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The DaVinci Code: Opinions and Critiques-I'm on Pg. 38

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Kathy in Cambridge Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-03 09:29 PM
Original message
The DaVinci Code: Opinions and Critiques-I'm on Pg. 38
Should I finish?

I have three books going at once as usual and this is one of them. I look forward to learning more about Opus Dei and I love all the art references so far. But I already don't like the stilted, unrealistic conversations.

What did everyone think? My dad LOVED it, but he is a big mystery reader, and I'm more of a non-fiction type.

Any opinions would be appreciated-before I settle down with 500 pages-thanks!
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TSIAS Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-03 09:30 PM
Response to Original message
1. I really can't say much
But I work at a library and we can't keep that book on the shelves. We have 10 copies and they are almost always checked out.
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flamingyouth Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-03 09:33 PM
Response to Original message
2. I liked it, but I'm a huge mystery fan as well
All I can say is, you will be surprised by the ending, if you decide to stick it out. If you have an interest in art or history, that might help carry you through.
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nadinbrzezinski Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-03 09:34 PM
Response to Original message
3. Been thinkin of getting the book
not made my mind yet
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greatauntoftriplets Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-03 09:36 PM
Response to Original message
4. I haven't read it yet, but....
someone at work recommended it highly. Have way too many books to read first. LOL.
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maxanne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-03 09:41 PM
Response to Original message
5. I enjoyed it
the art and history research is grand. The conversations get better.
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Kathy in Cambridge Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-03 09:47 PM
Response to Reply #5
6. Thanks
I totally look forward to the history and art. But I thought the conversations thus far seemed stilted like a dime store romance.
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SiobhanClancy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-03 09:48 PM
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7. I found it a bit disappointing..
It's not a bad mystery,as such things go. I'm surprised that so many people who have read this seem to regard it as something more than fiction,and not first rate fiction,either. In particular,I found the characters rather wooden and one-dimensional,especially Sophie. I'm not going into much detail,because I don't want to be a spoiler. The best thing about the book(for me)was a kindling of interest in the historical aspects that are used as part of the story(still trying to be deliberately unclear,so as not to give away the story).I have plenty of time for reading right now,so I don't feel that I've lost any meaningful chunk of my life by reading it,and it has given me some interesting things to research:)
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Kathy in Cambridge Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-03 09:52 PM
Response to Reply #7
8. Thanks, Barbara
I think I'm going to read it, though it's long enough and my attention span is short enough to put it off until the next vacation.
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DifferentStrokes Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-03 10:09 PM
Response to Original message
9. Maybe history buffs would enjoy the links and discussions
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KittyWampus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-03 10:27 PM
Response to Original message
10. If You Want To Learn About Rosicrucianism and Kabbala
How about making up your mind and actually studying it? Of course, you might try it and not like it... but then again, it might be fun and you might be good at it! :)



www.bota.org

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BrotherBuzz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-03 10:43 PM
Response to Original message
11. I read it...
without putting it down. A good read except for the ending that I thought was a little soft or that it lacked something (I wish I knew what was missing, maybe it was just that stilted writing you observed). Other then that, I thought it was a great book that I often think about on my own quest for my holy grail. Keep the knight templers in mind.
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mikita Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-23-03 09:11 AM
Response to Reply #11
20. I agree soft ending...
I thought it was just me -- after all the rave reviews I has heard about it. But I didn't find myself wishing the book would go on and on, as I do with others. I attributed it partially to the fact that it's the first non-political and fiction book I've read since "the coup". Perhaps that has something to do with it?? Reality is so much scarier now. Nonetheless, an easy, fun read. Good to take one's mind off Shrub for a bit.

Mikita
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Richardo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-03 10:53 PM
Response to Original message
12. I had a real problem with this book...great plot, but...(moderate spoiler)
Anyone who knows even a little DaVinci lore will go batshit because the supposed "experts" take many many pages to figure out clues that are staringly obvious.

I do not like to be smarter than the characters, especially if they are purported to be in arcane fields like cryptology and symbolism.

(I did enjoy the exposition on phi, the golden ratio however. That taught me something.)

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WilliamPitt Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-03 11:10 PM
Response to Original message
13. Excellent book
The story line itself is 'eeeeehhhh...' but the little tidbits of data to ponder are wll worth the ride.
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The Blue Flower Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-23-03 12:16 AM
Response to Original message
14. Agree completely with Pitt
but felt the payoff was weak and some of the plot devices became repetitive.
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emad Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-23-03 05:32 AM
Response to Original message
15. As a work of fiction it's ok
Don't know if anyone could actually handle all the unexpurgated facts that sprinkled the seeds of the author's imagination....
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FlashHarry Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-23-03 06:56 AM
Response to Original message
16. Fun, pulpy stuff.
Not particularly well-written, but a page-turner, nonetheless.
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MaineDem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-23-03 08:43 AM
Response to Original message
17. I couldn't put it down
It was my introduction to the whole subject.

I thought the story line was really weak but the topic fascinates me.

I'm reading Brown's "Angels & Demons" now...about the Illuminati. I have this insatiable need to read all I can about this now.

That's what "The DaVinci Code" did for me.
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AGiordino Donating Member (304 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-23-03 08:56 AM
Response to Reply #17
18. You might want to try Umberto Eco's
Foucalt's Pendulum. Numerrous references to the Rosicrucians and Templars. That was my introduction to these groups and their convoluted histories. Great research subject thanks to the availability of information on the internet.
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AGiordino Donating Member (304 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-23-03 09:00 AM
Response to Original message
19. Heck yeah, keep reading
If for little else it will open new avenues of thought into religious history. Sometimes, all is not as it is presented in the now. Other belief systems existed prior to the modern version of Christianity. The Gnostics, for example. And, bear with me here, Anne Rice makes a pretty good presentation of the conversion of paganism to Christianity in Taltos. Only conservatism can cripple an open mind.
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