REVIEW | The da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

The da Vinci Code

Dan Brown

Genre: mystery, detective fiction, conspiracy fiction, thriller

First published: 2003

Pages: 590

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis
An ingenious code hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci. A desperate race through the cathedrals and castles of Europe. An astonishing truth concealed for centuries... unveiled at last. While in Paris, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is awakened by a phone call in the dead of the night. The elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum, his body covered in baffling symbols. As Langdon and gifted French cryptologist Sophie Neveu sort through the bizarre riddles, they are stunned to discover a trail of clues hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci—clues visible for all to see and yet ingeniously disguised by the painter.

Even more startling, the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion—a secret society whose members included Sir Isaac Newton, Victor Hugo, and Da Vinci—and he guarded a breathtaking historical secret. Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine puzzle—while avoiding the faceless adversary who shadows their every move—the explosive, ancient truth will be lost forever.

Since I’ve read and loved Brown’s “Inferno”, I was really excited to read the Da Vinci Code to see if it lives up to my expectations. It did. In fact, it surpassed them. Brown had me at the first word and I simply couldn’t put the book down! Words cannot describe how incredibly written this book is and how enjoyable it was for me.

Reading the Da Vinci Code, I’ve learnt so many things. I couldn’t shut up about it for days. I was overwhelmed by all the conspiracies and facts and I was throwing it all in the faces of everyone who didn’t hide from me. This book enlightens us not only on the topic of art but also on Christianity. It’s delightfully researched. Brown is able to convey so much information without the book being boring and textbook-like. The pace doesn’t lag because of it. He brings up all the facts through dialogues or retrospective stories, and each and every new information brings the storyline further. The delivery of those facts, although sometimes really detailed (which, in my humble opinion, is a positive thing), is still simple enough for everyone to read and understand.

Brown is a master of keeping you on the edge of your seat the whole time. Cliffhanger could be his middlename. Every time you think you figure out the plot, he assures you that you, in fact, do not know anything at all. Every time you think you'll finally find out the informaton you've been longing to find out for the past five chapters, Brown cuts the chapter and you just have to read another, and another. And it's amazing.

And Robert Langdon? Robert Langdon is a brilliant character. Brown’s writing is so good that Langdon feels as real a character as if he were an actual living, breathing person. He’s funny. He’s pretty smart. He’s flawed. He’s afraid of things (like come on, he’s claustrophobic). He owns a Mickey Mouse watch and wears it to remind himself to stay young at heart. I mean, how could you not love that man?

This book is simply one of the best things that I’ve happened to read so far. I recommend it to everyone who likes history, art and mystery. Everyone, who is a slut for conspiracies and loves the #feels. Just read the book, that's it.