Da Vinci Code...question
 

I jsut finished reading Angels and Demons, what a great book! I am on to The Da Vinci Code next. Is it necessary to buy the illustrated version, or can I get along fine with the non-illistrated?

I don't think it matters. I can't post my opinion of the writing talents of D. Brown here, I am liable to be lambasted. If it is an escapist story you are after = go fot it. If you want excellent writing...well, you might want to skip it...

I have also heard from many that Angels and Demons was must better than DaVinci code. To be fair, I might try Angels and Demons to give him a second try. No one can argue that he isn't a huge success, that is for sure!

And I thought I was the only one. Couldn;t get moer than 30 pages or so into the book it was so silly. And not only the plot, characters and poor choice of language - but a lot of the geography/locale info is just nonsense.,

Wanerlust5:

Good for you for thinking of giving Angels and Demons another shot. And by the way, I have read in here that a few people are overly impressed with Dan Brown...I have been wondering why? Am I missing something? I know you might get lambasted and all...but what happened to stating your opinion? Just curious.

Wanderlust,
Give Angels and Demons a try. I thought it was a much, much better book than Da Vinci Code. I read it after Da Vinci Code after thinking DaVC was only so-so. I thought A&D was better written.

It's not even a question of excellent writing: even fair would be am improvement. Talk about flat characters!

nytraveler, you're definitely not the only one. I couldn't get past the second page!

I could tolerate reading Angels and Demons, although it was more than absurd. But the Da Vinci Code really drove me around a bend, and I quickly gave up. And I had gotten the nice illustrated version from the library. At least the pictures were good.

I enjoyed both books, but I really struggled with the first 80 or so pages of each book. After that, I was hooked.

I am a sad person!! I was hooked from the begining with both books.
Can't wait to do the Da Vinci Code trail in paris!!

A friend of mine swears by the ilustrated version. She read it both ways.

I did enjoy both the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons. But I enjoy action/adventure books and never thought of these titles as more than fiction. Sort of like Indiana Jones.
That said. My first two times reading Da Vinci Code, which was before it became popular, I managed just fine looking up the paintings and locations on-line. I believe it did add to reading the book. I did get the illustrated version much later because I enjoy re-re-re-reading books.

Not impressed with the book, either. Predictable, with flat characters and shallow writing style. I don't think I'll look forward to the author's other books.

I started the Da Vinci code book and finished with the audio CD on road trips. I have the hardcover but wish I had the illustrated version. I ogle it every time I'm in B&N. I definitely would have bought the illustrated version if I'd had the option then.

Finally! I too was majorly unimpressed with The Da Vinci Code, but have yet to meet anyone who shares my opinion. I finished the book, but it wasn't easy. The writing style, the amazingly short chapters, and the predictability of the story were all truly uninspiring. I continue to be totally baffled by the success and popularity of this book.

I'm in agreement with all the other comments on here! However, I DID finish it, (before almost giving up like some of the rest of you). Totally preposterous story, poorly written - but on the best seller list for how many years? I never tried to read Angels and Demons. Maybe like wanderlust5, I'll give it a try!

Well thanks for the replies. I will replace the book I have with the illistrated version. Hopefully I won't have a hard time getting into it, I bought it to read on a 9 hour place ride!

Dear everyone: I love all of you - I really thought I would get burned at the stake! I am glad to know I am not alone in my opinion of the writing. I will try Angels & Demons...it has to be better, she said with a smile..

I love Fodorites! :-)

I much preferred "Angels and Demons" to "The DaVinci Code" and when I mentioned it to friends I was surprised that they all agreed.

That said. Fiction must believable and he extreme physical exertions hour after hour are hard to buy. I know the
book is really a "Western" set in Rome

Even so it makes a "good read"

It has been suggested that "The Da Vinci Code" is a good book for a trans Atlantic flight.

:-B

I picked up the Da Vinci Code at 12 noon on my day off and did not put it down until 4am in the morning. I made my husband find his own way for dinner. I was barely able to get up that morn from lack of sleep.

The whole time I was wishing I had a picture of the Last Supper, and other things listed in the book.

Put me down as someone else who couldn't get past the second page. It's a long time since I've seen writing as stupefyingly bad as that, and from what I understand of the theme it's been done to death in other pseudo-history books.

In response to the question!!!! Read the illustrated version just cause everything he talks about will be at hand. I wish it had been published when I read the book cause I was constantly checking on the web sight. Enjoy!!! Its a fun book!!! Not great but def. fun!!!!!

First read it as a work of fiction.
We can debate some of the more controversial issues until the cows come home.

Buy the illustrated version. Otherwise the intracate nature of the cryptex and other devices will be lost.

I know something of codes and ciphers (there is a distinct difference) and I thought the visual aids indispensable.

The only point I sort of find hard to swallow is the pay off by the Catholic church. But again, this is fiction.
Read it as such. Don't get caught up in anything else.

Might as well put my 2 cts (0.015E) in.

I found the Da Vinci code to be a C- to C sort of crime novel.

"Angels and Demons" is just awful.

Do keep in mind that A&D was a failure until after the success of TDVC.

PS, don't bother the folks at St. Sulpice.

((I))

I've made this remark on other threads and yes, I've gotten slammed for it. So here's my chance to chime in with others of like opinion. I don't care how many books Dan Brown sells, he's a crappy writer.

I actually enjoyed the story, but hated the juvenile tricks for maintaining suspense (usually found at the end of a chapter), the cardboard characters, and the mediocre writing.

With so many really great books out there, I won't waste my time with any more of his work.

count me in as another non-fan of these books. some novels unfortunately get turned into really bad movies, but these two read like they were written as screenplays for the really bad movies! - the ones that cater to the lowest common denominator and have really unbelievable action scenes (and horrible casting... tom hanks????). it's really a shame, because he's dealing with intelligent subject matter. i read da vinci a long time ago, and recently forced myself thru angels just because i'm returning to rome soon. but please, someone, when his next book comes out, remind me not to read it!

D'accord, Marilyn. The writing is along the lines of the "It Was a Dark and Stormy Night" contest that San Jose State puts on every year. On the other hand, you can read it as comic relief.

Finally I find some others who weren't blown away by it. I really don't understand all the hype for this mediocre book. And all the Da Vinci Code tours that have followed. It was a work of fiction that needs to be gotten over. The only other Dan Brown I've read is Digital Fortress and found it so predictable I didn't see the point of finishing.

You all are so hilarious - I love reading these postings, whether we are discussing books or restaurants or cowboys boots in fashion colors. Thanks for being a great group of virtual friends... :-)

Ah, Marilyn, we agree again.
I detested the "little did they know what was about to happen" endings for each chapter.

I have often wondered how many of the people who blast away at Dan Brown are really expressing a hangup over his suggestions about Mary Magdalene.

Tell me, just who is that in the Last Supper seated to the right of Jesus?
Man or woman?

And just what is the significance of the "Hand with the Knife?"

brookwood, I went to a lecture by an art history professor who used the Da Vinci code as a hook for talking about one of her favorite artists - Leonardo da Vinci. Anyway, she pointed out how many of da Vinci's male characters (like John the Baptist in another painting) are androgynous or feminine-looking. I don't think John, the disciple who Jesus loved according to the Gospel of John, is supposed to be a woman in the Last Supper.

And I will say that I think it's great that Dan Brown has been able to sell so many books. For whatever reason, he's been very successful, and he's gotten a lot of people interested in Renaissance and Baroque art and architecture, not to mention theology.

brookwood, that's actually the only part I find interesting. (Being of the Jewish persuasion, whatever oddball theories are put forth about Jesus don't make no never mind to me.)

brookwood, I am not bothered by the pseudo-theology and church conspiracy theories at all, not being a Christian. Lots of authors have written historical fiction anyway. I think it's hilarious that some Christian representatives feel compelled to mount campaigns refuting what's in the book. What I was terribly bothered by was the poor quality of the writing. I didn't even think the story was interesting as a mystery or an adventure nor even as a Paris travelogue, though I did finish it just because that's what I try to do.

And I thought I was alone in my thinking. Read "The DaVinci Code," and listened to "Angels and Demons" on CD. (Much prefer listening.) I enjoyed the books, but can hardly call them great or well written.

In "Angels and Demons" I envision Harrison Ford in the lead -- something like "Indiana Jones," with a death-defying challenge every hour. For the female lead I envision Selma Hayek (I know I'm spelling her name wrong).

I've heard they're making a movie of the "DaVinci Code." What do you think the chances are they will make a movie of "Angels and Demons"?

luvtotravel, I see the Robert character as being a scholarly-looking guy called to go beyond his usual bookishness to perform great feats. I'm not really current on movies or actors, but I could even see Hugh Grant in the role. He definitely should be wearing glasses, though, as he performs his death-defying deeds.

My opinion, although the art history professor did not state it so I don't know what she thinks on this, is that Leonardo da Vinci was making a statement about sexuality by making the disciple John (and John the Baptist for that matter) so feminine-looking. da Vinci is thought by many to have been gay - rather hard to prove such things over 500 years later, of course.

Jeez, are you guys this hard on all books? I can barely stand murder mysteries but I know folks who can read volume after volume by the same author. Most adults read to "escape" - I know I do.

Did someone profess these books to be Great Literature? If so, I missed that pronouncement. I imagine the reason The DaVinci Code has been a top seller - for what? two years? - is that people read it for a variety of reasons.

I can't see Tom Hanks in the lead, but so he will be.

As far as the androgynous nature of many figures painted by Leonardo goes, I have seen arguments by scholars according to which Mona Lisa is a man and, not only a man, a self-portrait.

But that takes us a bit far from the original topic...

Both books are fun reads -- though neither could be characterized as anything close to "non-fiction." But if you enjoyed reading the first, you'll probably like the second. And besides, if you like it, who cares what other people think. My wife gave me the illustrated Da Vinci Code and I liked it.