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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
Good story, but poorly written. It was actually annoying at times, but at least it was a fast read. The crazy albino guy was super scary.
This is literally the worst book I've ever read. I’m mostly angry about how Dan Brown’s book heavily centers around the “sacred feminine” and yet his titular female character exists primarily to excite the desires of his male protagonist and as a tool through which said protagonist can explain the mountains of background information in history that you need to understand this book
I’m even more mad that it’s constantly referenced that as a code breaker she “should” know how to break these codes, but no Robert Langdon has to come to the rescue and explain it to her because obviously her weak feminine mind can’t handle it otherwise. The whole story is written in a way that the female character is consistently subjugated by her male counterparts as a plot device but no one is ever held accountable for it. And this comes from a book where justice, and just desserts, are big themes! The people who kill in this book, the people who steal, the people who scheme and plot? They get theirs. There’s no acknowledgement that Langdon and Teabing shouldn’t be sexually harassing and belittling Sophie, it drives the plot forward and fuels Brown’s lazy writing.
And it becomes abundantly more obvious when things happen outside of character plot and action to just character description, character depth, scene description (including a memorable and infuriating transmisogynistic bit and consistent reductions of women to their genitalia), verbal description (Sophie never just speaks like Langdon does, her voice has to “quaver”), and the way Sophie’s character arc consistently paints her as a lost little girl unable to persist without the menz helping her. And it’s just infuriating that this comes from a book that is supposed to be about the power of women in religion. It’s a slap in a face.
Also I’m mad uncomfortable with the implication that Sophie (previously mentioned leading lady) is completely ignorant towards the sexual practices of early-Christianity and Pagan religions and has to be taught by the older, more “experienced” male characters who also refer to her as a “virgin” in the field.
I’m mad uncomfortable that when she expresses her discomfort, they keep plowing ahead with the conversation anyway.
Not to mention the ableism. The two bad guys of the book are an assassin with albinism and a man on crutches and there are no disabled people among the "good" guys. They get to be perfectly attractive (in a totally-non-conventional bookish way) and ugh I hate this book so much 0/10 do not read.
I’m even more mad that it’s constantly referenced that as a code breaker she “should” know how to break these codes, but no Robert Langdon has to come to the rescue and explain it to her because obviously her weak feminine mind can’t handle it otherwise. The whole story is written in a way that the female character is consistently subjugated by her male counterparts as a plot device but no one is ever held accountable for it. And this comes from a book where justice, and just desserts, are big themes! The people who kill in this book, the people who steal, the people who scheme and plot? They get theirs. There’s no acknowledgement that Langdon and Teabing shouldn’t be sexually harassing and belittling Sophie, it drives the plot forward and fuels Brown’s lazy writing.
And it becomes abundantly more obvious when things happen outside of character plot and action to just character description, character depth, scene description (including a memorable and infuriating transmisogynistic bit and consistent reductions of women to their genitalia), verbal description (Sophie never just speaks like Langdon does, her voice has to “quaver”), and the way Sophie’s character arc consistently paints her as a lost little girl unable to persist without the menz helping her. And it’s just infuriating that this comes from a book that is supposed to be about the power of women in religion. It’s a slap in a face.
Also I’m mad uncomfortable with the implication that Sophie (previously mentioned leading lady) is completely ignorant towards the sexual practices of early-Christianity and Pagan religions and has to be taught by the older, more “experienced” male characters who also refer to her as a “virgin” in the field.
I’m mad uncomfortable that when she expresses her discomfort, they keep plowing ahead with the conversation anyway.
Not to mention the ableism. The two bad guys of the book are an assassin with albinism and a man on crutches and there are no disabled people among the "good" guys. They get to be perfectly attractive (in a totally-non-conventional bookish way) and ugh I hate this book so much 0/10 do not read.
Meh. I've read better, but it was easy to pick up and put down when needed.
I admit, I did read it all in one sitting. I liked the puzzle, but not the chase.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I love action movies and thrillers. Why am I mentioning this now? Because that's what this book reminds me of: a fast-paced, I-can't-wait-to-see-what-happens-next-thriller that I can't pull my eyes away from but when it's over, I move on with life and never really think about it again. I did enjoy the controversy (what can I say? I love controversies), but as a lover of art history, I can't consciously give this anymore than two stars.
I did not like this one as much as the first book. I understand why church leaders are not a fan of this book but I just read it as a work of fiction. This one, besides being as ridiculous as the first as far as the story line goes, had too much talking and not enough stuff happening. I mean they are running from the police and they would have long moments of reminiscing or explaining. And they never seem to eat or go to the bathroom.
4 1/2 stars! Real page turner, but a bit disappointed in ending
My father bought and read this book long, long before all the hype. When I started hearing about it ad nauseam I asked him for his opinion. He had to think for a minute. "Oh, that one, " he said and shrugged. "It was okay." That was exactly it. It was okay, a book you read when you don't want to have to think very much. Sort of silly and not especially well written. I have no idea why it got so much attention. (but don't make me even think about the movie)
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was a bit tense to read