Dan Browns Da Vinci Code
Discussion
After just reading this great book yesterday (kinda bed ridden at the moment) it's lead to some interesting thoughts.
Is what is written based on truth?
I'm not a religious man, nor do I have any belief of God or similar (I respect those who do however) but this lead to some very interesting theories. For instance:
We used to worship the female due to the "miracle of birth". The church wanted to rid of this worship to make a mans world so made the female "evil" and intercourse rather than been the chance to see God, dirty and wrong. The biting of the forbidden fruit, the way woman was made of man... all made up to disgrace the female form.
Some churches show this worship for the female by the entrance hall replicating the womans "bits".
Jesus was married to Mary M. and that she is painted in Da Vinci's last supper...
Is this "true" or is this simply a story like those in the bible - based on some truth but embelished?
Either way it's a great read and leads to ask questions, I'm wondering how deep?ly religious people will see the book
Is what is written based on truth?
I'm not a religious man, nor do I have any belief of God or similar (I respect those who do however) but this lead to some very interesting theories. For instance:
We used to worship the female due to the "miracle of birth". The church wanted to rid of this worship to make a mans world so made the female "evil" and intercourse rather than been the chance to see God, dirty and wrong. The biting of the forbidden fruit, the way woman was made of man... all made up to disgrace the female form.
Some churches show this worship for the female by the entrance hall replicating the womans "bits".
Jesus was married to Mary M. and that she is painted in Da Vinci's last supper...
Is this "true" or is this simply a story like those in the bible - based on some truth but embelished?
Either way it's a great read and leads to ask questions, I'm wondering how deep?ly religious people will see the book
so are his other 3 books.It's a good book, in an enjoyable tripe kinda way!
But, half of its "truths" are half-there, and it does ask some questions about e.g. Da Vinci's Last Supper...
The whole "Holy Grail" thing is another fascinating story, and one for conspiracy theorists, and a quick search on Google gives so many pages of bumf back, it's difficult to go through!
One thing I am pretty sure about is the accuracy of the new testament - i.e. who and when it was actually written... but that's a far bigger argument than this thread'd allow!
But, half of its "truths" are half-there, and it does ask some questions about e.g. Da Vinci's Last Supper...
The whole "Holy Grail" thing is another fascinating story, and one for conspiracy theorists, and a quick search on Google gives so many pages of bumf back, it's difficult to go through!
One thing I am pretty sure about is the accuracy of the new testament - i.e. who and when it was actually written... but that's a far bigger argument than this thread'd allow!
I agree with Mrs. Fish, fantastic book, as are the others (Angels & Demons, Digital Fortress, Deception Point)
He does seem to use a rather cunning ploy, of stating on the first paage, what is absolute fact. That tends to lend credibility to the rest of the revelations in the novel.
I would imagine that there are some points in the Da Vinci Code that are credible (old religions being replaced by new ones + the holidays stay the same etc). But I think that the Mary M / Merovingian / Last supper thing is a bit of a leap of faith (sic!)
He's not the first to suggest this theory, the Knights Templar / Merovingian thing has been written about extensively, I understand. It's just his style of writing means you get caught up in the story, so that fact and fiction get blurred....
I'd just sit back, relax and enjoy the yarn. That's all it is (just a darn good one). I would go as far as making a trip to the Roslyn Chapel with a copy of the novel in your hand (apparently lots of new tourists are going on a Da Vinci Code Pilgrimage!)
They're talking about making a film of "the code" possibly directed by Ron 'Happy Days' Howard. Hugh Jackman has been suggested, with others, for the Langdon role (who is suspiciously like Indiana Jones, no?)
He does seem to use a rather cunning ploy, of stating on the first paage, what is absolute fact. That tends to lend credibility to the rest of the revelations in the novel.
I would imagine that there are some points in the Da Vinci Code that are credible (old religions being replaced by new ones + the holidays stay the same etc). But I think that the Mary M / Merovingian / Last supper thing is a bit of a leap of faith (sic!)
He's not the first to suggest this theory, the Knights Templar / Merovingian thing has been written about extensively, I understand. It's just his style of writing means you get caught up in the story, so that fact and fiction get blurred....
I'd just sit back, relax and enjoy the yarn. That's all it is (just a darn good one). I would go as far as making a trip to the Roslyn Chapel with a copy of the novel in your hand (apparently lots of new tourists are going on a Da Vinci Code Pilgrimage!)
They're talking about making a film of "the code" possibly directed by Ron 'Happy Days' Howard. Hugh Jackman has been suggested, with others, for the Langdon role (who is suspiciously like Indiana Jones, no?)
I thought it was as average as average can be.
the author introduces these startling facts then does little more to convince the reader they are of any substance. A Catholic cult? shocking!
I found the book very patronising too, he treats the reader as if they are a seven year old, and all the car chase nonsense annoyed me too, as did the "global man hunt" thing. He has tried to hard to make a fictional story of religious or historical value and vice versa. Like Harry Potter, its one of those books where the hype far exceeds the actual contents....
the author introduces these startling facts then does little more to convince the reader they are of any substance. A Catholic cult? shocking!
I found the book very patronising too, he treats the reader as if they are a seven year old, and all the car chase nonsense annoyed me too, as did the "global man hunt" thing. He has tried to hard to make a fictional story of religious or historical value and vice versa. Like Harry Potter, its one of those books where the hype far exceeds the actual contents....pablo said:
I thought it was as average as average can be.
the author introduces these startling facts then does little more to convince the reader they are of any substance. A Catholic cult? shocking!
Sounds like Umberto Eco without the class.
Just started Angels and Demons 
- I like the way that fact is mixed with Fiction - try googling Illuminati - Opus Dei - Priore de sion - All interesting stuff in a conspiracy theory sort of way 
There are several books on 'Cracking the Da Vinci Code' or 'Decoding the Da Vinci Code' and whatnot that claim to explain the truths/fiction in the 'Da Vinci Code' book.
Seeing as I haven't read any of them, I can't comment on whether they are just trying to jump on the 'Da Vinci Code' bandwagon or are any good.
Check out amazon.co.uk for reviews.
Steve.
Seeing as I haven't read any of them, I can't comment on whether they are just trying to jump on the 'Da Vinci Code' bandwagon or are any good.
Check out amazon.co.uk for reviews.
Steve.
RobDickinson said:
I thought it was as average as average can be.
the author introduces these startling facts then does little more to convince the reader they are of any substance. A Catholic cult? shocking!
Sounds like Umberto Eco without the class.
'In the name of the rose' great book
I have not read the book but I have heard of the background to the story. He didn't make it all up. There is evidence to support the theories put forwards.
However it must be said that there are a lot of theories in this world with some evidence to support them.
Remember you are dealing with ancient stories based on ancient cults and what was once regarded as dangerous knowledge. Many of these stories contain some truth, some are fabrications and others are written in such a way that you need to appreciate the true message to understand the story.
The bulk of the Bible definitely isn't fiction. Most of Genesis, for example, is a family history and represents one of the few eye witness accounts of life 4000 to 3500 years ago. Try reading a "A Test of Time" which puts events in the Old testament into an Historical setting.
However it must be said that there are a lot of theories in this world with some evidence to support them.
Remember you are dealing with ancient stories based on ancient cults and what was once regarded as dangerous knowledge. Many of these stories contain some truth, some are fabrications and others are written in such a way that you need to appreciate the true message to understand the story.
The bulk of the Bible definitely isn't fiction. Most of Genesis, for example, is a family history and represents one of the few eye witness accounts of life 4000 to 3500 years ago. Try reading a "A Test of Time" which puts events in the Old testament into an Historical setting.
It's fiction, but he used a lot of research material to write it.
If the Grail theories he presents interest you, try "Holy Blood, Holy Grail." That's pretty much the definitive book on the subject (and is mentioned in Dan Brown's book.)
Also, "Bloodline of the Holy Grail" and others. And book on the Knights Templar, Da Vinci, the Cathars, and various entries on John the Baptist cults will be good reading too.
Mike
If the Grail theories he presents interest you, try "Holy Blood, Holy Grail." That's pretty much the definitive book on the subject (and is mentioned in Dan Brown's book.)
Also, "Bloodline of the Holy Grail" and others. And book on the Knights Templar, Da Vinci, the Cathars, and various entries on John the Baptist cults will be good reading too.
Mike
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