Title: The Da Vinci Code
Author: Dan Brown
Publisher: Random House Audio
Narrator: Paul Michael
Duration: 17 hours 4 minutes
Copyright: 2003
Genres: action, mystery, suspense
Filed in: Audiobook reviews
Review copy provided by Carrollton Public Library.
THE GIST: “The Da Vinci Code”opens with the murder of Jacques Saunier, the curator of Paris’ Louvre museum. Before he dies, Jacques leaves several clues written in his own blood. “PS, find Robert Langdon”. The French Judicial Police believe that Jacques’ final act was to identify his murderer, but in reality it was a message to his estranged grand-daughter, Sophie Neveu, who Jacques always called Princess Sophie. It is critical that Sophie learn the truth about her grandfather’s murder, and about her own family before it is too late.
At her grandfather’s instruction, Sophie enlists the aid of noted symbologist Robert Langdon, who is obviously the prime suspect in Jacques’ murder.
Together, Robert and Sophie begin to unravel the mystery. They learn that Jacques was not only a notable French citizen, but also the grand master in a very ancient secret society called the Priory of Sion. As events unfold they learn that, for thousands of years, the Priory of Sion has been responsible for guarding the location of none other than the Holy Grail. Oh yeah, and also the royal bloodline of Jesus Christ himself.
Robert and Sophie follow Jacques’ clues one by one, racing against time, the French Judicial Police, and a crazed religious assassin, until at last Sophie discovers that she has a much larger role to play than she could ever have imagined. Princess Sophie indeed!
MY THOUGHTS: Okay, everybody has heard of this one, right? “The Da Vinci Code” created quite a stir a few years ago. Dan Brown makes some pretty bold statements about Jesus and the Christian church, but I think some people forget that this audio book is a work of fiction and nothing more.
The first time I listened to this audio book, I found Brown’s story intriguing and compelling. But it seems that each subsequent listening reveals more elements that just don’t make sense.
For instance, much of “The Da Vinci Code” revolves around Da Vinci’s painting “The Last Supper”. Brown asserts that because each person seated at the table is pictured with a cup of his own, there really is no true Cup of Christ. Also because the person to Jesus’ right is depicted as a woman, this means that Jesus had a wife. The arguments are pretty thin. This is, after all, a painting and not a photograph. Also, it’s not like Da Vinci was AT the last supper sketching it as it happened.
On the technical side,Dan Brown is a decent story-teller. The pacing of “The Da Vinci Code” is good, there are some good action scenes, and also moments of suspense that will keep you turning pages. If you’re not the type to nit-pick over details you’ll probably enjoy this audio book.
NARRATOR: As far as narrator Paul Michael goes, I find no fault. His reading was not as inspired as some I’ve heard, but not as dull as others either. He does pretty decent French accents for the French characters, although I didn’t like his British accent for the character of Leigh Teabing. Overall, not a bad job.
FINAL WORD: I would probably recommend “The Da Vinci Code”to a friend, just don’t take it too seriously.
FILM ADAPTATION: “The Da Vinci Code” was adapted to film in 2006 by director Ron Howard. Tom Hanks played the part of Robert Langdon, Audrey Tautou as Sophie Nevou, and Sir Ian McKellan as Leigh Teabing.
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If you liked this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get the "Da Vinci Code" from Amazon.com
Interested in the movie?
Get "The Da Vinci Code" (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition) from Amazon.com.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
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Good job.Fair review.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't a bad book, but since I read "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" many years ago, I understood the reason behind the plagiarism suit against Brown.
ReplyDeleteReading more of Brown's work - fiction or no - shows his antagonism to the Christians in general, and the Catholic Church in particular. I was always aware of that while reading this novel.
Thanks for the insight Benning, I'll have to look for his earlier book.
ReplyDeleteHoly Blood - Holy Grail was written by other fellows, purporting to prove that Christ had a child by Mary Magdalene whose descendant lives in France today. Interesting, as speculation, but nonsense. Lots of leaps of imagination and guess-work.
ReplyDeleteBut enjoyable to read! LOL