Codex 632: The Secret Identity of Christopher Columbus: A Novel Audiobook (Unabridged)

" Ok, truth is I chose this book because my dog's name is Codex. But I did think the story sounded interesting. Unfortunately, the story did not come across as interesting. It's possible the translation from Portuguese to English lost something. It's possible the reader was too monotone (which he was) and his voice took something away from the story. But I didn't like the main character (cheating on his wife like it means nothing) and his seemingly lack of interest in his Downs Syndrome daughter. Either way, I was unimpressed. "

" This one was an interesting one, although the playaway audiobook I had of it sounded tinny and made the performance a little annoying to listen to. I have a feeling the ciphers and codes would've been easier to understand in the paper version, but in the end, it was a good read. Unexpected in parts. "

" Read this for the research, it's worth it. The plot is kind of weak and the dialogues are somewhat "forced" and boring (this is not a translation problem as I read portuguese original edition), but the historical part justifies reading this book. "

" Although this novel was very interesting in ways, and held my attention through 10 discs, it lacked the depth and characters to make it a truly good read. Very much in the vein of the "Da Vinci Code," "Codex 632" is a historical drama, with a highly educated young married college professor delving deep into ancient texts in order to bring light to the inky mystery of the origins of Christopher Columbus. The chase takes him from Portugal to Brazil to Israel and back, but also leads him down a treacherous pathway of lies, and infidelity to his wife. By the end, he seemingly has lost everything dear to his heart, only to scramble at a chance for redemption. The scramble is a cliche, unfortunately, and was my final "turn off" from the book. Cardboard supporting characters, a predicible plot, and a completely unsympathetic main character being the others. Who wants to read a novel where you despise the main character by the end of the third chapter?? Methinks the awful plot might have merely been an excuse for the author to tell his imagining of the biography of Columbus--which is actually a fascinating story. I would have preferred it if he'd just written an engrossing non-fiction tale, and left the soap opera to daytime television. "

" someone's thesis about the origins of christopher columbus with an excuse for a plot. and then .. what was based on true research and what was made up? if it was based in truth - it would be interesting, but what if it was ALL made up? "

" Reading this book was a waste of time. I kept expecting it to get more exciting, but it didn't. Instead of a "DaVinci Code"-style thriller, it was more of a boring scholarly hunt through old documents. And when the "secret identity of Christopher Columbus" is revealed, I thought "who cares?" "

" In Dan Brown's style but with less finesse...premise of the story is especially interesting...I wonder if there is any truth to it "

" I listened to this book on cd while driving. Even on cd, the descriptions were way too long and drawn out. "

" Pretty good, a couple of silly details, like a scholar not knowing what a charade is... but very exciting holiday read. "

" This book was originally published in Portugal, and I think that if I knew more Portuguese history, it would have been a more interesting read. As it is, there were a few parts that were hard to wade through. "

" Reading got a bit tedious, but I finished it. "

" An interesting novel about a mystery around Christopher Columbus. Interesting read... one of those books that can provide some fun for some time. "

" Okay story, nothing too exciting. However, the depiction of the two American foundation members was almost insulting. Mr. Santos has used almost every cliche possible in his description. His main character comments that he hadn't ever been off the continent and I wonder the same for the author. "

" in it's own way what DaVinci code longed to be... "

" The historical information was interesting, but it was wrapped around a bad present-day plot. "

" Very interesting, but not as thrilling as expected. If you're looking for a tamer Dan Brown-type novel, this is it. "

" Read for book club...painful, Da Vinci Code wannabe. The big secret is....spoiler alert- Columbus may have been Jewish. "

" I listened to this book on cd while driving. Even on cd, the descriptions were way too long and drawn out. "

" Yikes! This book was a sad mix of interesting historical facts, and boring and confusing bits of the main character's personal history. If you can make it through the sad sack Naronha's life story, read for the interesting theories on Christopher Columbus. "

" It was a boring average read. It started off with a fast pace, and slow down gradually. It compares itself with Dan brown's Da Vinci Code, but it is not even close to the all time great thriller. "

" An interesting novel about a mystery around Christopher Columbus. Interesting read... one of those books that can provide some fun for some time. "

" A fiction book, written by a famous Portuguese journalist, where the thesis that Colón was Portuguese is presented! Not the best piece of literature there is, but I've found this quite addictive and entertaining! :) "

" Reading got a bit tedious, but I finished it. "

" someone's thesis about the origins of christopher columbus with an excuse for a plot. and then .. what was based on true research and what was made up? if it was based in truth - it would be interesting, but what if it was ALL made up? "