History in a Riddle. Review on The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown

Writing a fiction novel based on history is a very tough act and very few authors have ever managed to blend the two of them beautifully. The rich European history provides the perfect backdrop for many authors to create a story based on the history. Especially the first millennia and till the middle of second millennia Europe’s history has been largely chaotic, wild and one with lots of either glorious or shameful acts in history. One such began at the beginning of the millennia. Jesus Christ lived a life of an ordinary man but had the vision of an extraordinary man. He lived like man, inspired millions to follow him in his faith. However after his death, it took another three centuries for Christianity to develop in the world. The person who gave the right birth to Christianity was Constantine, a wily ruler of Rome who gave rise to the first Vatican Church.

To spread the message of Christ, Vatican needed to display Christ as a God; A divine form of human who came to inspire us. Vatican needed to market Christ as someone made from heavens to save them. The spellbinding success of the Vatican saw to that Christ became the holy God – the only God. The new testament was introduced too to propagate Christianity. Countless accounts of Vatican’s hatred towards Women in early millennia are visible today in the stories of Joan of Arc.; which was itself a ploy by the Vatican to suppress Pagan worship and beliefs. However, Christianity through its smart propaganda policies survived everything to become one of the foremost religion in the world.

What if a book comes along and gives you an entirely different perspective to the whole origin of the Church? The Bible? The New Testament? What if an author decides to blend the alternate theories around Christ with modern day suspense and drama and writes a fiction? What if that fiction is so too real that you start wondering where boundaries of fiction end and fact begins?

You get The Da Vinci Code – An incredible new thriller from a relatively new author – Dan Brown.

''O, DRACONIAN DEVIL

OH, LAME SAINT''

The Da Vinci Code

Can you solve the riddle above? If not read on –

As the name itself suggests the book has a lot to with Leonardo da vinci and Codes. A symbologist Robert Langdon is on a trip to Paris where is to give lectures. His specialty is studying history of the world and he is pretty good at it. He is supposed to meet the curator Jacques Sauniere of the world famous museum Louvre to discuss about something. However Robert Langdon gets a late night call by the police and is summoned to Louvre, only to find the curator dead.

The curator before dying, left upon a riddle (the one above), shredded of his clothes and positioned himself in the famous Vitruvian position – a painting drawn by Da Vinci describing the perfect male. In addition he has a pentacle on his navel, suggesting a deep meaning to Robert Langdon. Enter Sophie Nevau, the curator’s grand-daughter who works with the cryptology department who comes upon the scene to save Robert who is believed to be a conspirator in Curator’s murder.

What Robert Finds out is shocking. Jacques Sauniere the curator was a member of the Priory of Sion, one of the oldest cults in the world, whose origins began right from the death of Christ. The Priory of Sion was once headed by da vinci, Newton, Victor Hugo and such important people in history. From then on begins the wild chase of Sophie and Robert to break the code only to be led to another. One puzzle to another, one clue to another, Sophie and Robert must break every cipher possible to not only save their lives, but something even more important than all this – The Secret.

Don Brown’s Code

Writing such a brilliant book is supremely difficult. Brown’s hard research shows in every page of this book. Right from the brilliant pieces of information that flow as a monologue of Robert / Sophie recalling their lives, the history of Christ that has been intertwined is simply brilliant to say the least. da vinci was a character by himself, but to understand his brilliant paintings and mind took some patience; The book explains many of Da Vinci’s paintings like Madonna of the Rocks, The Monalisa, The Last Supper and the rest; and get ready to get shocked. Add with it, he infuses the Priory of Sion and the controversial prelature to church – Opus Dei (which was in controversy due to their recruiting methods) to create a real page turner.

Several times in the book, I had to stop reading because of the shock and awe value the author offers in terms of information. Several times I had to bring up internet to see what the author writes is true or not. Several times I had to stop and think and amuse myself. However Brown has also written a controversial book. Hardcore religious fanatics are already calling for a ban on this incredible book – lets hope it doesn’t get banned. The story moves at breakneck speed and never once leaves the reader un-hooked. Its very rarely that books keep me glued as much as this did. The codes and riddles (like one above) make the book even more interesting!

Don Brown’s Book

However, the book does come with its small but noticeable share of flaw. Like all modern authors of today’s world have succumbed to writing books for movies, this one too follows the suit. Of course its spellbinding, but one cant help feeling the feeling of watching a movie while reading the book. The codes and puzzles are broken in a short period of time by two brilliant lead characters also seem a little out of the way – but I can assure you, you will not even think of it while reading the book. Its that gripping.

On the other hand, it must be also noted that writing this book must be difficult. What the author presents is what a certain section of historians believe it is true. For us, we need to think wisely and choose. I must say the theories are pretty convincing and given Vatican’s violent and hopelessly political past, the theories may be true as well. After doing research on the internet, its indeed possible that if not all, several theories around Christ may be true after all.

Overall this is simply a brilliant book. For all those who love history and like information in form of fiction, this is simply a MUST-READ! For every person who wants to know about the history of Priory of Sion and its long standing mission with Vatican, you need to pick this book up. For everyone who loves cryptic puzzles and edge of the seat thriller, then too you must pick this up!

Da Suyog Code

The riddle above is the first riddle in the book. I have not included the complete riddle too – but this is the first riddle that sets the book in motion. Did you break it while you read my review? Its all too apparent if you read my review closely.

Let me give you a hint – it’s an Anagram. If you break it, let me know in my comments. If you cannot, what are you doing reading till here – Grab the book!