Crime Fiction Alphabet - Dan Brown

Friday, June 1, 2012


I’m posting on the letter B in the Crime Fiction Alphabet and the idea behind this meme is to write something related to crime fiction that’s based on the letter of the week. This can be an author, the name of a book or something to do with writing crime fiction. The post should be up by the end of each week. See the rules for the Alphabet in Crime Fiction here. This Meme is run by Kerrie at Mysteries in Paradise

Today’s post is about Dan Brown, author of The DaVinci code. By the time I got around to reading this book, I must have been among the very few who hadn’t yet done so. 


I was fascinated not only by the mystery surrounding the Holy Grail and all the symbolism involved, but the way in which Brown wrote the story. The information on supposed codes in Da Vinci’s art was another source of interest.  The book’s pacing is good, moving the reader through tight chapters from various points-of-view. I think Brown is really good to work so much activity into a twenty-four hour period. 

It is clear that the writer did thorough research for this book. Coming out of the publication of the novel, there was a big outcry from the Catholic Church. I believe that it speaks to the talent of a writer when his work can arouse public opinion and create as much of a furor as this book has. 

If there was a downside to the book and the writing, it was the length of the story. After the murderer was caught, there were still other matters left, like the location of secret documents that had been to found, to complete the story. By that time, the relentless chase had tired me out. That aside, I enjoyed following the clues in the Da Vinci Code and will read more of Brown’s work at some point in time. See my review of the Da Vinci Code here.

24 comments:

  1. I haven't read it. How sad is that? However, I know it's a good book and someday, I may get around to it.

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    1. So much to read, Clarissa, in what feels like limited time.

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  2. I enjoyed this book, too. I would have liked a little more character development, but I was so amazed by all the things I kept learning and looking up that I didn't let it bother me.

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    1. Yes, I learned a lot too from reading this book. I guess the excitement that came from the plot pushed everything else into the background.

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  3. My daughter really enjoyed this book, but I haven't picked it up yet. She thought the puzzling it out was well done!

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    1. It's a good read. Make sure you have time to space if and when you get to it.

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  4. J.L.: I enjoyed the Da Vinci Code. I had read The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail some years before so much of the book had a familiar ring. The trial judgment on the case the authors of The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail brought against Brown for literary theft is a fascinating picture of how the Da Vinci Code was written and there is a secret code in the judgment which is extremely unusual for a court judgment.

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    1. Hi, Bill, I haven't read either of the books you mentioned. I hadn't even been aware of the suits brought against Brown, but I must follow up on that. Thanks for mentioning that and for visiting.

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  5. I haven't read Brown yet, but I did see the movie. Sometimes these bestsellers fly off my reading radar.

    Have a great weekend.

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    1. I'll bet the movie was exciting to watch. True that, bestsellers sometimes come and go without me taking an immediate interest.

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  6. I enjoyed this book too. I loved the puzzles and code solving.

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    1. It certainly kept the reading fluid and dragged me further into the mystery.

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  7. I did read this book... it's tight and intense... all packed into the 24 hour time-frame...

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    1. Michelle, intense is a good word to describe this book.

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  8. I think you either love or hate Dan Brown. I'm in the camp full of love! I get completely engrossed in his books and get frustrated that it seems to take him so long to write a new one! It seems to have been forever since his last one was out, I need another Brown fix.

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    1. I have yet to read another of his books. So many books and not enough time.

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  9. I love your very honest review, thank you! I totally got caught in the hype - one of the reasons I went ahead and read it! Take care
    x

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  10. Thanks for dropping in. I'd heard about the book long before I came across it at the library and decided to borrow it.

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  11. I've seen the movie, but I'd like to read the book. I'm sure it would be easier to keep up with all the cool details and things reading it at my pace. I missed some of the action because my mind was still on the last thing they uncovered when they moved on to the next drama. :)

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    1. I much prefer reading to seeing the movie. As you pointed out, more time to absorb crucial details.

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  12. I'm definitely a fan of Dan Brown's work. I find it fascinating, educational and just plain enjoyable. I think I've read all his books to date, and I look forward to his next. :)

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    1. I need to read some more of him. A good book teaches readers something along with providing entertainment.

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  13. Did read the book when it was released (and saw the movie too)
    Even though the movie has done justice to the book, I found that the book was more gripping. Like you said, a lot of research has been done before writing.

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    1. This is one of the big things I enjoy in reading, learning something new while I'm at it, and boy did I learn a lot from this one. Thanks for dropping in!

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Don't be shy, I'd love to hear what you think.