Total Pages: 592
Language: English
Genre: Crime Fiction, Conspiracy Fiction, Thriller, Mystery
Introduction:
Dan Brown's novel, "The Da Vinci Code", is a mystery thriller, that was published in 2003. I first discovered this author's work when I read "Angels and Demons," which is also a mystery/thriller. Then I was eager to start reading "The Da Vinci Code", so I could continue on another exciting reading adventure. The main characters in the fast-paced thriller "The Da Vinci Code" must interpret hints found in works of art, architecture, and riddles in order to solve a murder and protect themselves.
Book Summary:
During his visit to Paris, Harvard Professor and symbologist Robert Langdon receives a late-night call. Through following events, he gets to know that Jacques Sauniere has been assassinated in his own museum, the Louvre, and that he is the main suspect.
As Langdon and the talented French cryptologist Sophie Neveu, the granddaughter of Jacques Sauniere, solve the strange riddles, they are astounded to find a trail of clues that Leonardo da Vinci himself cleverly placed in his paintings. The clues are obvious to everyone yet cleverly concealed by the painter.
Even more astonishing, the late curator had a magnificent historical secret and was a member of the Priory of Sion, a secret organisation that also included Sir Isaac Newton, Victor Hugo, and Leonardo da Vinci. The shocking, ancient fact will be lost for all time unless Langdon and Neveu can solve the perplexing puzzle—while avoiding the mysterious foe who follows their every move.
Book Review:
Although the novel is fiction, Dan Brown has done extensive study on the background of Christianity, its evolution, and the sought "Holy Grail." Nevertheless, I chose to read the book as a thriller on its own terms, and I was glad I did.
I adored the way that Langdon and Neveu came up with the answers, put all the pieces together, and completed each other's knowledge gaps. A book with so many riddles and codes must have required a lot of tedious effort to write. The topic of Christianity may dissuade some readers from picking up his work.
The story is packed with mystery, suspense, action, and thrills. It keeps you guessing and is engrossing and twisted. The novel is captivating. The situations are so expertly described that it appears as though we are witnessing a whole enjoyable movie. Concepts such as the golden ratio phi and the Fibonacci sequence play a role in cracking the code and solving the mystery. Due to various symbolism and references to History that I was unaware of, I found it a little difficult to comprehend it all at once. But I somehow managed to finish the book after googling my doubts regarding the paintings and symbols mentioned in the story.
To feel the thrill and adventure, read this book. Be prepared to learn a little about the symbols' histories as well. Because I assure you, you will assume that everything in the book is accurate. The novel is a wonderful conspiracy theory in which the distinction between fact and fiction is blurred and where fiction can all too easily pass for fact. There is speculation regarding the membership of historical figures in secret societies and the actual location of the Holy Grail. It creates a vivid and captivating world that is all too true to our reality, but the facts should be viewed with caution. The reader must finally decide how much reality is included within the novel's pages.
My Rating: 8.5/10
