Angels and Demons/The Da Vinci Code

[AngylBelle]

From what I have heard, there is alot of controversy amongst Christian readers and these two books by Dan Brown. The Pope released a statement recently asking the Catholic church to ban the books, from my understanding. I myself, LOVE these two books, and while I too am a Christian, I do not read into them seriously, but rather take them for thrilling FICTION with a religious mystery twist. Even though certain parts of the book may have been researched for accuracy, I do not think it puts a bad spin on Christianity nor do I think it represents history. What are some other opinions?

 

[SOLDOUT4HIM]

Well, like you said they are fiction. It is sad that some ppl are thinking the junk in the DaVinci Code is historical. Even the author has publicly stated that the content is not true.

 

[Nienor]

they're fiction

i get sick of hearing about the Da Vinci code though. it's not that good, i'd take Angels and Demons over it any day.

 

[Mags94]

What is the Da Vinci Code all about anyway?

 

[luc]

Well, like you said they are fiction. It is sad that some ppl are thinking to junk in the DaVinci Code is historical. Even the author has publicly stated that the content is not true.

these things could have easily happened; theres no real way to prov it true or false.

it makes me wonder y the church would be so anxious to ban a fictional book though..............


i cant wait for the move with Tom Hanks!

 

[MaddiesDad]

I stay away from books that get into christian-catholic-lutheran-jewish-whatever religious politics..I don't enjoy the division it causes.I have better stuff to do..

 

[luc]

its an amazing book no matter how offensive it may be

 

[glo]

these things could have easily happened; theres no real way to prov it true or false.

oh don't be silly. there's no "real way" to prove that even Santa Claus is real or not. i don't see you going up about how everyone says he's fake.
so what you said there, really doesn't make any sense.

it makes me wonder y the church would be so anxious to ban a fictional book though..............

the book opens, claiming:

Fact: (...) All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate.

the fact that he says that is completely messed up, with even secular historians and scholars blowing him off as nonsense.

its an amazing book no matter how offensive it may be

really? i've heard it really isn't good in some places. like, he got tired of writing and wrote like he was in grade school or something.
most say he isn't a good writer in many parts. so i would probably be safe to say, contrawise to your opinion, "the consensus of those i know who have read the book, say that it isn't a literary masterpiece, just a good quick read."


God Bless.

 

[Nienor]

most say he isn't a good writer in many parts. so i would probably be safe to say, contrawise to your opinion, "the consensus of those i know who have read the book, say that it isn't a literary masterpiece, just a good quick read."

that about sums up DVC, but i thought A and D was a really good, still not quite the top ten list, but its up there

 

[rosenherman]

Wonderful work of fiction, real page turner and the plot twists are inspired. He's got two other books out, "Deception Point" and "Digital Fortress" those are really good as well and not easy to put down.

 

[GaelSong]

I for one loved the books. Banning them now is like locking the stable after the horse has bolted. They are already in paperback and everyone who is going to has probably read them.

 

[Nienor]

Wonderful work of fiction, real page turner and the plot twists are inspired. He's got two other books out, "Deception Point" and "Digital Fortress" those are really good as well and not easy to put down.

when i read Digital Fortress i had already read the other three books. i knew who the villain was long before the book ended, it gets somewhat predictable. but they are really good and if you want to read Brown w/out the religious stuff try both of these two

 

[adams apple]

I have read through about half of the Da Vinci code. I didn't find it all that exciting and it iasn't very well written over all. If you're going to tackle an interesting subject you could atleast make it good, allthough millions of people seem to love it.

 

[rosenherman]

I have read through about half of the Da Vinci code. I didn't find it all that exciting and it iasn't very well written over all. If you're going to tackle an interesting subject you could atleast make it good, allthough millions of people seem to love it.

That's the way I feel about Tolkien, they are circuitous, and boring.
Now, where can I hide from all the Hobbits?

 

[FoogieFighters]

I think all four of his books are kinda the same thing, but a little different as well (If that makes sense?? :-{) A&D Is the best though. Although we can't prove anything is fact of fiction, and we should mess with religion, we don't know for sure about anything, that's why it's called faith...I mean you do have to admit the bible does rag on the women ...Santa Clause isn't real?!?!?!?!?!......I'm heartbroken

 

[glo]

Although we can't prove anything is fact of fiction, and we should mess with religion, we don't know for sure about anything, that's why it's called faith...I mean you do have to admit the bible does rag on the women

the Bible doesn't particularily rag on women. that's just the way the culture was back in the old days.
but then again, most American WASPs tend to take it all literally, so... i do suppose if you took that same view, women are being "ragged on."

^did that make sense? not really eh?

 

[FoogieFighters]

Eh it kinda did. But that was kinda the point...The bible was written by men and stuff like that...I don't personally care haha. I was just stating something :-D

 

[Injured Soldier]

As people said, it is fiction. But obviously Dan Brown means fiction in a different sense we mean fiction. On his site he says:

The Da Vinci Code is a novel and therefore a work of fiction. While the book's characters and their actions are obviously not real, the artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals depicted in this novel all exist (for example, Leonardo Da Vinci's paintings, the Gnostic Gospels, Hieros Gamos, etc.). These real elements are interpreted and debated by fictional characters. While it is my belief that some of the theories discussed by these characters may have merit, each individual reader must explore these characters' viewpoints and come to his or her own interpretations. My hope in writing this novel was that the story would serve as a catalyst and a springboard for people to discuss the important topics of faith, religion, and history.

He thinks he has written a book with fictional characters based on historical evidence, and those fictional characters use these firm historical facts to discuss interpretations with merit. Actually taking up his invitation to look up the sources themselves shows many of these facts are horrible twistings of the truth.

In my opinion, Dan Brown is a poor writer that wants to be a historical writer, but isn't good enough to be. So he wrote a work of fiction with a lot of tasty "hooks" in there to tickle our ears, so if people want to believe the supposed less than fictional aspects, they do. As soon as someone questions the historical value, the Dan Brown fans say "Whoa, it is a work of fiction", and that is the line that ends the discussion. Far from being a springboard to discuss faith, religion and history, the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons has confused the issue for people who don't neccissarily live and breathe history.

One last question:

Someone pointed out Digital Fortress and Deception Point. This is THE first reference I've heard of someone reading those books. Most people read the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons. Yet all four are works of fiction written by the same author, in a similar style. All speak of secret societies, all riddles, all conspiracies to solve. Why do people only show interest in the ones that are confirming shaky beliefs about Christianity and not the others if the merit of the books is purely as works of fiction? Individuals here may see it as a work of fiction, but the actions of the population suggest otherwise to the feeble bleating of "fiction".

 

[FoogieFighters]

Umm well I like them all...And besides there are a lot of books of conspiracys with the government, but not as many with things like Angels and Deamons, I mean that's your own opinion, but I like the books, all four of them. No matter what it's about. It's a good read.

 

[Injured Soldier]

Umm well I like them all...And besides there are a lot of books of conspiracys with the government, but not as many with things like Angels and Deamons, I mean that's your own opinion, but I like the books, all four of them. No matter what it's about. It's a good read.

I think I should clarify. I'm not saying you shouldn't enjoy the books if you do. I'm glad you like all four books. But my words were applied to a wider trend than individual preference. There are lot of books as good as or better written than A&D and DVC that don't even have a quarter of the sales. Which is somthing that needs to be explained. There is a wider trend at work than just enjoyable reading, but this doesn't exclude enjoyable reading if you happen to enjoy it. Enjoy your day Foogie Fighters.