Dan Brown - Da Vinci Code

[Lord Mhoram]

Duchess,

And, yes, some people would definately find it to be sacriligious, like my coworker does. But it is quite clearly a work of fiction.

Exactly. However, many people that read the book (including a lot that I know and discussed the book with) take it to be a "real" conspiracy and can't see that it is intended to be entirely fiction.

Regarding the book's anti-Catholicism, I picked up the same vibe. But, taking the book for what it's worth, a fast-paced thriller, I did find the book to be pretty good. Though what's-her-name (the female character) was pretty flat, and a lot of the dialogue was really unrealistic. I'd give it three stars out of five.

[Ainulindale]

Exactly. However, many people that read the book (including a lot that I know and discussed the book with) take it to be a "real" conspiracy and can't see that it is intended to be entirely fiction.

These are the same types of people that were enraptured years ago by the novel that it seems Dan Brown based most of the material off of Holy Blood, Holy Grail, which caused a bit of commotion amongst the populace also, and utterly turned out to be in effect nonesense. But I must admit entertaining it was:)

[The Leper Fairy]

Following on what Metaldemon said... 'Da Vinci Code' is basically a populist, dumbed-down version of the inimitable Umberto Eco's 'Foucault's Pendulum'. Do yourselves a favour, and read the real thing!

Just bought that today... I'll read it if I can figure out what's going on!

[Lady Revel]

I read holy blood, holy grail when I was fourteen, and I read the Da Vinci code recently.

I didn't like either. I am not religious. I was not scandalized. I was, in fact, bored.

[wayfriend]

Following on what Metaldemon said... 'Da Vinci Code' is basically a populist, dumbed-down version of the inimitable Umberto Eco's 'Foucault's Pendulum'. Do yourselves a favour, and read the real thing!

Just bought that today... I'll read it if I can figure out what's going on!

FP is very, very interesting, but it's slow, lacks any sort of action, and is rather dense. In other words, what you'd call 'an aquired taste'. Definitely worth reading though - you learn many unexpected incredible things, and the premise is very entertaining.

[Encryptic]

I read it about a month ago. A good read, although I can definitely see why there was so much controversy over it. I'm not particularly religious, so I don't have any strong feeling one way or the other about Brown's version of events. It may be fictional, but it is an interesting take on the legend that I've not heard before. I'd also have to agree with the general opinion that it reads like a movie script.

[Khat]

I didn't look at the year and was wondering why the movie starring Tom Hnaks was not out yet - May 19, 2006... I hope it does the book justice.
I was thinking another book was coming out... anyone know what and when?

[Edge]

Umberto Eco, quoted in 'Time' magazine re: 'Da Vinci Code':

"The whole conspiracy of that plot... is contained in 'Foucault's Pendulum'. It's all old material that was covered a thousand times before. Brown was very good at taking trash lying around and turning it into a page turner. But it makes me laugh that people take it so seriously."

[Encryptic]

So...should I feel dumb for enjoying The Da Vinci Code?

I wasn't aware it was a rip of Foucault's Pendulum until I heard it from here. Admittedly, I didn't think DVC was a literary masterpiece, but it excels at being a page-turner if nothing else. Although, I did pass on Angels and Demons since I didn't feel like reading the same plot disguised as a different book.

I do want to read Foucault's Pendulum since I just read and enjoyed The Name of the Rose, though.

[Usivius]

I don't think you should feel dumb having enjoyed 'The DaVinci Code'. It is what it is: an enjoyable page-turner. Any attempts to incite religous anger, stir up controversy, or intelligent discussion is like trying to grab air... the book just doesn't have that much 'meat'. It is a fun read. Nothing more.
I was reading the GI and saw an interesting quote from SRD that somewhat echoed my thoughts on Mr. Brown's ability:
"At its core, storytelling is about character; and (as someone observed in an entirely different context) Dan Brown "writes about human beings as if he's never actually met one.""

TDC is a fun book, with an interesting 'mystery' but its fluff. Still, I like it for what it is.

[Encryptic]

Man...I "attempted" to read Foucault's Pendulum a few weeks back, only to realize that my brain is not equipped to read it.

Seriously, I barely managed 15 pages before I figured I'd better stop and spare myself a headache. I like reading something "challenging", but not to the point where I can't even wrap my head around the concepts presented.

/hangs head in shame and sneaks off to read "Good Night, Moon" again.

[Avatar]

Awesome new avatar Encryptic. Really like it.

Aah, I loved FP every time I've read it, but it's certainly not an easy read.

--A

[Encryptic]

Awesome new avatar Encryptic. Really like it.

Aah, I loved FP every time I've read it, but it's certainly not an easy read.

--A

Thanks!

I adapted it from the cover art of "Secret Life" by Jeff VanderMeer.

[wayfriend]

Seriously, I barely managed 15 pages before I figured I'd better stop and spare myself a headache. I like reading something "challenging", but not to the point where I can't even wrap my head around the concepts presented.

FP's opening chapters are very hard to get a grip on. I don't know if it is intentional or not, or if it is something euro that doesn't translate well for american readers or what.

My advice to you is not to worry about it, just skim through the opening passages without worrying about grasping anything. Eventually the yarn starts to pull together.

[Lorelei]

Following on what Metaldemon said... 'Da Vinci Code' is basically a populist, dumbed-down version of the inimitable Umberto Eco's 'Foucault's Pendulum'. Do yourselves a favour, and read the real thing!

Just started reading Foucault's Pendulum last night.....just finished DaVinci Code last week.....will be back with feedback by the endo of the month.

[wayfriend]

Just started reading Foucault's Pendulum last night.....

Now THERE'S a book with a rather impenetrable beginning ... don't give up on it until you see Templars!

[Lorelei]

So far I have found the beginning a bit tough to read, but I have been reading long enough to feel that there is quite a bit of ofreshadowing going on so I will slog through till the end. I do hope the math gets toned down a bit, I think all day and I would like to be able to relax when I'm reading....

[Tulizar]

I read Foucault's Pendulum last month. The first few chapters were intimidating, but it was certainly worth it. I finished The DaVinci code last week and I thought it was a well written, enjoyable thriller.

I don't think you can compare the two novels. Brown intentionally wrote a fast paced conspiratory thriller while Eco constructed an elaborate satire that was designed to make the reader work his brain (often until it hurt.) Brown explains references, making it a page turner, while Eco doesn't waste words explaining his long list of historical characters and references--much of that work is left up to the reader. I started googling every conspiratorial reference Eco presented, but soon realized I'd spend so much time on line that I'd never finish the damn novel!

I thought both books were worth the read, only for different reasons.

[drew]

Isn't there another book called Daughter of God, that follows the same theme too?

[Tjol]

Imo, and only my opinion, it mixes up fiction and fact a little carelessly. That's always the trick when one tries to mix fiction into reality though.

There is one thing I found interesting though, it is written in such a way as to be paced like a tv show. They made a movie instead, but the way it was written, you can just sense the commercial breaks in the story. Which in my opinion is a pretty clever way of making a book fit the largest number of possible readers.

So, I thought it moved well, but was not blown away with it in general. Knowing enough about the history that Brown claimed to research thoroughly may have put me off a bit though, if you roll your eyes every few chapters it does keep you from getting into the world of the story being told.