Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)

Every once in a while, there comes a book which rises beyond some black marks on bound rectangular pieces of paper and becomes a phenomenon. The popularity charts have to be redesigned to calibrate the way the book catches popular imagination. Often, this popularity wave is based on real talent and brilliant story-telling; at times on sheer "catching the right public mood at the right time".

Da Vinci Code is such a book. By using a new paragraph and using the word "such", I intend to escape the need to classify Da Vinci Code into one of these two categories, I'll leave that decision on the reader. Consider it a tribute from me when I say that whatever the basis - the book's popularity is rivaled only by Harry Potter in the recent times.

Da Vinci Code is a classic conspiracy theory book. Take an established institution, take a somewhat right-wing arm of that, link it to several well-known names/ institution. The conspiracy theory in question is as bizarre as it gets - that Christ was married, that a secret society exists to guard Christ's bloodline through centuries and that the modern church is intent on destroying that bloodline. Crazy enough to get people interested. Add to that several well-researched truths and half-truths and a few carefully chosen fabrications of imagination and voila, the theory is believable enough to make people turning pages to find out more.

Dan Brown, however, is not a historian. He is a fiction novel writer. That of course is his winning point. He presents us with a story based in present, with characters we can relate to. He hits us with the conspiracy theory not as some obscure history, but as the necessary link between the incidents happening in the story. Its the brilliant combination of well-done research, a good enough story and a very interesting twist to history that makes Da Vinci Code the winner.

Weak points - the ending. Almost an anti-climax. Perhaps there was no better way to do it, but I was expecting something more grand. By the end of the novel, you have the shadow of twenty centuries hanging on your head and right when you are expecting a big bang, all you get a is whimpering sound.

Recommendation - What? You mean you have not read it yet?

Rating - YYY
Rating Guide - Y is good. More the hearts, better.