Meryl's Notes Blog

Apparently, I am the fifth person who hasn’t read the Da Vinci Code. It’s not because I don’t want to, but rather because I don’t have time. My book reading time is devoted to non-fiction and fiction books that I’ve been asked to review. In Language Log: The Dan Brown code, Geoffrey Pullum tears apart the code as only a professor of linguistics could.

I talked to my mom and a co-worker who have read the book. They spoke highly of it. Mom says:

I do agree that he isn’t the best writer. Pretty heavy-handed, but still think the story moves, is clever and interesting. I like the codes and puzzles, etc. Of course, it’s all way beyond belief as all of his [Brown] books are - things happen too fast for one thing. In Angels and Demons, a whole novel takes place in just a day or two. I think they’re good for fun reading.

At Amazon, Angels has 813 reviews receiving four stars while Code has 3000 reviews receiving 3 1/2 stars. The professor makes valid points, but the average reader of fiction doesn’t nitpick over details he mentions.

This book is not a doctoral thesis or up for a literary award. In thinking about his criticism of the book, it’s fine to share an opinion and explain why he didn’t like the book. It’s the approach he takes that doesn’t give it the same merit as a NY Times reviewer. [ Link Cox ]