angels and Demons a lot more!

I really liked it. All the hype over it when it came out, I was not going to read it and then it was chosen as a discussion book, so I had to read it. I loved it.

I loved the book. The movie, not so much.

I read it and it is an impressive book ^_^ i really liked it.

Liked it but thought some of his other books were better

I loved the concept of the book and the story was fascinating, but unfortunately, Dan Brown has got to be the most boring author I have ever read. If I'm to be brutally honest, I don't think I even finished the book and had to settle for finishing it by movie.

Well let's look at it from a $ sense. How many of you could write a book that's sold in the millions of copies. I think that Dan Brown has made some serious $$$. You are in the minority if you dislike this book.

I like movies but Ron Howard didn't play to the romance side of the books.

I did like it. The intricate plot and puzzles were good. Did I take it as serious literature. No. Did I understand it to be a novel, not a commentary on Christianity? Yes.

It was a wonderful book.I love this writer.

i like it so much

I loved the interview with Umberto Eco where he ackowledged that he had written The Da Vinci code as Focoults Pendulum years earlier. Focoult's Pendulum was much much better, but The Da Vinci Code was passing fair forgettable nonosense, good for reading on the train

I really think that it was an amazing book to begin with.

I loved it. It had an interesting spin on the holy grail. and it it had lots of fun tid bits

This book is hugely, vastly, immensely over-rated. My sister said it best when she observed that most people that *love* 'TDC' are people that don't read very much and don't know any better.

I know it probably isn't the best book out there, but it was my introduction to history/myth/religion-kind of books and therefore it'll always have a place in my heart. Besides, I like the cliffhangers.

I was personally shocked to discover that so many people hated Dan Brown's writing. I've read The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons and thought both were excellent novels due to the story itself and Brown's writing style. The way he describes the mystery and tension in the Da Vinci Code makes the story what it is, and made it very difficult for me to put down the book.

Comparatively, I think Matthew Reilly's work is a situation where his writing definitely has an impact on the quality of the story. However, I don't think this is the case with Dan Brown at all.

And I definitely agree that the hype of it all destroyed the fact that the Da Vinci Code was simply just a very exciting and interesting novel. People need to take a step back from the hype, read the book and then form an opinion.

The story does not make sense. The characters are so one dimensional they're like cardboard.

I really loved this book and Angels and Demons. I have not read The Lost Symbol yet but it is on my list to read. I think Dan brown tells a great story

I thought it was ok. It got my attention and it makes you think. This book is good in the sense that it teaches you to always ask questions, that just because someone says something's right, doesn't make them right. It shows how easily someone can rewrite an entire history. For that, I really like it and the historical side of it. However, the plot was predictable and the writing wasn't all that wonderful. That's why I say this book is only just ok.

Spank me with cooked spaghetti, but I enjoyed the book. Dan Brown wrote a literary game of cat and mouse with symbolism as a backdrop. Not an easy task. Besides, he's laughing all the way to the vault with his ton of money. Wish I'd written the book!

i loved it but god! the movie sucked and esp the angels and demons movie oh god! it sent me to a rage

I liked it. I thought it was a good read and i liked the theories behind it. They made me think. I was not impressed with the ending.

blahblah

I liked 'The Da Vinci Code' very much. I too thought 'Angels and Demons' was much better. It had a faster pace and to me more interesting story line. If you liked these 2 books you might like some of Steve Berry's books. Historical adventure stories, a new genre in fiction?

I liked it! It was so engaging. I cannot understand how someone could not like it. i guess people have different tastes. I also loved angels and demons but I hated the Lost Symbol. For me, it was all gibberish.

I did like DaVinci code. I loved the way he weaved the story lines. Do I believe the content? That is another story. But all in all, a good read.

I liked it.

I thought it was an enjoyable book and probably his best but i dont see myself every reading another after The Lost Symbol which I now have to read

This was a great book! Fiction was well written and extremely interesting. I like when a book has a good story and keeps my attention. This book has all of that and some more!!

I thought (and still think) it was dreadful! Had it not been for my love of Italy, I would not have continued reading it...suffice to say that I did NOT finish it..most unusual for me not to finish a book! In my opinion (for what it's worth) grossly overrated.

Definitely its a page turner with cliff hangers at every turn. Deep characters and meaningful themes? Probably not. But Dan Brown succeeded in what he intended.

I thought it was fantastic! I am not terribly religious, but I did find it to be though provoking. I very enjoyable read all around.

I own & have read the entire series. Being a pagan, I find the whole concept of Catholicism & Christianity a huge hype in itself. There are SO many inconsistencies in the bible itself that it's quite honestly no more than a book of stories, & because so much was left OUT of it, it's an incomplete document, so why SHOULDN'T this trilogy play to the doubts that many people have? Yes, the legends of the Holy Grail being a woman instead of a cup have been around for as many years as the bible has been, but if you actually DO the research, there is absolutely no reason to believe that a man of his station in life would not have married & had children who had to flee for their lives after he was executed. It makes SENSE. So does the fact that Mary Magdalene, who was by FACT & account much beloved by him, would have been that woman. The CHURCH was the entity that turned her into a whore to perpetuate the myth that he was single & to further their own ends. I believe 100% that there is a lot of truth in these books. They are wonderfully written NOVELS, but he's a good historian as well.

I read the Da Vinci Code first and loved it. Angels and Demons was ok and I don't know what happened in the Lost Symbol. Tom Hanks ruined the movies, should have been Viggo Mortenson.

I liked it.

I did like it, but it wasn't what I expected. During reading I kept expecting to learn more about the characters. But obviously this isn't a character-driven book, I just realized it too late. :) Still an entertaining read.

I read the book a number of years ago and found it poorly edited and somewhat juvenile. The premise was interesting, that's the best I can say.

I avoided it mostly because when it came out, you couldn't go anywhere without seeing somebody reading it...like the time I was on the subway and looked up and down the car and saw no fewer than 8 people reading it.

I saw my mother had it and since there was nothing else to do at her house during Christmas, I gave it a shot and was more than pleasantly surprised. It was a real page-turner and the premise was interesting, even though the characters are wooden.

I recommend it to anyone who's looking to pass the time but not expecting Hemingway or Steinbeck.

Symbolism for Dummies. Anyone that is remotely into symbolism, occult, conspiracy theory with find this rather boring.

I hated it. I thought the writing was peurile and obvious. Way too many characters thinking something in italics then saying the exact same thing in dialogue the next line. Real annoying. The subject matter was interesting but in terms of writing style I thought it left a lot to be desired. I can understand why many people love it though. I just have a few pet peeves when it comes to books I read and Da Vinci Code hits on almost all of them.

Springer

it is good. but when compared to "Angels and Demons" it is nothing....

movie didnt live up to the book, but it was an easy quick read

i loved it,so far it's one of the most wonderful thrilling book i've ever read., i skipped my meals,i never slept not until i finished reading it..lol