Imagine if John Grisham had written Foucault's Pendulum from Umberto Eco's notes. What you'd have is eerily similar to The Da Vinci Code. On the Grisham side, it's a potboiler, full of plot twists and uncertain loyalties, as well as tremendously stilted dialogue and wooden descriptions. On the Eco side, you have a conspiracy that spans millenia, filled with mystical and religious symbolism. Together, what you have are two great tastes that taste great together: a ripping yarn with a fascinating backstory.

I was completely caught up in the historical mystery, though I was continually frustrated by Brown's writing craft. Several of the characters are cartoonish, and a few of the plot twists border on absurd. The whole thing reads like a screenplay (it would make a great movie, by the way).

I'm amused by the anger this novel has raised in many Catholics. Unless you buy into the conspiracy theory completely, the book can hardly be considered a criticism of the Catholic church. I'd love to say more, but I don't want to spoil the story for anyone.

The Da Vinci Code is trash, but it's very enjoyable trash.