June 14, 2004
Da Vinci Code

Finally got around to reading Dan Brown's The Di Vinci Code last week. I enjoyed it quite a bit. The book is super fast paced and easy to read despite the sometimes dense theological content. I won't give anything away but the book does reveal some rather surprising, and allegedly well documented, theories about Christianity and the goings on of various secret societies. Obviously, Leonardo Di Vinci and his paintings play a big role in the book and I for one won't look at his work in quite the same light from now on. Already firmly entrenched as my personal favorite historical figure, Di Vinci as mischievous prankster and rebel just elevates him even higher in my book.

The wrapper story is a murder mystery that is a bit weak at times (don't paint your characters into an inescapable situation unless you plan for them to be caught) but is still solid reading and again, very fast paced. The book should translate well to film, though I hope Ron Howard can keep the cheese factor lower than in his normal fare.

Posted by j.d.ashcraft to Personal at 11:30AM on Jun 14, 2004
Comments

Hi Mr. Ashcraft,
No doubt that the Di Vinci Code is an interesting book to read, but beware about those "surprising, and allegedly well documented theories about Christianity and the goings on of various secret societies." I don't believe Mr. Dan Brown did any honest research into history and the book should be regarded as strictly fictional. A Mr. Richard Abanes brings up some interesting information in his book "The Truth Behind The Di Vinci Code." He writes: "The book launches repeated attacks against Christian beliefs, the Bible, and early church leaders. And when it comes to the most sacred of all Christian doctrines--those relating to Jesus--Brown writes that 'almost everything our fathers taught us about Christ is FALSE.'
Spreading one's views via fiction is certainly a freedom guaranteed to all Americans. Most critics would acknowledge that Brown has the right to say whatever he wants to say. What is problematic, however, is the way that he, his publisher, and the media have been presenting The Da Vinci Code: as a fact-based expose wherein the characters reveal TRUTHS long hidden from, or at the very least ignored by, the general public. To use the author's words, 'When you finish the book--like it or not--you've learned a ton.'"
Well J.D., if you are in any way interested in any truth behind this work of fiction, I would suggest that you get a copy of Mr. Abanes book (it's only 78 pages and the publisher is Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon. It does a good job of separating truth from the fiction behind Mr. Brown's work. I would hope you won't make the same mistake as a Charles Taylor of salon.com did in describing the novel as a "fast-paced romp through 2000 years of Christianity's darker secrets." Taylor then added, "The most amazing thing about this novel is that it's based on fact." You will find that in fact, the book really has no basis in fact, there are just too many inaccuracies in it to make any part of it non-fiction.
Sincerely,
Wayne

The book is no more or less proveable fact than the Bible is. The book illustrates that we don't know what the truth is. Have faith if you have faith. It should not concern you if others don't believe what you believe.

What wisdom is, and how she came into being, I will relate; I will conceal no mysteries from you, but will track her from her first beginnings and bring the knowledge of her into the open.
- Wisdom of Solomon 8:22

Da Vinci Code.....fv

maybe hes trying to say there is more out there then people know.
Geeze what if his ideas are true that would be awesome.
I rather hear his truth then anyone elses since the bible was written bye men and noting but men there is not one teacher one messiah there are many.
hes just saying hey what if this is true.
he doesnt care if anyone else cares its his story.
and for anyone to judge the book is stupid hes an amazing writter.