Jul 31, 2004 12:18 PM
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(Updated Jul 31, 2004 12:18 PM)
I must confess I picked up this book with no foreknowledge of it. However, once into two chapters, the pages picked up a life of their own and compelled me to turn them faster.
An exhilarating chase is what the book is about. Dan Brown proves himself an accomplished writer who knows how to twist and turn the plot and still keep the author not the reader in the driver's seat.
A harvard symbologist is brought in to understand the cryptic symbols on the body of a man murdered in the Louvre. What begins as a fascination with the codes, turns into a run for survival once he understands that he is being accused of the murder. Now, with only a French policewoman on his side, he must uncover the clues and reach the final goal before their faceless enemy does and causes the biggest scandel in christian history.
The story has fascinating roots in religion, art and world history. Brown shows that he is a brilliant researcher and has done his homework on all fronts. The book starts with a one page statement of all the facts incoporated in the book. He piques your curiosity easily and keeps you involved till the last page, that is the hallmark of any good thriller writer.
Leonardo Da Vinci is his muse and it is apparent. Da Vinci's works have always been the focus of controversy and mystery. Both the aspects are expertly dealt with as he discusses the symbolism behind Da Vinci's art with the reader as pateintly and as animatedly as a professor to his class. The book involves not only readers looking for nuggets of information (there are so many of those and all fascinating!) but also readers who love the thrill of clues and codes. Code breaking is a fascinating and stimulating pastime in any circ. and Brown uses his own fascination with codes to his benefit.
The plot deals with controversial topics and gives alternate explanations to many events in the christian religion. Jesus Christ and his life is artfully tackled without rankling too many people. His theories make readers sit up and think, and I was so interested that I immediately read all I could about symbolism in Da Vinci paintings.
On the flipside, Brown has not accomplished too much with the story. The last chapters are testamnet to his wanting to steer away from controversy. The result is that he seems to just fudge up the last chapters in order to hurridly tie the loose ends up. He does not achieve too much with the mystery in the book, and his twists and turns are no match to those of the kind of grand masters like Forsythe and Ludlum.
All in all a good read and a great place to start your fascination with art history.
