Is there anyone who doesn't know what The Da Vinci Code is about? I know I'm late to the party reading this, but I deliberately wanted to read it once the hype had died down. I read Angels & Demons, the first of Brown's code-filled thrillers starring Robert Langdon two years ago and I thought it was time to see what it's more famous sequel was really all about.
brilliant...
I'm a little surprised to find that I found this book utterly enjoyable - it's exciting, fast paced (everything happens within about 24 hours), intelligent and thought-provoking. It's also preposterous and sometimes too clever for its own good, but that didn't detract from Brown's cracking tale of cryptexes, novel takes on the life of Jesus Christ and an albino monk. I found the discussions of religious history fascinating, and the fact that it is all set in recognisable parts of Paris and London made the more outlandish claims and feats more real and believable. I can see why people got up in arms about the claims espoused by Langdon and co, but then again it is only a work of fiction. An exciting, riveting one too.
but...
As with Angels & Demons, Langdon is not really that interesting a protagonist, but at least his female companions have some spunk. It's really all about the plot though, so I can forgive Brown's not making Langdon into anything other than an engine to get the story moving from puzzle to puzzle.
briefly...
After all of the hype is stripped away, The Da Vinci Code remains a ripping mystery that challenges the status quo and offers food for thought. Plus, did I mention the albino monk?
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