Discussion
Topic: The Da Vinci Code
So... I found this book likewise and it sounds really good, just wondering what everyone else thought of it and what you would say the age level is.
Kari Bauer
in
Historical Fiction Lounge
8 comments
Mary Sexton I read this years ago when it was first published and I remember enjoying it. It takes place in Europe and I liked reading about all the different historical places that I've never been to. I'd say the age level is high school age and up. Give it a try... I bet you'll like it!
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Kari Bauer Why would you say it's high school and up? Any particular reason?
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Ebru @max_edge Yeah, semi-remember this, kinda forgot it was there 😅 (they also included it in the movie but without the whole theology part, which, now that I'm thinking about it, is kinda weird). @kari_bauer it's a sex scene, so very much up to you if you read the book or not, but if you do I believe you can technically skip that particular scene/description if necessary. Some theology ... stuff around said moment, but you probably will be fine if you skip some and don't get everything. (It's been several years for me, so pinch of salt.)
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Brian strong I thought it was quite good. Agree with high school and up
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Sarah Ortinau My little art history heart was upset with the inaccuracies…..
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Kari Bauer Inaccuracies?
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Sarah Ortinau One of the big plot points is that in The Last Supper, Da Vinci didn’t paint twelve disciples, but instead 11 men and Mary Magdolin. This has been disproven by a lot of historians, that it is in fact John the Babtist, whose features were depicted as more delicate (in reality all of them were men of color, but Da Vinci was using live models, and the fashion at that time was more of a paler skin tone for those in power (meant you didn’t work outside as a laborer))
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Ebru It's popcorn fic, so it's relatively easily digestible, but all in good fun. Probably part of why it became so popular when it came out (+ very short chapters and easy sensationalism), but pretty much agree with everyone else who's commented. It's part of the type of adult fiction that's technically accessible to most folks. Maybe not for younger teens / children? (But then it's been years since I read it - I think as a teenager in high school?? - so I forget what specifics would bar younger teens from reading it beyond maybe not being very interested in some of the topics explored.)
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Madison Heise @kari_bauer Did you end up reading this yet? Let me know if you like it! It sounds really interesting and the discussion here has been a great help!
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Kari Bauer I just finished it. I thought the mystery aspect was really cool and the plot twist had me screaming at the book. I was not a huge fan of the theology part though but that was just me. Overall I enjoyed it.
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Madison Heise That’s great feedback. I think I’ll add this to my list. :)
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Kari Bauer I hope you enjoy it!
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Courtney Keller I read this when I was 16 or so, it felt totally appropriate for me at the time, but I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it as much at 13. The book deals with a lot of historical references that might not resonate without some of the world history and art context you get from more advanced courses. When I was around 13, I got really into the books assigned for the annual YA reader thingie (omg I feel so old I cannot remember what it was called). Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, Enders Game, Speak - I remember loving those as much at around 13 as I loved DaVinci Code when I got older.
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Aidan Della Valle This book is amazing I binge read it in like 2 weeks it’s so good
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Aidan Della Valle 100% for young adults even teens in high school I read it my freshman year of high school a fantastic read, it’s gripping and pulls you in
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