_The Da Vinci Code_ by Dan Brown

[quasigeostrophy]

Finished today. I haven't read Brown's previous novel featuring Harvard professor Robert Langdon (Angels and Demons), so I don't know if he's fleshed out more in that first appearance, but the biggest criticism I can muster for The Da Vinci Code is that Brown is a little thin on depth of characterization. That is to be expected, probably, from such a fast-paced novel that involves as much puzzle solving as this one (most of the 454 pages takes place within a time span of under 12 hours).

I really liked this book. The premise and type of story are among my favourites. I've read a lot of the reviews and hype, and much of the criticism regarding his distorted or outright false facts, including this one from Crisis Magazine, and I have one thing to say: It's a work of fiction. Get over it. I've always been fascinated with Da Vinci's work, especially his inventions, codes, and I appreciated Brown's nod to one of my favourites (not a plot spoiler, BTW) - that the Mona Lisa may be a feminized self-portrait.

Comments

[supergee.livejournal.com]

Sandra Miesel was an important sf critic in the 70s, mostly writing about Poul Anderson and Gordon Dickson. There aren't nearly as many people in the world as there are supposed to be.