So at the urging of EVERYONE I actually read ‘The Da Vinci Code’ on the train to and from Montreal last week. Oddly, and as someone who rarely shares loves with anyone around him, I didn’t really enjoy it. I found it dragged considerably and consisted almost entirely of dialogue. In fact, the only reason I could imagine people would enjoy it so much were the very elements of it causing so much controversy.
Which brings me to a question of the gang – how many people believe that the many “facts” presented by Dan Brown are in some way true? Things such as Jesus not being divine, Jesus marrying Mary Magdalene and having children with her, Constantine creating the Bible, anything in particular. More out of curiosity for myself.
In the interest of full disclosure I am obviously, to readers of the site, a devout Christian who does believe in the Bible (notably the New Testament). Reading the book I found many of Dan Brown’s claims to be of questionable basis in some cases, outright false in others, and even intriguing in a few cases. But the captivation of the masses is the most intriguing of all to me – so what are your thoughts?
I read A LOT of books, and I’ve read all of Dan Brown’s work (4 of them). I don’t think he’s a particularly good writer, and Da Vinci code isn’t his best work. His novels are really just ‘pulp’ that are a quick read on a plane. Funny thing is that I read Da Vinci Code years ago when it first came out (2003) and didn’t think anything special of it…it’s simply a work of fiction. The part I do like about it, and Angels & Demons, is that the architectural references are true (as we proved by finding them all in Rome), so it’s fun as a treasure hunt to do in one of the cities. As for the religious part…I believe it’s up to each person to believe what’s important to them. I’m not religious, so I don’t really know if the stuff is true in the Da Vinci Code or in the Bible…nor do I really care (no offense Rick). I’m not going to debate something that’s not important to me, since I don’t feel it’s my place! :) I’ll leave that to the theological historians. Makes sense? Bottom Line…I agree there’s WAY too much hype about this. Want to read a good work of fiction? Read “The Time Traveller’s Wife”, “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn”, “100 Years of Solitude” or “Shibumi”.
I have no desire to read The Da Vinci Code. It has nothing to do with my views as a Christian (although the church would like to think it does), but more that I can’t stand things that receive way more hype in society than they are actually worth. Will I ever see the movie? Well not in the threatre, its not worth my 13 bucks or whatever a ticket is going for these days. I may rent it. If I do watch it I certainly won’t be looking at it as factual information.
I agree with Shaz. I did the same thing in Paris… went looking for all the landmarks and it was fun. I would never have sought out particular churches if I hadn’t read this book, so, I think it is valuable on that basis alone.
I wll say that I beleive Dan Brown’s book is a mix of fact and fiction… same as the bible. Sorting out the truth is fools debate with neither side being able to seperate 100% of the facts from the fiction.