Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, is in Paris to give a lecture. When the Paris police wake him and ask him to come to the Louvre, he has no idea whHarvard symbologist Robert Langdon, is in Paris to give a lecture. When the Paris police wake him and ask him to come to the Louvre, he has no idea why. What he discovers is that the curator, Jacques Sauniere, has been murdered, and Langdon's name is written by the body. Cryptologist Sophie Neveu, is also drawn into the investigation - he's her estranged grandfather. The two learn that Jacques was the head of the Priory of Sion, the secret group tasked with concealing the Holy Grail. As they follow his clues, trying to stay ahead of those who were behind his killing, more and more is revealed.
I know I've read this previously, but it's been years and it was interesting to listen to it again.
2021 - 52 book Challenge - #5 Published by Penguin. This was originally published by Doubleday, which is now part of Penguin Random House....more
An excellent and interesting book about France. It deals primarily with geography, economic and natural resources, and transportation. It does deal wiAn excellent and interesting book about France. It deals primarily with geography, economic and natural resources, and transportation. It does deal with the life and habits of the French to some degree.
Filled with really beautiful pictures - half black and white and half color....more
Grace has a very orderly, satisfying life, after a traumatic childhood, with her husband and high school senior daughter. On Valentine's Day, on theirGrace has a very orderly, satisfying life, after a traumatic childhood, with her husband and high school senior daughter. On Valentine's Day, on their 25th anniversary, she surprises her husband with a month long trip to Paris for the summer, and he surprises her by asking for a divorce so he can continue his affair with a 23 year old friend of the family. Devastated, Grace carries on for the rest of the school year, and then decides to take the trip to Paris alone. On her first day, she's nearly mugged, but saved by a young British girl, Audrey, who's also alone and struggling. The unlikely pair bond as Grace helps Audrey learn French and overcome her dyslexia, and Audrey helps Grace become more brave and willing to risk. The two become very close, so that when additional traumas happen, they're able to support each other. Paris comes alive, and the relationships are tender and real. Well done....more
Vianne Mauriac and her daughter Sophie have to say goodbye to husband Antoine in their French village of Carriveau as he goes off to war. Vianne's sisVianne Mauriac and her daughter Sophie have to say goodbye to husband Antoine in their French village of Carriveau as he goes off to war. Vianne's sister is 17 and wants to do more than be in a finishing school. All are dragged into WW2 when the Germans invade France. Isabelle joins the resistance and eventually is sent to Ravensbruck. Vienne's husband is a POW and escapes, while she is raped by a German officer. All are changed by the war.
Similar in tone and setting to "All the Light We Cannot See" - opening scene is VERY similar. Very well done - not Hannah's typical story line.
6.28.23 - Listened to this very quickly as a refresher for book club. Not sure why my original rating was a 3 star, changing it to 4. Powerful story about the war and how it impacted the lives of ordinary people....more
Marie-Laure lives with her father near the Museum of Natural History in Paris, where he works as the master locksmith. When she is six, she goes blindMarie-Laure lives with her father near the Museum of Natural History in Paris, where he works as the master locksmith. When she is six, she goes blind. He builds a miniature of their neighborhood so she can independently navigate. When she's 12, they flee Paris for her great uncle's house in Saint-Malo with a museum secret, just ahead of the Nazi invasion.
Meanwhile, in a German mining town, Wernor grows up an orphan with his sister. He's fascinated by and very good with radios. This earns him a place in a Hitler Youth academy where he hones this skill prior to being sent first to the Russian front and then back through Europe - ending in Saint-Malo. He ends up saving Marie-Laure during the bombing/burning of the city.
No real happy ending, but a fascinating book from an unusual perspective....more
This classic is an amazing book. At over 1400 pages in the unabridged version, it's daunting, but worth it. DON'T read the abridged! The language and This classic is an amazing book. At over 1400 pages in the unabridged version, it's daunting, but worth it. DON'T read the abridged! The language and style are much better in the unabridged. This is a tale of revenge and redemption - it's a great example of a romantic historical novel from the 1800's. Edmund Dante is unfairly imprisoned just as he's about to become a ship captain and husband. After 14 years in prison, he escapes and becomes the very wealthy Count who plots and plans revenge against those who wronged him and wealth and forture to those who tried to help. Full of twists and turns, rights and wrongs - well done! Warning! The book does NOT end the same way as the Jim Caviezel/Guy Pearce/Richard Harris version of the movie! ...more