Comment

Comment by Jo Jerome on November 30, 2009 at 8:31pm

Being an armchair student of biblical and church history, pretty much all of the elements brought up by Dan Brown in DaVinci Code are indeed historically accurate facts, scriptures, symbology, and other potential clues.

However, the narrative itself is indeed fiction, made up of fictional characters, each of whom take a different pool of facts and draw different conclusions and theories.

The Knights Templar do indeed have some curious events in their past and elements shrouded in mystery. The Priory of Sion is indeed a supposed offshoot that might or might not exist. I love it when someone says, "There's no direct evidence that this secret society existed." Well, that could well mean they didn't exist, but couldn't that also mean the secret was well kept?

Again, looking closely, the facts and clues are scarce and the hypothesis that stem from them are far-reaching. But not entirely impossible. And certainly fitting of the characters who make those hypothesis.

Which after all is what good narrative is all about, right? ;-)

Comment by Howard S. Dunn on November 30, 2009 at 2:09pm

I read the books fairly close to when they came out and just saw this film the other night. I'd like to make the following point:

Dan Brown seems to come up with and ending and then back into a kind of treasure hunt with European art and architecture as the clues along the way. This makes for an entertaining read on a long train ride or whatnot.

All discussions - one way or another - about the 'legitimacy' of the content or message are akin to a New York times half-page review of the Batman movie that had the penguin in it as an 'antisemitic' rant. Apparently, the penguin was a barely cloaked symbol of the stingy Jewish banker or something. Puh-leaze. Brown books are more akin to 'The Amazing Race' than scholarly forays into the hidden conspiracy behind religion.

BTW - the catholic church actually IS a conspiracy. ANd no amount of tinfoil will make them go away.

Comment by Jo Jerome on November 30, 2009 at 12:12pm

In my personal entertainment opinion: I liked the book Angels and Demons a little more than DaVinci Code, but I thought the film adaptation of DaVinci Code was better. Did enjoy them both as books and as films though.

Both, especially the film versions (perhaps trying to throw a bone to a Xian audience?), seemed to end on a similar theme of 'It would be worse to expose this scam to a faithful world as too many are still reigned in by faith.' I disagree - would rather see every scam shouted from the rooftop and deal with the little bit of aftermath. But still...

Comment by Kyle Ziggy on November 30, 2009 at 2:58am

Rofl Grudgetta, someone's having a g'day. :D

Comment by Kyle Ziggy on November 30, 2009 at 2:57am

Hehe Skepticcat, that made me smile. I think I'll start on that book soon enough myself. It's inevitable.

Comment by Little Name Atheist on November 30, 2009 at 2:37am