The Da Vinci Code Book Review: A daring and speedy read
A novel that can be read in a blink of an eye.
The Da Vinci Code is a standalone novel by Dan Brown. It’s a thriller that hooks the reader by the throat at the end of each of its chapter. The entire book is complete at 449 pages (hardcover) or a whopping 105 chapters with either a prologue and epilogue on each end. The chapters are quite short, but there’s so much that happens in each one, so much action that really makes it hard for the reader to close the book, especially at the end of each chapter.
The Da Vinci Code’s plot is split between two different characters. The main one follows the main character, Robert Langdon, and the second follows another somewhat important character. These two plots collide toward the middle of the book, creating more tension and revealing plot twists that a reader, like myself, would have never guessed. The main character is followed by the French police because he’s accused of killing one of the curator of the Louvre. This happens in the background as Robert Langdon attempts to unfold the secrets left behind in the works of Da Vinci.
My Praise. I absolutely loved the plot twists and how Dan Brown connected pieces mentioned in earlier chapters to the later chapters. It’s all about the details. Another aspect I loved about Dan Brown writing style was the hopping between characters’ POV. Within a single chapter, Brown placed the reader’s mind in two characters, sharing their thoughts and emotions with the reader. He has done an absolutely great job at this, and I really believe it’s one aspect that made The Da Vinci Code a NYT Bestseller. The third praise would be the amount of research. I could only imagine there was a boatload amount of research completed before embarking on this writing journey.
My Critique. The actual writing and the way he connected words together wasn’t for my taste. I enjoy more figurative language and play on words: this book had little, if any. Not really a critique, but there’s a lot of talk about religion. One conflict happens between the Church and The Priory Sions. And it seemed to be as if the book depicted the Church as the “villain” because the main character sides with The Priory Sions. This didn’t bother me personally, but I could see others not favoring the book because of this aspect which is the core of the story.
I would recommend The Da Vinci Code for anyone is loves a fast-paced novel. It was quite a delight reading it and exploring what trouble Robert Langdon would get himself into in the next chapter. The ending was stale compared to the exciting middle and luring beginning, but still a brilliant book in my list. Below I have linked the book and the rating out of ten. Click Here for the book.
