Does this remind you of The Da Vinci Code?

[DathanReeves]

Actually, beside the familiar ring of the title, no, this is very different. Davinci Code was a puzzle mystery this is romantic adventure.

[TALIA ONYANGO]

There's not much resemblance save for the stolen paints since the two books adress different themes.

[David Horta Alonso]

I do not agree. Different themes are discussed in both books.

[Facennagoss]

I agree there are similarities but loosely. I’m not convinced that it would be possible to use Da Vinci in the title and avoid art and some links to the code. In my opinion, Belle Ami has been very clever in using an idea that she knows has the potential to sell brilliantly well and branching off in to an original idea.

[Fozia-Bajwa]

Although there are the similarities between the two but I don't think so to remind the Vinci code by looking at the title.

[Amanda Nicole Newton]

I believe the similarities are very loose between the two. I really enjoyed the Da Vinci Code but this one was just a little better than average. I think it was because I went in expecting something like the Da Vinci Code but ended up getting a big romantic adventure instead of the thriller I was expecting.

[Yerenzhu]

The two stories revolve obviously around Da Vinci's paintings, but other than that I don't feel like that there are many similarities between the two. Sure both books are about two couples finding a missing painting, but Da Vinci Code was more religious compared to The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci where she had to find the painting to stop her and Alex from essentially becoming reincarnated, again and again.

[Swat3737]

The Da Vinci Code contains historical subject matter that has been well researched and a more complex plot with codes and a type of treasure hunt. Also, it's a more serious book and Dan Brown's writing is in a completely different league. Just my opinion.

I completely agree. My biggest disappointment in Belle Ami's novel was the lack of historical research that Dan Brown and other authors do so well. The book purported to be similar to The Da Vinci Code and it was a far cry from it. I also was just surprised at the lack of supporting characters.

[Vlinstry]

I dont think you are fishing. There are definite similarities.

[HollandBlue]

I am a big fan of The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, and although I am enjoying The Girl Who Knew da Vinci by Belle Ami, I must say that I am a little disappointed that there are not many similarities between the two books at all. Brown's book is much more suspenseful than Ami's book; I couldn't put it down. Ami's book contains more romance and paranormal material in the plot and isn't nearly as fast-paced as Brown's in-depth novel. The only connections are the emphasises on da Vinci and art.

[Power Onyango]

Yeah, the artistic works are similar. Moreover,the name suggests some semblance of similarity.

[Raksha Rakhecha]

The title "The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci" itself makes me resemble the book "The Da Vinci Code.

[Kareka88]

I agree there are a few similaries such as the search for an item, the obvious art history theme, and different settings. However, I think the books are not comparable otherwise. The Girl Who Knew da Vinci has a more simplistic plot with few clues and a beach read-style romance element. The Da Vinci Code contains historical subject matter that has been well researched and a more complex plot with codes and a type of treasure hunt. Also, it's a more serious book and Dan Brown's writing is in a completely different league. Just my opinion.

I would have to agree with bookoelie. The storyline, the complexity and the amount of research involved in Dan Brown’s novel is more of a treasure hunt. Angela’s story is of a more personal nature.

[ross_offscript]

Hi NL Hartje -

Surprising to some, I have not read or watched "The Da Vinci Code" yet. Based on your analysis, however, "The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci" does have some similarities to Dan Brown's work.

Although I enjoyed reading Belle Ami's book, I am not surprised that other readers do not consider the author's story unique or original. In reference to my review, I think that the author's novel is extremely similar to a Korean television drama series called "Saimdang." If you place Angela in Korea instead of Italy and you remove a lot of the sensual heat, you have "Saimdang." Lastly, I also thought that the initial meeting between Fioretta Gorini and Giuliano de Medici was similar to the initial meeting of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy in Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice."

[ems2]

I agree that the name of the book and the fact that it deals with art are the only two things in common. It's been a while since I read the book, but the Girl who knew Da Vinci was not as complex and didn't deal with history (make believe or not) as in-depth as the DaVinci code. Neither did it have those monks who flogged themselves or the Knights Templar.