| Product: |
The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown |
| Date: |
11.02.06 (236 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Good plot - will keep you interested
Disadvantages: Finishing the book!!!
I had heard of the book 'The Da Vinci Code', but had no idea what it was about or who wrote it. Then I heard about the film being made about the book (starring Tom Hanks, I believe - please correct me if I am wrong here) and a lot of controversy about its contents and thought "this sounds like it should be an interesting book to read." I put it on my Christmas list and was very lucky that Santa decided I had been a good enough girl all year and could have my present!
Anyway, onto the book. 'The Da Vinci Code' is written by Dan Brown. The particular one that I have was published by Corgi and costs £6.99. I have seen it on sale in supermarkets cheaper than this. I am not sure how much mine cost as it was a Christmas present. The ISBN number is 0-552-14951-9. This edition was published in 2004.
Dan Brown has written four books to date, namely The Da Vinci Code, Digital Fortress, Angels and Demons and Deception Point. Angels and Demons was the first book I believe.
The Story
Jacques Sauniere is the Curator at the Louvre Museum in Paris. One night he is found murdered there. Alongside his body are symbols and numbers but the police have no idea what they mean. Desperate for help they call upon the services of Robert Langdon, Professor of Religious Symbology from Harvard University, who is currently in Paris after giving a talk at the American University of Paris. Also called in to help is Agent Sophie Neveu from the Direction Centrale Police Judiciaire (translated means The Judicial Police, also known as DCPJ - is the equivalent of the FBI) Cryptology Department.
Robert finds out that the symbols and numbers left by the body are a reference to the Holy Grail, a much searched for artefact. How could Jacques Sauniere known so much about the Grail. Did he know the actual location of it, was he one of the ones sworn to protect it, was this why he was murdered or was there another reason maybe?
It turns out that the number one suspect in this investigation is Robert. Agent Neveu believes he is an innocent man and hatches an elaborate escape plan from the Louvre. Unfortunately by doing so she also makes herself look guilty to the DCPJ and also has to go on the run.
Robert and Sophie go on the run with the police hot on their trail. The different locations they visit apart from Paris include London and Scotland.
Will they find the Grail in time??
Does it actually exist??
Will they be able to prove Robert is innocent???
All these questions and more can be answered by reading the book.
The Main Characters
Robert Langdon - A Professor of Religious Symbology at Harvard University, has written books titled 'The Symbology of Secret Sects', The Art of the Illuminati' and 'Religious Iconology'. Has just finished writing a book which talks about the Holy Grail. The number one murder suspect.
Sophie Neveu - Works in the Cryptology Department of the police. Has an interest in art. Visited museums a lot as a child with her grandfather. Is now on the run from the police thanks to her helping Robert escape.
Lieutenant Jerome Collet - Works in the DCPJ. He is the one who takes Robert to the Louvre to examine the symbols found by the murder victim. Assists Fache in trying to prove Robert is guilty.
Captain Bezu Fache - Works in the DCPJ. He is convinced that Robert is the man who murdered Jacques Sauniere and is determined to make him admit to it.
Silas - An Albino Monk who escaped from prison, was given shelter and from that day decided to change his ways.
Bishop Aringarosa - The man who gave Silas shelter and helped him see the error of his ways.
Teabing - A bit of an English eccentric. Is living in a Chateau in France and is a good friend of Robert's.
Remy - Is Teabing's butler/servant.
'The Teacher' - An unknown character to everyone except one person. His identity is revealed towards the end of the book.
In my opinion this is a well written book. It has a lot of information in there and touches on things which I didn't know a lot about such as The Priory of Sion and Opus Dei. There is a page at the beginning of the book which explains to you what these two are about, which is good because if you are like me and hadn't heard of them you could get confused when reading this book. Having this page there explains, so you will understand whilst reading the book.
This book moves along at a fast pace. I found great difficulty putting it down. If I had been able to I would have just sat down and read and read.
There are many twists and turns going on throughout this book. You think you have worked something out and your theory is turned upside down.
It reminds me of a rollercoaster - the build up and tension at the beginning of the book and then you are flying through the story with its many twists and turns and all too soon you are at the end of it.
It is an easy to follow book with each chapter only having a few pages, so its the ideal book if you like to read for a little while in bed, but don't like chapters that are going to last for half an hour.
My favourite character in this book had to be Sophie because she came across as a very gutsy lady who is strong willed and had her own mind and opinions. She will not be railroaded into doing something just because someone tells her to. She stands up for what she believes in. There does seem to be a glimmer of attraction between Sophie and Robert and who knows.....
I didn't have a character that I really disliked. At the beginning I didn't really like Captain Bezu Fache, he seemed to be out for blood and didn't care how he got it, but my opinion of him did change partway through the book.
There is background on some of the characters, but I was slightly disappointed that there wasn't more background on Robert. I would have liked to have known whether he was married or had ever been married, had children etc. (Although in fairness this is the second book, all of his background may have been given in the first one, but I have never read it.)
The book gives you lots of information about the existence of the Grail and about Christianity as we know it. It really will make you take a step back and really start to think 'what if.....'
I really did enjoy this book and will read it again. If you like a good suspense book or just fancy trying something different, then this is the one for you.
Please note that this review has previously been published on the Ciao website under my username of Welshfruitbat
Summary: An excellent book with a well thought out plot.
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