do you have to be able to understand french to read the Da Vinci code?

Answer 1

Learning many languages can be a great asset in life in general. For reading the Da Vinci Code, however, you're better off pretending you never learnt anything at school beyond how to read. The fact is that Dan Brown delights in looking clever and he does that by saying things and then explaining them to you. If you already know french, latin, greek, art history, christian history or any of the various academic pursuits referenceed in the book your enjoyment of it will drop drastically as you'll see amazing plot twists coming from a mile off and you'll jjst spend the whole book waiting to happen.

Don't get me wrong, it's a cracking read, but you don't want to overthink it, at least not until after you've read it.

Answer 2

The story is written in English, and the movie is in English. The actual code is based on some writings that at the time where in French along with other languages. The first laws written in Europe were in French, and that was the only language recognized in the courts back then. The concept of a democracy was started by the French and it was that model of government that our founding Fathers used in the creation of the United States.

Answer 3

No you certainly do not have to be fluent in the french language,
actually I am totally minus of any exam results. I was brought up
as a Roman Catholic from day one, went through 3 schools
my Mother(RIP) was a very staunch RC, this book was
supposed to be taboo to people who were brought up in the
church of Rome.I have been a lapsed RC since 1964.
It never upset me, for all I know, there could be some foundation
in it's contents, but I would never dismiss this book as rubbish.
Read it and enjoy.

Answer 4

if you can spell your own name in English you should be able to understand the Da Vinci Code. Better still, don't read it. It's rubbish.

Answer 5

Not at all. I suggest to get some information about the Louvre museum and da Vinci paintings.

Answer 6

Good gravy, no. The vast majority of the fleeting scraps of French are immediately translated in the text anyway.

Answer 7

No not at all. I think that it uses french once, but it is just expalinging the possible emtomopgy of holy grail, and it is translated. no french required. very good book.

Answer 8

not unlesss the copy you have has been translated into French- go buy the English version at a book shop near you!

Answer 9

Nope

Answer 10

This isn't a book for understanding anything. If you can understand French, try a book for grown-ups.