It’s really just an okay mystery novel. It reminds me of the movie that just came out, National Treasure (although if I’m not mistaken this book came first). I guess I can see why this book receieved so much attention – it makes some controversial assumptions – but at the basic level it’s a very ordinary, less-than-brilliant action/adventure/mystery novel. If the movie is well done it may be better than the book, which already reads like a film. The characters are pretty much one-dimension, and some of the “surprises” are groaners that feel like a desperate author’s ploy to keep the reader’s attention. It definitely does that (I sat down and read it in one day) but nonetheless, I don’t think The DaVinci Code will make it into the ranks of great literature. It’s an entertaining read but a mediocre example of the art. I’m really sort of disappointed. Maybe I’ll read some of the “replies” to the information presented here, if I can find a good unbiased version, and at least learn something from it.