Recently I have completed the novel, “The Davinci Code” this novel shows a lot of backstabbing. But in most cases that is common or a common theme in some series or novels. “The Da vinci Code”  is by Dan Brown, the bestselling author of “Digital Fortress”, “Angels & Demons”,  “Deception Point”, “The Last Symbol” and “Origin”. Dan Brown’s novels are published in 56 languages around the world with over 200 million copies in print. In 2005, Brown was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, by TIME magazine.

 

In “The Da vinci Code” Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu find themselves matching wits with a faceless powerbroker who appears to anticipate their every move. Unless they can decipher the labyrinthine puzzle, the Priory’s secret — and an explosive ancient truth — will be lost forever. Framed with murder Langdon and Neveu flee with secret information from Neveu’s grandpa who was murdered. With puzzles to solve and backstabbing coming around every corner, Robert and Sophie have to go to the devil and back.

 

I read this book in a puzzling manor. Even when I was reading this book I really wanted to understand the theory of the Holy Grail being a person, and that person being the companion of Jesus Christ. Even Teabing, a character from “The Da vinci Code”  even believed so and when I say believed…

 

“Hold on,” Sophie said. “You told the Holy Grail is a woman. The Last Supper is a  painting of thirteen man.”

 

“Is it?” Teabing arched his eyebrows. “Take a closer look.”

 

“Oh?” Teabing said. “How about the one seated in the place of honor, at the right hand of Jesus?”

 

“That’s a woman!” Sophie exclaimed.  (pg 243)

 

It seems that after eventor idea is explained, I want to see if it’s true. Just like any other curious person would do. After I heard about his belief I looked at The last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci and sure enough there was a woman sitting by Jesus’ side. As some believe, her name is Mary Magdalene. The one who carries the golden bloodline. Yes, confusing ina way because those who believe in Christianity may find this “unbelievable” or an conspiracy. I believe that this is another belief that some see or believe it as truth.

 

I didn’t agree with how the ending went down. Spoiler coming so if you want to read this book don’t read this paragraph! The ending wasn’t what I expected it to be, even though books don’t make expecting endings. The ending was soft or it needed a little bit more to it. Almost how when your cupcake needs more frosting or when you really need a bookmark. The ending went down on how Langdon found the place where Mary lies but then the eneded just stopped or the book just stopped. I really wished it had a different ending.

 

“Adorned in master’s loving art, She lies.”

 

Alive with wonder, he started once again downward through the glass at a tiny structure below.

“I must go down there!”

 

Like the murmurs of spirits in the darkness, forgotten words echoed.

The quest for the Holy Grail is the quest to kneel before the bones of Mary Magdalene. A journey to pray at the feet of the outcast one.

 

“For a moment, he thought he heard a woman’s voice… the wisdom of the ages… whispering up from the chasms of the earth.”  (pg 454)

 

This ending to me is really,  outlandish and instantaneous. This ending angers me because it feels like this book being so amazingly great should have more of a cliffhanger ending or a big bang!  This ending that was used feels like a happy go lucky ending. Even though this is my opinion on this topic, that ending disrupts the flow that was given in the book.

 

I liked the way the author had so much backstabbing. This sounds like a really weird comment but with this book having a theme that I have no clue about makes the backstabbing like a regular part of the book or just a regular scene. It happens so much that sometimes you don’t expect it but that’s just uncommon. Some characters in the book the you wouldn’t expect to be a murder or a backstabber usually are, and in some book that’s what you have to watch out for.

 

I was struck by this passage,

 

“1.618”

 

“Did you know that is you divide the number of female bees by the number of male bees in any beehive in the world you always get the same number?”

 

“You do?”

 

“Yup. PHI.” (pg 93 – 94)

 

This passage shows theories and ideas about Dan Brown’s writing. This book holds the most beautiful number, PHI or 1.618. It’s a number in art and the number of a cephalopod mollusk’s ratio of its spirals diameter to the next one. It’s really amazing how Brown can put this into his writing.

 

This book opened up a lot of theory’s to my eyes and I read this book because one of my friends really loved this book and I thought about reading it too. I would rate this book a 9 out of 10 because the ending broke the books level of concept and craft.

 

Signing off,

Elisabeth Berg