Hooked on Books discussion

Members Starting the BR: Bernadette, Eunice, and Truitt_T
Book: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown


Anyone is free to join in this Buddy Read! Happy Reading!

Looks like Mr. Langdon is off the Paris, France in this book. And it's much shorter than the last one we read😉

I noticed it was shorter! I probably won't start until tomorrow, but I'm looking forward to it!

I may join you for this one, if you don't mind. I wanted to pick this series back up, but it's been 2 years, so I need to read this one again.

Angie ☯ wrote: "I may join you for this one, if you don't mind. I wanted to pick this series back up, but it's been 2 years, so I need to read this one again."

Please do, Angie! We've talked about reading the entire series (no particular time frame), and it would be great to have you with us.

That would be awesome!! Thank you!

I've gotten through the first 12 chapters. No spoilers here. I'm looking forward to "seeing" some of Paris in this book.

My husband & I got married at the Paris hotel in Las Vegas and had our wedding luncheon at the Eiffel Tower restaurant almost 15 years ago; 12 family members were there with us. We were hoping to celebrate our 15-year anniversary in the REAL Paris this May until we found out the Olympics were in Paris this year. Planning for next year.

Now for the book. We have a crazy religious albino who is a member of Opus Dei. He practices self-flagellation with ropes and barbs - yikes!

I hadn't heard about Opus Dei - their views on women seem medieval. I looked up Opus Dei to find more information about more information about them. They are branch of strict, conservative Catholics that are very secretive.

There is one thing that made me laugh - the Eiffel Tower was described as the national emblem of France that is a thousand-foot phallus - reminded me of the “huge crate of stone penises” mentioned in Angels & Demons😂😂

Bernadette wrote: "I've gotten through the first 12 chapters. No spoilers here. I'm looking forward to "seeing" some of Paris in this book.

My husband & I got married at the Paris hotel in Las Vegas and had our wedd..."

A theme, perhaps? :)

haven't started yet - I'm trying to knock out two others, but I'll be on it nolater than tomorrow.

I've been to Paris once - there was so much to see! Your wedding sounds lovely, and I think you made the right choice on passing this year. As much as I loved watching the Olympics as a kid (and to some extent, still do), I don't want to be in a city that's hosting while they host.

I haven't started either, I will try to start tomorrow, but it may be Sunday...or Monday. It is a re-read for me.

I haven't started either, just finishing my current read first. I'll probably start on Monday or Tuesday cuz it's Chinese New Year today. Got some dinners to go to.

I've read through Chapter 19 and I have to say that at least so far, I don't like this as much as Angels & Demons. On the plus side, though, there's a lot less physics, lol.

(view spoiler)[ I don't love that the 'active' bad guy is albino. I know we're supposed to understand that his horrible treatment as a child set him on the path to Opus Dei, but it feels icky to me. I don't see that Silas' albanism was necessary. And, frankly, it makes very noticiable - what's he going to do throughout the book - kill everyone who sees him?

I'm wondering what Sophie saw her grandfather doing that was so horrible she cut herself off from her only (known) family and refused to listen to his explanations for ten years. I hope it wasn't self-flagellation. Surely that wouldn't be enough to cause that deep a rift.....I guess we'll find out eventually! (hide spoiler)]

I've read through Chapter 35. There is more action happening. And I am learning more about Leonardo Da Vinci.

(view spoiler)[Things don't look good with the note "P.S. Find Robert Langdon".

Sophie is estranged from her grandfather for 10 years. She has unopened letters and packages from him. Could there be some clues there? What did she witness in her grandfather's basement that caused the estrangement? Other than seeing men and women wearing gowns and masks?

I can understand why the Priory of Sion (pro-feminism/women) would be against the beliefs of Opus Dei who are misogynistic.
They would kill a nun! (hide spoiler)]

Tru, we agree on all the points you made.

I also like Angels & Demons better so far. No comment the physics, though! Lol

(view spoiler)[
I didn't understand the need for Silas to be albino and I don't think that childhood treatment is a reason to be a terrible person!

I *think* I remember what Sophie saw but at this point don't trust that my recollection is correct and I won't mention it in case you haven't gotten there yet!. (hide spoiler)]

I'm not as far as you are yet, Bernadette. I'll read your comment when I do.

Angie, this is a re-read for me as well. I read it 12 years ago, but I've read a lot of books since then - it's not coming back to me like I thought it would.

It's hard for me to believe that I've never read The Da Vinci Code - I kept thinking that as I continued I'd realize I'd read it before, but I truly haven't. I did see the movie, I think - but don't remember much except the big secret. :)

I've now read through Chapter 62.

(view spoiler)[ Yeah, I'm still not happy with Silas. His backstory and issues leading his being used by those brighter than he isn't working for me.

I've figured out what Sophie must have seen - it became quite obivous as I got further into the book, although it hasn't been completely revealed yet.

Langdon feels much more passive in this book than he did in Angels & Demons. And even though there is a constant barrage of new information and frentic activity in both books, I thought the character development was superior in the first.

I've felt from almost the beginning that Fache is Opus Dei. It really doesn't make sense to me that he would be so instantly and completely convinced of Langdon's guilt, unless he was looking for a scapegoat on whom to throw suspicion. I could be wrong, of course - he could just be looking for the eariest target. I need to keep reading! (hide spoiler)]

So I've read just a bit more (through Chapter 65) - and I have a few thoughts.

(view spoiler)[ I haven't given much thought as to who the Teacher might be. Most authors play fair and don't introduce the villain / murderer / bad guy or gal in the last chapter - it's usually someone you've met. Could it be Fache? I doubt it's Sir Leigh, but it's not as though we've been introduced to that many possibilities. I'm ruling out the guy from the bank - not smart or ruthless enough.

Back to reading. I'm going to have to speed up if I'm going to finish tonight.... (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 54....so I haven't read Tru's post yet.

(view spoiler)[I agree with the albino discussion. It's interesting that the Cardinal was trying to make Silas feel better by telling him that Noah was an albino and he saved the entire planet.

We got some more past history about the Priory. What was the powerful secret? Why would the Church documents about the secret? We aren't told if they were ever found ages ago, but that the Knights Templar were made rich & powerful protecting the documents/secrets.

There is a connection to the Holy Grail, which is not just a chalice - but what is it?

I still don't know what Sophie saw in her grandfather's basement 10 years ago.

Did the Cardinal get money from the Vatican in exchange for the documents he thinks Silas found? No exchange seems to be taking place. But he doesn't know they haven't found yet.

I seem to get more questions than answers as read this. (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 74 - I saw this coming.

(view spoiler)[ I had a very strong feeling that I was going to be really annoyed with Sophie if her estrangement with her grandfather was the result of her witnessing part of a sex rite. Are we really supposed to believe that Sauniere raised his granddaughter to be so conservative that she ignores her only family, her beloved grandfather for ten years? If Sauniere hoped she'd one day be the keeper of secrets and possibly head of the organization, surely he would have raised her with a somewhat more liberal attitude about sex? Sorry, Dan Brown, but I don't buy it. (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 87....

(view spoiler)[ I've changed my mind - I am highly suspicious of Sir Leigh. I still believe Fache is Opus Dei (well, probably), but I think the true mastermind is the ever so helpful Sir Leigh. Obession..... (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 97......

And now I'm not sure again, lol.

Finished but my comments are through Chapter 98... and I will respond to some of Tru's comments. I don't want to give anything away.

(view spoiler)[I had a feeling that Sophie must have witnessed a sexual ritual and that was the case. Langdon does give her an explanation though. I agree when he says that the Church has shamed us about feelings about sex by making it disgusting and sinful.

The Holy Grail - Jesus was married to Mary Magdelene; and they had a child. I think I have heard this as a possibility before and it really does make sense. The Priory's job is to protect to family of Jesus.

Ch 85 - "you seek the orb that ought to be on his tomb" - why did I think it could be a missing eye.😂😮🤣

I thought was Fache was involved somehow - Opus Dei maybe? Sir Leigh - hmmm?

Oh, Remy, et tu?? But it will become clear why. 💲💸💸

The Vatican is going to separate from Opus Dei - why? Because they are crazy zealots! (hide spoiler)]

I don't remember as much of this as I should, or normally do!!

(view spoiler)[
I did remember what Sophie witnessed and I agree with the comments about the church shaming us about feelings toward sex.

And I also remembered about the Holy Grail's traditional and "true" meaning. I feel like it makes much more sense that it is not a physical object, but a symbol of the bloodline of Jesus.

I did not remember the section about Jesus being married to Mary Magdelene. But with the Priory's job being to protect the family of Jesus, it does make sense that he had to have a family and child. And protecting the family of Jesus would also mean protecting his bloodline.... (hide spoiler)]

I'm finished, and am questioning if I actually saw the movie or just famous clips of it. I definitely did not read the book before this!

I definitely didn't like the book as much as Angels & Demons - that was pretty consistant for me throughout. Brown did keep me guessing (as you can tell from my prior posts), which was good, but I truly didn't care all that much. Perhaps I wasn't in the right mood to appreciate it. Why knows?

I've not seen the movie. Wondering if I should....

I didn't like it as much as the first book either. I didn't dislike this one, but I didn't really care all that much either, but thought it was because it was a re-read!

Even knowing that I read it before and knowing some of the mystery points, I still was guessing at what I thought would happen!

I'm glad that I reread this one, I'd never have remembered the important parts. I wonder if they next books picks up where this one ended. I thought the ending was a bit much.

(view spoiler)[I don't think that they would have been able to keep the that secret for so many years!! (the grandmother and brother being alive)....plus the bloodline, although I think that was predictable. (hide spoiler)]

If you ladies are going to read the other books in the series, let me know when you start - if you do buddy reads and don't mind if I tag along! I'll try to keep up with you in my reading! :-)

I've barely started, but hopefully, I finish by this weekend.

Angie ☯ wrote: "Tru, we agree on all the points you made.

I also like Angels & Demons better so far. No comment the physics, though! Lol


I didn't understand the need for Silas to be albino and I don'..."

As a science person, the science in Angels & Demons really detract from the story for me. Thankfully, there was a lot less physics toward the end of the book. Allowed me to forget how much I disliked the first part

I am planning on reading the next book - The Lost Symbol. We can decide on timing. There seems to be no wait on that book.

I just finished the book yesterday. It's been a busy month. Where did February go???

Truitt_T wrote: "I've read through Chapter 19 and I have to say that at least so far, I don't like this as much as Angels & Demons. On the plus side, though, there's a lot less physics, lol.

I don't lo..."

I feel like Silas(view spoiler)[ was meant to represent something like being a white angel of God vs the outdated perception that different = bad/demonic, as the book mentions. Or something of the sort, IDK. But I do agree that it gives off the wrong impression when the bad guy represents a group of people who are already often discriminated against in real life.

But by around Chapter 68, I feel that Silas isn't really a bad person, just misguided by fanaticism in religion and especially the Teacher. He has great respect for the bishop who saved him and what he stands for, and he thinks that the Teacher is on the same side as them. Though, it just seems like the Teacher is stringing them both along on his schemes. Got them to agree to his whims because the bishop is in some sort of disadvantaged position that had not been explained yet at the time. Of course, this doesn't excuse his actions at all, but I'm starting to feel bad for Silas and Aringosa. (hide spoiler)]

Bernadette wrote: "I've read through Chapter 35. There is more action happening. And I am learning more about Leonardo Da Vinci.

Things don't look good with the note "P.S. Find Robert Langdon".

Sophie is estranged ..."

For most of the book, I was guessing some sort of freaky cult behavior since Sophie mentioned a group of people in a circle surrounding something, probably him doing something strange.

(view spoiler)[I would say that them killing a nun isn't because of their misogyny but because they are irrational religious fanatics who are basically acting like they are reviving the Crusade. "Kill all those who stand in their way because they must be heretics if they don't understand why they're doing this." (hide spoiler)]

I feel that the general theme of this book is a continuation of the previous book. You have an enlightened side vs the irrational religious fanatic side.

Truitt_T wrote: "Through Chapter 74 - I saw this coming.

[spoilers removed]"

Now that you mention it, you raise a great point. She was already a young adult when she saw what she saw. The first time I read this, I was too absorbed in the mystery of the Teacher and the chase that I didn't give much thought to the logic holes in the story.

Bernadette wrote: "Finished but my comments are through Chapter 98... and I will respond to some of Tru's comments. I don't want to give anything away.

I had a feeling that Sophie must have witnessed a sexual ritual..."

(view spoiler)[And we also find out that Fache is simply a phenomenal IDIOT (yes, it needs to be spelled in capital letters) who tunnel-visioned so hard that he probably couldn't even see his own two feet. He wasted so many police resources on a highly publicized goose chase.

This is probably what I disliked the most from my read this time around, now that I'm not in anticipation to find out the identity of the Teacher because I still remember who he is. Perhaps Brown was initially cooking up something with Fache when he introduced him as a devoted Christian or Catholic but eventually decided not to. Or maybe Brown just did that to make Fache the red herring. Either way, his evidence on Langdon for the Sauniere murder may be skeptically justified, but what's the deal with him pinning the other three murders on Langdon just like that just because of a supposed similarity in the killing method? Makes absolutely no sense. (hide spoiler)]

Eunice wrote: "Bernadette wrote: "I've read through Chapter 35. There is more action happening. And I am learning more about Leonardo Da Vinci.

Things don't look good with the note "P.S. Find Robert Langdon".

S..."

Eunice - I had the same thought about it being a cult.

Excellent point about the theme. I wonder if it will continue in the next book?

I've read that book a few years ago. I just remember the next book being about the Masons and the Illuminati

I also was picturing a cult the first time I read this!

I haven't read any of the others, so it will be interesting to see if they theme continues.

Ladies, are we up for the next one? The Lost Symbol I have never read this one.

I'm game whenever everyone wants to start!

I’m not absolutely certain I want to read the next one, but I’ll give it a try.

I’m probably looking at Sunday or Monday before I could start, but we’ve done pretty well starting at different times!

Actually, Sunday / Monday or next week probably will work better for me, but like Truitt said, we did okay starting at different times.

I this one will decide whether I read any more of the series or not....

Wonder if we need a new IBR thread?

I can start relatively soon. We have done OK reading at different times though.

We will need a new thread.

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