(8/09) I started reading on the train this morning. Can it really live up to the incredible hype? Well, the first few chapters set off at a cracking pace...I don't normally read typical lad-lit, but I think i'm gonna enjoy this

(17/09) Review to follow

(21/09) ...no Dan Brown wasn’t able to maintain the pace, but then I think he set off a bit too quickly. The famous opening in the Lourve, that has spawned a thousand American literary tourists (it will make a great film btw), is almost the high point off the novel. Maybe he’s taken his lead from the Bond/Mission Impossible technique of grabbing your attention in the opening scenes, with the subsequent inevitable dropping-off of pace?

Anyway, once hooked, its difficult not to be dragged along by the plot, even though some of it is far-fetched; a criticism that can only be levelled at DB because he constructs the whole thing as a viable fictionalised account of a 2000 year-old conspiracy. As a confirmed unbeliever (i’m not sure if i’m an atheist or an agnostic, a distinction strangely not discussed during school RE lessons?), i’m not sure that the Holy Grail/’Sangreal’ revelations are particularly shocking in a cynical & secular C21st western Europe. The final pages, which bring to a conclusion the location of the former, and the lineage of the latter were a little disappointing (back to the fact/fiction dilemma I think?) This is a great story though, the symbology is interesting – if not totally convincing – and the history & religion is fascinating.

Religious and - probably - heretical footnote: DB makes the point that being a devout Christian does not infer total literal belief in the New Testament and the gospels (as prescribed – read the book!) The problem seems to be the churches & mankind, taking the goodness (God-ness?) & teachings of Jesus the prophet and wrapping an industry around it – the myth, the miracles, the manipulation. If it all happened today, if would be produced by Hollywood, special effects by George Lucas (Industrial Light and Magi!!), spin by the White House/Downing Street, world-wide distribution rights owned by Rupert Murdoch!

RELEASE NOTES:

To be included in Miss Scarlett or Col Mustard...??

Taken from Miss Scarlett bookbox. I've heard so much about this book but was too stingey to pay for my own copy- especially knowing it was bound to find its way to me through BXing one way or another!! time to see if its all its cracked up to be......

I loved this book, really can't recommend it enough- it's so much fun!! Well written( ahem), fast paced, fantastically descriptive and totally, totally absorbing. An action packed thriller where every chapter ends with a cliff hanger, most definately not to be taken seriously though the references to art and symbolism are very interesting. The whole thing seems to take place over a few hours with age-old mysteries that have stumped mankind for centuries solved within minutes once in the hands of our hero, a bit silly at times, but it certainly makes for a fantastic and very enjoyable read.

Sending on to Anfield. Enjoy!!

Received safely by post, thank you!