Thursday, April 27, 2006

da code

"A very wise British priest noted recently in the press, ‘Christian theology has survived the writings of Galileo and the writings of Darwin; surely, it will survive the writings of some novelist from New Hampshire.’"

Novelist Dan Brown author of The Da Vinci Code

I'm still trying to understand all the hoopla over the The Da Vinci Code.

Dan Brown's book is an international best seller, probably one of the only books in this fast paced era, where less and less reading is done (upcoming blog topic), to make a big profit, and it is about to make its debut in movie form any day now and its still as controversial now as it was when it was first released three plus years ago.

Image hosting by PhotobucketBut why?

To be honest I hadnt intended to read it at first. From its debut, it just seemed like it was getting way too much hype and for me hype is usually equivalent to a disappointing output so I said naa I'll wait till the movie comes out.

But then I just couldnt escape the hype and the controversy. At work, at church, in social gatherings, on the subway, everywhere I went I was either privy to conversations on the book or saw somebody reading it. Bookstores had giant displays, Amazon.ca was selling it at discount prices, and folks were asking me left, right and centre whether I had read it.

And as much as I wanted to be in the know and wax poetically on its contents I resisted though. Yep just thought it was going to be watered down and I would be bored somewhat and figure it out in 20 minutes as I do most mysteries. Then I heard a comment that changed my perception.

Someone I knew said that the book had made them question their faith.

Whoa! Hold up son? What was that? I think I misheard you. Question your faith?

Ok now, my curiousity was piqued. Lead me to the nearest bookstore. I gots to read this ish.

And so I did.

I'll be honest in that it was better than I thought it would be. The storyline is fast paced and rather exciting even if the writing itself isnt the best prose. My thoughts on finishing it were 'That would make a great movie' just because of the pace with which it moves and the twists that are introduced throughout the book. Mind you the end seems somewhat like many of my blogs ie; the author ran out of steam.

But even though the book is based on a twisting of religious details to make them seem realistic never once did this book come close to making me question my faith.

Why? Because I recognized that the book is FICTION. Its a good yarn but still its fiction and if I dont believe that Star Trek is real or Ghost Busters is real why should I believe that the Da Vinci Code is?

Thats why when I go to church and hear the preacher in my small mission go on about the Da Vinci Code I wonder to myself, did these guys read the book and dont these guys realize that this is all fiction. I mean if someone comes out with a well written book twisting facts to say that Jesus was an alien will we suddenly believe he was an alien too?

Come on man. Fiction, fact its that simple. Dont get it twisted. Just like everything you see on tv isnt real, everything you read isnt. I mean I dont know where my personal faith stacks up to others but still I think the average Christian shouldnt be worried about this book's affect on their faith if they do hold some faith.

Is Dan Brown the first guy to write fiction based on the church? Probably not. So why all the hoopla with the Da Vinci Code. Doesnt the church know that their comments are just helping Dan Brown get more publicity and sell more books. Do they not understand how publicity goes? There is no bad publicity.

Do we believe everything in print now even if it clearly labelled fiction or are we saying that well there must be some truth because he cant possibly be that talented to make this book all up?

He's a writer, a fiction writer. Its his job to come up with stories and make them realistic people.

(And just like Dan Brown's Da Vinci code I ran out of steam and cant think of a good ending for my blog. Unlike Dan Brown though only 10 -20 people will read this post.)

23 comments:

Radmila said...

Here's the thing, there are people out there that hail the da vinci code as finally telling the truth about "the goddess" and all of that. I've had to say out loud when people have discussed the book with me "you know it's fiction, right?" and they say that they know...but you know that they want to believe it.
People want to believe in the order of conspiracy. They don't want to believe that most people (including Priests and Clergy) are flying by the seat of their pants. They want to believe that the Catholic church is part of some grand all encompassing free masons club, complete with secret handshakes and secret passwords.
The interesting thing for a cynic like me is that the lawsuit that was brought on by the two other authors who claim that Dan stole their ideas and storyline...is that they are all owned by Random House...and even though those other authors lost the case against the code, Random House won because sales for the other two books have gone through the roof.

It's all about the money, baby.

Ravenbajan said...

I loved that book. I read it about 2 years ago before all of the hype got out of hand with it. I enjoyed it for the same reason you did... it was fast paced, exciting, and different.

I think alot of the hoop-la regarding this particular story is because it actually isn't all fiction. The story line is fiction obviously, but alot of the things that he brings up and bases the story around are actually historically accurate. Not everything, but enough to make people wonder. I was surprised after reading it to learn about how many aspects of that book are actually true and how those theories and sects really have been around for thousands of years. I guess it's all how you want to spin those facts, theories and ideas that make people go hmmm..

I have to admit I'm looking forward to the movie. Hopefully it won't be another Hollywood slaughter of an entertaining book. It's rare to find a great fiction story that has such mass appeal. I know people who hate to read who have read it. Shakespere it aint', but it's still a great accomplishment to get that many people reading again.

Anonymous said...

When I read it, I found myself running to the computer to look up the statues and the paintings, just to get a look at it. The man did his homework. And who's to say what is true and what is not.

It was a good read and an educational experience.

Abeni said...

It is arrite..made me say hmmmm in a few parts.Question faith? Not at all.

Anonymous said...

Jdid, like you I felt almost compelled to read this book, and Brown's other big seller, Angels and Demons. I agree that he spins a reasonably good yarn, though I felt in both cases that his denouements were weak. As to why people are inclined to take the subject matter as being fact rather than fiction? I think there is a vast amount of ignorance abroad in society, seemingly impervious to the wide availability of education and information nowadays. The smorgasbord of data is overwhelming and, in a context in which people are zealous about not privileging one set of knowledge over another, a lot of shit slips in under the door.

Amadeo said...

If fiction makes you question your faith, it wasn't that strong to begin with....When Spock died in the Wrath of Khan I still believed in him.

Ananse's Web said...

I agree with Amadeo. It was a great read -- I oculdnt put it down and it was interesting to me more than anything - you should read angels and demons...good one.
I will be in the the movie when it comes out

Der Ozzman said...

Yes the Da Vinci code is fiction. There's no disputing that. I think that it even says that in the book itself.

However, people get very antsy when you mess with subjects that are deemed "untouchable". So even though the book is a fake per se, it makes some real-sounding accusations.

Straight truth is good and so is straight fiction. However, it's the mix of truth and fiction that have people up in arms. Ponder this for a second: what would happen if someone wrote a book telling a completely different story (from the one we are used to) about a subject such as the Holocaust? Who knows how many people that would offend (and rightfully so)? I think it's the same here.

G. Cornelius said...

I don't get the big deal about??? I'll keep you posted

Campfyah said...

huummmm, now you got me interested.

I had no intention of reading the book, as I didn't see the need for the hype. I also didn't plan on running out to see the movie. But hearing you all say it's a good read, I might just give in. The hubby has the book and I might just take a peek at it.

Urban Sista said...

Amen!! Preach to the church!! It is fiction. People will believe what they want to believe and for some people, this is their new gospel. This book never, for one moment, made me question any belief I had. It would take a lot more than Dan Brown to make me wonder if what I thought was right and true for more than 30 years was wrong.

Inside Man said...

Just think, when the "War of the Worlds" book first came out people were seriously terrified that we were going to be invaded by Aliens. *sigh*.......

Anonymous said...

I gine wait fuh de movie doah!!

the damn boy said...

When I read it, I didn't see much "hoopla" over it. I was a bit shocked over the whole things about the Holy Grail etc. Primarily because the book gives the illusion that most of the things in it are real. But, as you said, it is fiction. And is on the shelves as such. I would want to see the movie adaptation of it, simply because I want to see the visualization of the things in the book. Luckily, I'm not too caught up in the whole controversy of it, etc.

Anonymous said...

Just this week I made the same comment (I'll wait for the movie) to a co-worker who I saw reading this book but now I might just have to tek a borrow...yes, I'm cheap and not ashamed to admit it.

Rose said...

The book made someone question their faith....yeah they had little faith much smaller than a mustard seed.... No book can make me question my faith, Not even Dan Brown...I haven't read it and don't desire to either....

chrome said...

make that 18 people so far lol! i've resisted reading this book cos i hate the hype. a few years ago it was Harry Potter. before that Zadie Smith. and it goes on. I honestly don't know how the marketing people do it. should get them to promote my blog.

Read/Watch a movie on the same theme ages ago and as a piece of fiction i just cant get attracted. maybe later. Read "1984" again. now that's food for thought in these surreal times.

princessdominique said...

I don't the hype over the book either...

Honest said...

Ah man now I'm really curious and might have to go out and read the book. I've heard about it, saw it on the bookshelves all over the place for years but I've never had the urge to buy it and read it.

SP said...

See, you got more than 20 people reading this!

I haven't read the book. I have it at home because my mother read it, but I just haven't gotten to it. I agree with you that fiction is fiction. People are making way too much out of it.

Mad Bull said...

The book is definitely fiction, but as someone else commented, Dan Brown interweaves lots of facts to make you start to wonder just how much of this is true...
The thing is, the book never ever claims that God isn't God, or that Jesus wasn't God. The major claim it makes was that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene! Now I don't know if thats true or not, but if it were true, that would not bother me one bit. Who am I to tell God that He can't get married if He wants, or that I don't approve of His choice.
And if He was married and had (K/k)ids, would that make him any less of a God? I don't think so. Whats your take on that?

slybabyk said...

I remember being shocked when I got to the Mary Magdeline part, but I think that's because I was primed to be shocked, while I was reading the book a girlfriend kept asking, "Are you there yet? Have you gotten to 'THE' part yet?" LOL

I liked the book because I like books that are written in such a way that the plot is plausible/believable (mind you my imagination is broad). Funnily enough Berry has a book out called the Third Secret which drops just as much of a bombshell, but there's no hype about it.

For me I guess I don't place as much store in the church as others do so I won't be shellshocked if it comes out that the church has been supressing info. I'm Catholic, yes, but it's my faith, my belief in Jesus Christ dying to save us, that's important not the man-led church.

jelli said...

I have not nor do I plan to read or see the movie. My sister is read it and it had an affect on her but she said it didn't make her question her faith.