Martin B Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 The first one and I thought it was awful so didn't bother with the rest. I've also read the hobbit which was better but still not great. The films were bring too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken on a mission Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 There are heaps I have re-read muliple times.... i have a great book exchange I use in Gosport (COAM, do you know it?)./quote] I take it you mean the Stoke Road one? I must admit that I don't use it because I hoard any books I buy and they are too dear as just a second hand book shop. Back to the Da Vinci Code.... To my mind, a good book is one the provokes the reader to further thought and reading. I finished the book in a day and then was hungary for more. I loved the book for this reason but didn't like the way it was written or the fact that so many of the so called facts (bearing in mind his introduction) were incorrect. Having said that I went on to read Baigient & Leigh (them of court case fame) and boy was that heavy going! It all came at the right time for me though because back then I was going through a period of trying to work out if I had a faith or not (I have since determined I'm Humanist). I loved the book because it was so obviously dumbed down and actually provoked me into thinking beyond the book itself, but in terms of writing and content I prefered Angel and Demons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 I'm glad you enjoy your books. I like to keep all of my good books! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 COAM, I was keeping all my books for years but have two 6' by 6' bookcases double stacked with paperbacks, ans dimply no more space! So I periodically go through them and toss all the ones I will not read again in a box and take a trip (or other half does) to Stoke Road. I get maybe 4 new books for 20 old ones - I call that a bargain! Martin, try LOTR again, in a couple of years. The writing is really very good. COAM, I agree about the Da Vinci Code. It is a superb story, with an emphasis on story. sadly it has caused a raft of spin-off, which are NOT as good. Holy Blood, Holy Grail (which I am reading at the moment) is very interesting - non fiction and full of assumes, speculation etc. The Sacred Feminine issues are far more a Pagan thing that a Christian thing, according to my tame hedge witch. Go figure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 I might! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken on a mission Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 I did have a big clear out about 6 months back and have being getting all new (to me at least) books to read because I was stuck in a reading rut. The court case came at a good time because I had already tried selling my Bagient & Leigh books on ebay with no takers. When I relisted, the court case hit the news and I sold them on for more than I bought them for Has anyone read the Bill Clinton autobiography? I thought the bit on Kyoto and climate change was very interesting. It has always annoyed me that USA never bought into it and the book others a reasoned explaination why. I actually found myself agreeing with his sentiments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 23, 2006 Author Share Posted April 23, 2006 Back to the Da Vinci Code.... It all came at the right time for me though because back then I was going through a period of trying to work out if I had a faith or not (I have since determined I'm Humanist). I loved the book because it was so obviously dumbed down and actually provoked me into thinking beyond the book itself, but in terms of writing and content I prefered Angel and Demons. Goodness, that is what happened with me too The Da Vinci Code was a stonking good read and helped me to come to terms with a few things I had been mulling over for several years,faith wise. Never a religious person I too prefer to think of myself as Humanist. Angles & Demons is I think the better book.It is better written & has a more rounded story line. I look forward to the movie of that book too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Angels & Demons is I think the better book.It is better written & has a more rounded story line. I look forward to the movie of that book too [/color] I really enjoyed Angels and Demons, with all the detail about the selection of the new Pope and being set in Rome. I agree that it is the better book, though I enjoyed the DVC when I read it. I too look forward to a film of Angels and Demons, but it might be quite gruesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 23, 2006 Author Share Posted April 23, 2006 I reckon they will tone it down to get a 12 rating. Souldn't really be any worse than an episode of CSI I would like to see Rachel Weisz (spelling) play Vittoria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggle Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 quote] I've read Lord of the Rings more times than I can remember, likewise most F Scott Fitzgerald, especially Gatsby. I like Fantasy, so Terry Goodkind, Robert Jordan and David Eddings all get read, and read, and read... I love David (and Leigh) Eddings, Raymond E Feist and especially Terry Goodkind. These are my favourites and will always choose fantasy over anything else. Enjoyed all of the four Dan Brown books but they became a bit similar after a while and think that reading four in succession was a bit too much and became a bit tedious by the last book. Am currently reading Labyrinth and actually quite enjoying it. I like the "timeslip" aspect as am waiting to see how it all comes together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 I'm sorry Sarah, I didn't mean to be rude. Good for you to read so thoroughly and with such interest. I didn't think you were being rude at all Gina Isn't it hard to get what you mean across in type only That was Ginette, Sarah - I'll pass on your messge though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 23, 2006 Author Share Posted April 23, 2006 D'oh! Yesterday was a VERY confusing day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Let's blame the weather! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken on a mission Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 I have to admit that Labyrinth is on my list of books to read. I think that most people would aslo enjoy Michael Crichton's State of Fear. I read this last year and it was stonking good read that made me look at climate change from a whole new angle. For those of you that haven't read it, go and get it because apart from being one of those very readable, stonking stories that will change the way you think You won't be disappointed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Oh...I've been looking for a good book to pick up too, after all these baby books I'm starting to get sick off. Looking forward to getting stuck into a good read. I'm going to get that one coam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 I have to admit that Labyrinth is on my list of books to read. just read Labyrinth - very poor - I'd take it off your list and scrub the oven instead - much more entertaining. as for Davinci Code - load of old cobblers... meeja hype etc. etc.... Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Hi Phil Hope you had a good week end Even Dan Brown was amaized at the media hype as he kept telling every one "It's just a story, not meant to be taken seriously" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Probably the same reaction was had from the fella who wrote the Bible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 You're probably right.. but Dan Brown will be very happy if the Da Vinci code is being quoted in 1000 years time! Don't misunderstand me - it's a good thriller (I've read better, I've read worse) - but I say it is a load of old cobblers - because of the unintended significance that people have placed on it. Dan Brown has done nothing to address this - because it's in his interest to sell more books. It's an old trick to take bits of things that actually exist/existed and building what-if's on top of them.. so.. (for example) - but please don't get me properly started! The figure of John in Da Vinci's Last Supper looks a little bit effeminate - therefore it must be Mary Magdelen - because Davinci knew something from a secret society (that does/did exist but not in the form the Brown describes... ) so they must have been lovers - because the Gospel of Thomas says so - so she must have had a baby etc. etc... OR... as art historians will confirm... In his Treatise on Painting, Leonardo explains that each figure should be painted according to his station and age. A wise man has certain characteristics, an old woman others, and children others still. (I wonder how Leonardo would have painted each one of us Omleteers!!) A classic type, common to many Renaissance paintings, is the "student." A favored follower, a protégé or disciple, is always portrayed as very youthful, long-haired and clean-shaven; the idea being that he has not yet matured to the point where he must find his own way. Throughout the Renaissance, artists portray St. John in this fashion. He is the "disciple Jesus loved" — the only one who will be at the foot of the cross. He is the ideal student. To the Renaissance artist the only way to show St. John was as a beardless youth, with none of the hard, determined physiognomy of men. The "Last Supper" of Ghirlandaio and Andrea del Castagno show a similarly soft, young John. see here for example... http://www.wga.hu/art/g/ghirland/domenico/4lastsup/3smarco2.jpg where even Jesus looks a bit girly! - maybe that'll be the next Dan Brown "revelation" - Jesus was a girl??? etc... etc... to the nth degree (where "n" is very large!) good-ish thriller - but a load of cobblers! Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 but Dan Brown will be very happy if the Da Vinci code is being quoted in 1000 years time! and very rich too I expect. that made me giggle Phil! Actually, come to think of it Phil....when a Bible is sold, who gets the profit? I imagine a bit would go to the publisher, but what about the copyright? hubby just peeped over shoulder and reckons it's George Bush! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Managing Director Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 : Bring back Shakespeare in all his poetic, melodious, flowing, rhapsodic glory. We went to the CA's parents evening recently and her teacher said in some awe ,'she tells me she's reading Shakespeare' I felt it was only fair to explain that we were talking about the shortened childrens versions of Hamlet etc (they are brilliant by the way) think the poor teacher had visions of precocious 8 year old buried in the complete works Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 You're probably right.. but Dan Brown will be very happy if the Da Vinci code is being quoted in 1000 years time! Phil Only if they get the cryogenics sorted out! Like something from Futurama! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 We went to the CA's parents evening recently and her teacher said in some awe ,'she tells me she's reading Shakespeare' I felt it was only fair to explain that we were talking about the shortened childrens versions of Hamlet etc (they are brilliant by the way) think the poor teacher had visions of precocious 8 year old buried in the complete works whats the details of these books then? I ask 'cos my precocious 6 year old came down one evening after bedtime and caught us watching 'Romeo and Juliet'. She was taken aback by the violence (of course) but interested in the story, as I explained it to her. Be interesting to see one of these childrens versions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 I love books, and have always read voraciously, everything from the Classics, Shakespeare (lumbered my children with Shakespearean names.... he's from Twelfth Night, she's from Cymbeline... poor things ), Chaucer, even Gawain and the Green Knight.... boy that was hard going , to some pretty dreadful chicklit, and some fascinating non-fiction. My favourite type of books though are atlases... I love pouring over a good atlas I've not yet read the DaVinci code, I keep meaning to but not yet got round to it, after some of the hype I'm in 2 minds about whether or not it interests me. Sounds as if I should give it a try. I've just discovered Jodi Picoult... we're not discussing great literature, but in little over 2 days I've read My Sisters Keeper and THe Pact, and loved them both for an easy but thought provoking read. Probably girly literature though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Nothing wrong with that. I am very impressed with the Harry Potters (yes I know its a childrens book), they are great. Having seen narnia, i am going to re-read those too. Readings reading, and good whether its heavy lit or entertaining tosh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
