Duh Vinci Code
The Da Vinci Code is now through its big opening weekend. And, as I expected, the questions are coming. I find it rather revealing that we really know so little about history that a novel/movie can make some rather bizarre claims and yet folks begin to say "I didn't know that."
Dan Brown's novel, with 60.5 million copies sold, is not that good of a novel. Certainly, it is the sort of book that does well while you are at the beach or the lake for a weekend. No, I think that it's unprecedented popularity comes from the exotic claims about Jesus and Mary Magdalene and its conspiracy theory approach to the Bible and the Church.
"I didn't know that." Of course you didn't know it. Because until Dan Brown wrote it, it wasn't true. But now, even though the novel is a NOVEL, suddenly half-baked ideas take on a life of their own.
If you are looking for something to help sort out the mess that the Da Vinci Code is stirring up then considering the following:
Da Vinci Code
N. T. Wright
Christianity Today
Carson Reed
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Reader Comments (3)
I must differ with you just a bit; I found the "Code" a ripper of tale, well-crafted and convincing (even for those who easily see the disparities with scripture and history). RottenTomatoes.com (a must for your web favorites relative to films) gives the film a 21% favorable rating ("rotten", based on their criteria). Though that may be, I still plan to see it all the same. The current global flap over this film only convinces me more to buck the critics (professional and religious) and watch a good tale of intrigue, after which I'll walk out entertained and leave the heresies with the dropped popcorn kernels on the theater floor.
BTW, I've yet to find any of Brown's works in the religious section of my B&N or Borders Bookstore but firmly ensconced in the fiction category. Too bad the same can not be said for that pulp Tim LaHaye puts out.
Morris
I would gladly concur with you at least in the matter of the Left Behind series. It's too bad a disclaimer isn't issued with that series of novels as well. Something like "Right-wing fantasy" would work well.
One could suggest, as N.T. Wright does, that Brown does an injustice to Christian faith from the left and LaHaye does an injustice from the right.
Regarding Brown's writing skills, I realize that folks have many different points of view. To my own taste I would rather read Clancy, Grisham, Updike, Carre, or even Patterson.
CER