Book Review/ The Da Vinci Code

[Dullhook]

I'm hardly qualified as a book reviewer but these are some personal thoughts. Out of respect for the ifish rules and other members I won't bring religion into this but only historic fact. Please let's not turn this into a religious debate.

As a fast-paced investigative fiction story the Da Vinci Code was pretty good. I wouldn't put the writing into the class of a Tom Clancy, but it should definitely keep your interest. If you're looking for historic truths however it might be better to look elsewhere. This book as most of you know has become big source of controversy and a best-seller in the process, much to the delight of author Dan Brown.

For anyone not familiar with the book it starts with the murder of the Lourve's curator inside of the museum. It turns out that he's a member of a secret society (Sion) that guards an ancient secret that would completely discredit Christian beliefs through the word of the Bible. The story tells how before his death he left some clues for his granddaughter and a Harvard professor to guide them. The book tells what they encounter in their investigation, what Mr. Brown claims as fact, hence the controversy.

The book is full of historic inaccuracies too numerous to mention here but here are a couple of examples:

1. Brown claims the the Dead Sea Scrolls that were found in the mid 1950's (actually 1947) contained some outlawed gospels about Jesus including the fact that he'd married Mary Magdalene, had a child, moved to France where he still has lineage. The fact is that the Scrolls were written 200 years before the birth of Jesus. Brown also bases this on the completely discredited "Gospel of Phillip" which he said was written in Aramaic (actually Greek) and claims that Jesus kissed Mary on the mouth. This in fact was never included in this text. Discredited fact in a discredited gospel.

2. He also claims that the vote on Christ's Deity at the Council of Nicea was "relatively close". In fact it was 298-2! How would you like to win an election by that count?!

The Da Vinci Code is pretty entertaining fiction but that's about as far as it goes.

[fergy61]

Burn it!!!

[WheresMyBobber]

I thought it was a great mystery book. That's all it was ever meant to be. I've read lots of fictional books filled with historical errors. That's why they're fictional! :smile:

[JustCallMeDave]

Burn it!!!

Burn it!!!

OMG!!!!

[baltz526]

yes i completly believe fictional books are fictional. and due to this fiction, there can be no friction.

[Swamp Puppy]

it was a great book...kept my interest the entire way through. being "fiction" i hardly worry about inaccuracies or religious implications..as long as the story works it's good by me.

[Joe Schwab]

Yes fiction is fiction. But when you take something that a lot of people believe in and create a story that is totally false, then it is no longer fiction and does create friction.

True fiction authors create stories. They also USED TO use the statement, "any resemblance to persons living or dead is completely unintentional".

But what the heck, if it makes a good story, what's the harm, eh?

[Swamp Puppy]

sooooo...making stories and books revolving around UFO's isn't acceptable because it may offend those that seriously believe and study the possibilities of life outside of our solar system?

i mean seriously..fiction is ALWAYS fiction. the problem isn't the topic or the story..it's the people who are too intoloerant to just accept the fact that it's just a STORY.

[Super Fluke]

OMG!!!!

[Joe Schwab]

sooooo...making stories and books revolving around UFO's isn't acceptable because it may offend those that seriously believe and study the possibilities of life outside of our solar system

Hey I'm tolerant! I just don't see the comparison between Christ and ET!

[Swamp Puppy]

yeah..I'm sure the people at SETI get plenty upset about ET and Star Wars. I'm surprised they haven't hauled Speilberg and Lucas into court on copyright/plagerism charges.

[USS Minnow]

For many of us the "Gospel" is no more than a myth. It is as valid as Native American or Greek mythology just to name a few. Myth tends to be a mirror of the society that creates it. As social values change over time, the mythos of that society changes to reflect its new situation. People seem to need a justification for their actions and existence and their myth or religion provides this. There is no doubt a fine line between myth and fiction. I think that if you look back in history much that is written as mythology could just as easily be fiction and visa versa.
As for the Da Vinci Code, it obviously challenges some people’s beliefs. If they are secure in those beliefs the book will not be a threat. If, however they look in their mirror and things seem a little out of focus, it could be that society has shifted a little and the new mythology has not quit caught up.

[Pete]

There's no question that a wide range of beliefs exists between Ifishers. We don't need to be disrespectful or intolerant to have a discussion. Please remember that we all are here first because we share the love of fishing. Let's not get our dander up, ok?

[rimrock]

I think the book as been a good thing and the movie which will soon be released will provide even more positive opportunities. How did the Bible come into the form we now have it, who really is this Jesus? That’s good stuff!!! Those are great questions be it from a fiction or non-fiction book makes very little difference in the end.

This is a religion thing no reason to portrait it any other way, the book is, the movie will be, even this thread is our culture gets a little bit too uptight and overly worried IMHO when the word “religion” comes up – I realize there are many reasons for this and that’s fine. But someday I pray people will move beyond being so “worried” and will be comfortable to ask the great questions…because only from the great questions comes the great answers.

[Dullhook]

But someday I pray people will move beyond being so “worried” and will be comfortable to ask the great questions…because only from the great questions comes the great answers.

rimrock: I'll join you in prayer on this because this is what most of us would like to see. It is what's needed.

Unfortunately this isn't a reality at least at this time in the world that we live in. The popularity of the Da Vinci Codes is only a small indicator of the division that exists between our brothers and sisters on this planet. The comfort level just doesn't seem to be there. We have to tread very lightly.

Will it ever change?

For this we pray.

[roadsend]

"i mean seriously..fiction is ALWAYS fiction. the problem isn't the topic or the story..it's the people who are too intoloerant to just accept the fact that it's just a STORY."

How about a story that includes a theme such as Mohammed being married to a Jewish wife whose descendents included Ariel Sharon and David ben Gurion?

Or maybe a story based around the premise that M. L. King had a white girlfriend whose offspring became the Grand Kleagle of the KKK?

Hey, they are just stories, nothing to get upset about.

[Dullhook]

roadsend: I would agree with you that fiction is fiction and is just a story. The problem here is that Dan Brown asserts that what he has written is fact.

Very little of the overall conspiracy and mystery within Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code is original. Brown stated in an interview “As I mentioned earlier, the secret I reveal is one that has been whispered for centuries. It is not my own. Admittedly, this may be the first time the secret has been unveiled within the format of a popular thriller, but the information is anything but new."

I guess we can all interpret this as we like and draw our own conclusions. I'm a sick old guy and need to go to bed.
Good night everybody!

[HammondSeaRanger]

Hey I'm tolerant! I just don't see the comparison between Christ and ET!

I do they are both myths ...

[WheresMyBobber]

From Dan Browns website:

HOW MUCH OF THIS NOVEL IS TRUE?
The Da Vinci Code is a novel and therefore a work of fiction . While the book's characters and their actions are obviously not real, the artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals depicted in this novel all exist (for example, Leonardo Da Vinci's paintings, the Gnostic Gospels, Hieros Gamos, etc.). These real elements are interpreted and debated by fictional characters. While it is my belief that some of the theories discussed by these characters may have merit, each individual reader must explore these characters' viewpoints and come to his or her own interpretations. My hope in writing this novel was that the story would serve as a catalyst and a springboard for people to discuss the important topics of faith, religion, and history.

Looks like he succeded.

[Joe Schwab]

I do they are both myths ...

Wow! Great insight!

[roadsend]

Julius Caesar, Aristotle, and Plato were also myths.
Maybe even George Washington.

[Gus Orviston]

Fiction is Fiction, and Marketing is Marketing and usually.... Marketing is Fiction. And that is a fact.

Looks like Dan does a great job of marketing.. the banter just sells more books. I am sure he would like to thanks all those that keep it stirred up.

good night everybody, and thanks for coming.....

[rimrock]

IMO it’s not fiction, friction, marketing or whatever type of word one wants to put to the Da Vinci Code. The friction doesn’t come from it being a fiction book or any form of marketing savvy on the part of the publisher. As is often the case it’s the word JESUS – that’s what’s creating the friction. It has for many a year and it will for many a year to come, one would think to ask, “Why is that?” No other name has ever received more attention, more ridicule, more praise…it’s been used for great good and great evil. Friction is merely saying Jesus.

Just a few months back I walked by the best sellers list in a Barnes and Nobles I found it very interesting that half of the books, fiction and non-fiction, dealt with either Jesus directly or spirituality in general. I thought to myself, “Why is that?” When as a society we often speak about how indifferent we are, how it’s all a myth or folk-tales. Why the interest than? I thought just maybe there is far more interest than the front we all can put up from time to time. I personally put up this front for the first 28 years of my life – finally I came to the point I really wanted to know the great question, “Who is this Jesus? Why all the tension?” The answer was far different than what I expected, than the notion I already had pre-conceived in my mind.

Because of this book and others like it and certainly for the others to come some people are going to asking the great questions, and still others will continue to live their day-to-day indifferent. But for those who ask, they will find far, far more than what they expect.

[MacFish]

The book was well written and I found the premise fascinating. The response to it makes it appear to be the Christian version of the Mohammed cartoons.

[Sweet Melissa]

I won't bring religion into this ...

I just don't think that's possible with this book, Dullhook.

I also think that people who believe the movie is going to create a "wonderful opportunity for discussion" are seriously kidding themselves. I think about all it's going to lead to in most interactions is more divisiveness and an "us against them" mentality.

[garyk]

About a year ago, a friend lent me the audio-book version of The DaVinci Code - which by the way has the most awful narration. But I persevered, and for a couple weeks, the CD entertained me during the work commute.

To me, it was just a story, a novel, fiction, or speculative history. Just another "what if" type of story with enough factual information woven through it to make it interesting.

I personally found the interpretation of The Grail, along with the historic detail about the Knights Templar, the Masons, Rose Lines, etc. - all things I'd never known about - enough to make the book a worthwhile read (or listen in my case). The intriguing description of the Rosslyn Chapel is enough to make me want to visit it.

I won't hold my breath for the movie though. It always seems that books this rich in detail just don't translate well to movies - "Dune" being a prime example. And Lord of The Rings the exception.

[Dullhook]

I also think that people who believe the movie is going to create a "wonderful opportunity for discussion" are seriously kidding themselves. I think about all it's going to lead to in most interactions is more divisiveness and an "us against them" mentality.

I agree with you 100% Melissa!

P.S. I'm so happy to hear that Pastor Morley has resumed ministering at your church and that Milton is recovering slowly but consistently from his burns. We will continue praying for both of them at our church.....D.H.

[judyfish99]

Dan Brown musta read: Holy Blood, Holy Grail...the book came out in the 80's....so this DaVinci Code is nothing new to me. I also have "The Lost Books of the Bible"

[rimrock]

"us against them"

At least coming from the Christian perspective that would really be a shame and nothing we would wish to applaud; further and much more importantly this belief wasn’t modeled by Jesus. There is no “us” and there is no “them” this belief already draws the lines of division. The conflict as it were for the Christian is not against other people (what the Bible calls “flesh and blood” as recorded in Ephesians). This and other passages demonstrate there is no “them” per se but in truth the proper Christian mindset is really “we”. We all have the same need; wither people are aware of it or not doesn’t change this need. Certainly there will always be stories like Da Vinci Code which categorize themselves as fiction, but claim to have deeply researched historical basis for the story attempting to have it both ways. And that’s just fine it’s simply how things are.

It is wise to note there is division and there always will be because of the name Jesus, but that division is not to be advanced by the wrong Christian mindset. Those who strongly oppose Christ will partake in the “us verses them” gig and that’s their choice to make, yet some opportunities will arise from the Da Vinci Code. Will they come from the hard-line resistor? Maybe not, but some will be curious and will want to know more. The Christian who is equipped expecting God to work even in the most unexpected ways will be prepared to patiently share the hope which only Jesus can offer. To close the door on that is in a way to close the door on what God can do. Division certainly is a reality the Gospel Message causes this; we know the very Cross itself is called “foolishness” to many, but let’s not make us against them a reality within the heart of those trusting in Jesus.

[Troutinator]

sometimes a cigar is just... a cigar...

[BJS]

Say there big house. I know this be kinda a big Q, but woulda tell me why ya think so many folk are so big n’ ticked about a fiction book and all. There has got to be more to it than just sayin its fiction. Thanks dude!

[Dullhook]

The problem many Christians have with the Da Vinci Code is partly due to the way the book was written. Many people that are unfamiliar with the gospels of the Bible and may be searching for something in their lives, or just curious, may take the ideas presented as fact.

The first word encountered in the book, in bold uppercase letters is FACT . Then Brown writes: "All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate." Does this sound to you like fiction? Many people will assume the statement is true.

Will some question this and look for corroboration or some other evidence to refute what they've read? Yes they will. Will others accept it as truth and believe it? Of course. It would be a tragedy if even a few are influenced by a bunch of falsehoods that are proclaimed as truths and move on in their lives believing them.

The Hollywood film version that will be seen by many more than have read the book could have an even more negative effect. We can only hope that there will be some type of disclaimer at the beginning of the movie. If it's actually just a fiction mystery story, more power to them! If they try to emulate the book and present lies as facts, shame on them! I haven't really heard much about the movie version. But how many movie-goers that are not familiar (or interested in) with scripture are likely to leave the theater and search out an authorized copy of the Bible to learn the real truth?

I'm not attempting to speak for all Christians on this, but many of us share this view.

[Snapset]

I haven't yet read the DaVinci code, but I have read the Bible a few times. I don't even know why I am chiming in, other than to say the Bible says a lot but it leaves a lot more unsaid. Jesus was 32 years old when He was crucified, and His ministry only lasted 2 years. From the time He was 12 to the time He was 30, we have very little information. As far as Jesus being married, I kinda think he probably was.

I mean if I was God on Earth, I would definitely have a wife and she would be just as pretty as my wife. Just my opinion, please don't let it worry you.

If you like this kind of book you should read "Foucault's Pendulum". It deals with the Knights Templar, and the crusades and lots more of that kind of stuff. Pretty interesting in the context of the present conflicts between the predominantly Christian west and predominantly Muslim middle East. I wish our leaders (of both parties) had a better historical understanding of these tensions before they make the momentous decisions.