What readers think of The Da Vinci Code, plus links to write your own review.

Intrigue, conspiracy and murder are the essential elements of a good mystery and Dan Brown has all of these in his Da Vinci Code thriller. The plot moves at a good pace until about two thirds into the novel. Then it seems to get mired down in detail and explanations that contribute little to the story but set up the reader for what Mr. Brown is going to finally reveal. I don't know how Opus Dei is going to view this book but I would imagine that his references to the organization are specific to a small minority. Some of the deciphering in the early chapters is a masterfull stretch of the cryptanalyst's imagination. Even so, given that this was the fire that lights the flame, Brown follows the fire to a conflagration. In summary, I could never determine whether his sleuths were intelligent, or just plain lucky. All in all, though, a good read.

The Da Vinci Code is a suspenseful and mysterious kind of book. I highly suggest reading it and keeping a copy for yourself.

This was a fantastic read. Was it Chaucer? No. Was it Edgar Allen Poe? Nope. But give me a break, it was a fun book to read. Now about the criticisms I have seen...
I live in South Carolina, pretty near the heart of the Bible Belt. I read a scathing review on the book in the local paper yesterday. At first I was surprised, but then, I realized where I was. If the paper endorsed this book, the majority of its readers would lash against it almost certainly. And then I thought of how the country might react as well, and yeah, surpemely controversial were the words coming to mind.
I do not recommend this book to everyone. If you love chocolate cake with all your heart, and have for all your life, and anyone who might say "Hey, you know, strawberry cake can be just as good" really makes you want to strangle them, then well, this book is not for you. Now if you are more "open", and enjoy hearing another unusual point of view, then get this book right away. I have been a devout Christian all my life, and I loved how this book made me think, period. Some people have said Brown's ideas are unfounded and sorely supported. Unfounded, hmm...And one more thing - I would really like to never see again someone exclaim that they cannot believe good Christians would come on here and say how they enjoyed this book. Firstly, enjoying this book has nothing whatsoever to do with being a good Christian, a good Muslim, a good Hindu, or a giraffe. Secondly, you grossly confuse the word "Christian" as the word "intolerant." If I must be so intolerant or exclusive as to be offended and offset to a rage by a book in the fiction section, then I will gladly choose to be no Christian at all rather than meet [that] definition of the word. I mean come on, I thought witch burnings and inquisitions were outta style by now.
Its about time someone like Brown challenged us all to think more, open our minds. Things arent always about who is right and who's wrong, black and white. An overwhelming majority of the world is not Christian at all. Are they wrong? No, there is no such thing, that is a fruitless argument. Everyone has their own beliefs, and derives something from them. Brown is not trying to crush Christianity, he is simply presenting an argument that is intriguing, controversial, and not usually voiced. More power to him, that took courage.
The story: nothing spectacular, pulp fiction.
Characters: see above
Background (subplot): excellent, loved hearing about the proposed history. Not only religion, but Da Vinci, symbology, past cultures. This is what made the book to me.

The Da Vinci Code is the best book I have ever read. I got chills practically every page!!!

This was a great book, it was full of surprises but it didn't really reveal who the "teacher" was I rate this book 5/5 and i recomend it to anyone above the age of 10.

I very much enjoyed this book. While it was not the most sophisticated writing, I have come across I still found it difficult to put down.

I found the religous content intrigueing. I, however, as a Catholic had no problem with the theory of Jesus and Mary Magdeline, but any strict christians probably would. I thought the theory was interesting and would be even more interesting if it turns out true. I have been given no proof as to either belief, but continue to search for it.

The setting I enjoyed. The art history content was interesting as well.

Overall, I loved this book.

I found The Da Vinci Code to be utterly predictable. I had all the riddles solved miles before any of the wise and well-educated characters did. I am frightened by the opinions of the people who have so highly recommended this book -- that so many people have seemed to accepted this novel as the truth scares me. Simply disappointing.

I don't think I have ever read a book I disliked more. The writing is sophomoric, the use of cliff-hangers and heavy-handed foreshadowing is ludicrous, and the combination of situation and dialogue is hysterically funny, without, of course, intending to be. Characterization is virtually non-existent, but often contradictory. The book makes use of extensive dubious etymology, and frequently presents as facts what, at best, can only be conjectures.

It is a very sad thought that this is a runaway best-seller. It makes one doubt deeply the wisdom of universal literacy.