Decent But Hardly Mindblowing (The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown)

Member Name: paul1983

Product:	The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
Date:	14/07/09 (5 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Clever concept

Disadvantages: Poor finish, goes on too long.

Ok first things first. Read this before you watch the film. History has produced very few books that have been bettered by the film, this isn't one of them.

Secondly ignore the whole razzamataz surrounding the story. It's a story! Yes it paints a poor picture of Christianity but it's a story, a tale, a book, a fiction book nonetheless. FICTION!! Try to go into reading this book with an open mind, it really will help.

Luckily I bought this book when it first came out, thus avoiding the huge, ridiculous, slur campaign that followed. Without a doubt Brown's bending of history is so much so that it totally snaps the rule book but, again, it's fiction and if anyone takes it as a historical fact then they really need to broaden their horizons a bit more.

Anyway, enough ranting and onto the book. I have to say I'm totally split in two by this book, I was when I first read it and I still am after a few years and another couple of readings since.

The ability to tell a tale is one that Brown's wonderfully blessed with, he really can pen a good story. Da Vinci Code, whilst not his best work (Angels and Demons) is a great story, slightly over the top, providing you work at it.

When I first finished this book I was a bit dejected because after a branstorming start and a heart racing middle of the book, it loses its way a little and by the time I finished I was pleased and had been waiting for the ending for about 100 pages or more.

I never like reading reviews that give the whole plot away so I try to avoid doing as such, especially when it's very easy to let slip out key elements for such a book.

Basically give this a go, it's a generally easy read but does require focus - it's not a book you can read for a bit and leave for six months but the short chapters that Brown favours does allow you to read four/five pages at a time if you prefer.

One final point, I wouldn't read Angels and Demons before this nor would I read Digital Fortress after it. Angels and Demons is far superior in every way whilst Digital Fortess is slow, very dated and limited in both imagination and excitement.

Summary: Brown's done better but also worse.