Overall, this was a great novel – I couldn’t put it down! The story is highly engaging, the characters are intelligent, the pace is quick, and the topic is simply great. Unlike many other pieces of fiction, this book actually makes one think and leads to an interest in related topics. I was rather stunned to learn that the organization call “Opus Dei” actually exists and that its members really engage in some of the bizarre (and rather sick) practices as described in the book. I am still not convinced; however, as to the veracity of the Priory of Sion – there seems to be too much information that indicates that “organization” is just a complete fraud invented by a French charlatan back in the 1950’s. It is rather disturbing that Brown claims this organization is real, even though the information to support its existence is spurious, at best.
Just the same, the Da Vinci Code really captured my attention and I would certainly recommend it – as work of fiction.