Yet another reason that TDVC is not "just a novel"

From a reader, who wishes to remain anonymous for obvious reasons:

My son attends a Catholic high school.  Last year, when he was a freshman, his history teacher offered extra credit to a student to to read this book.  I found that appalling, and let him know it.  Even though the book is "fiction", I have several coworkers who believe that much of the historical information in this book is true.  Apparently, the author gives that impression.  Catholics, and nonCatholics, are so ignorant of Church history that they just fall for anything.

Quite true. After all, the Chicago Tribune said Dan Brown's fourth novel is "brain candy" that "trans[mits] several doctorates' worth of fascinating history and learned speculation." The Library Journal opines that TDVC is "a compelling blend of history and page-turning suspense." And BookReporter.com states:

A stunning new thriller that will provoke much debate. Dan Brown's extensive research on secret societies and symbology adds intellectual depth to this page-turning thriller. His surprising revelations on Da Vinci's penchant for hiding codes in his paintings will lead the reader to search out renowned artistic icons as The Mona Lisa, The Madonna of the Rocks and The Last Supper. The Last Supper holds the most astonishing coded secrets of all and, after reading The Da Vinci Code, you will never see this famous painting in quite the same way again.

Well, we know a lot more about that "extensive research" now, thanks to the trial in London. Brown's reliance on Holy Blood, Holy Grail is obvious (regardless of whether or not it is plagiarism), as is his admitted reliance on The Templar Revelation for nearly everything in the novel about Leonardo da Vinci's life and artwork:

The Templar Revelation discussed secret Templar history and the possible involvement of Leonardo da Vinci. This Da Vinci connection fit well into my desire to write in Langdon's domain, the world of art. I became excited about using Leonardo da Vinci as an historical touchstone and plot device for my new novel. Bernini had been central to Angels & Demons and I had enjoyed writing that book. Moreover, I knew Blythe was an enormous fan of Leonardo da Vinci and would be eager to help me research. It was probably at about this time that I came up with the title The Da Vinci Code. ... Da Vinci is also the connection between art and the secret society that I chose to include in The Da Vinci Code - the Priory of Sion. Like Da Vinci's paintings, the Priory of Sion and Da Vinci's involvement with it is discussed in Templar Revelation. (Witness Statement, pars. 97, 102)

But if there are still those who think the novel is "just a novel," please take the time to read my article, "The 'It's Just Fiction!' Doctrine: Reading Too Little Into The Da Vinci Code" (March, 2005. IgnatiusInsight.com), which explain why that argument/cliche simply doesn't work.

Comments

[Owen]

One minute it's all just the facts and the next it's only fiction. The foppery of Brown is becoming clearer to more people all the time. However, my concern remains that people believe what they want to believe, as evidenced by Brown and especially as evidenced by his credible extreme feminist sources and their useage of their sources and I think as we shall see evidenced by the public who are willing taken in by little Ronnie's film. Audiences will, by then, know as much as they want to know about the trial and the actual facts but it will have little bearing on the impact of the film in their minds. They will believe what they want to believe, do what seems right in their own eyes, that is to say, the truth will only set free those who open their heart and mind and spirit to it. My concern is that this number will be small.

This in no way means we should relax our own effort to be informed and to inform others because it remains true that we save a soul and even one soul spared from eternity without Christ is worth whatever effort we expend. It's just that, all in all, the film will be a hit with the masses and we will continue to see a ripple effect in our culture for years to come.