Ok, I enjoyed it. Despite myself. I do have to go back and re-listen to part of it, as I fell asleep during a crucial portion. But I still give it high marks. Less aggravating than Angels & Demons, for sure.

Yes, the writing is middle-grade at best. Two or three times I physically jerked at a poorly worded sentence.

However, sometimes you just want to enjoy the ride! Grin and bear it and you'll be told a fun, engaging, and myth-riddled tale!

I can't tell you anything about the book you haven't already hear elsewhere... I think we're all better off knowing as little as possible about it when you read it!

Wait until after reading to watch the movie. I get it, people are disappointed at the liberties the film takes with the novel. But I think 15 years of living near Hollywood has finally gotten it into my head--they have 2 hours to tell a story the author took 16 hours to tell in print! It's never going to be a literal, word-for-word translation from book to movie. I loved the movie, it renewed my *heart* for Tom Hanks and of course I already adored Audrey Tautou. Ron Howard is pretty high on my cool people list, thanks to Arrested Development.