Did The Da Vinci Code offend anyone here

[PixieDust32]

I remember reading The DaVinci Code and saying to my DH that I had read pretty much the same story about 10 years ago...which turned out to be the book by those guys that tried to sue Dan Brown. The premises are really that close, though one purports to be fact, the other fiction. I seem to remember some deviation in the endings, it's all popped out of my head a long time ago though.

Yup! Holy Blood Holy Grail.

 

[tar heel]

I did not find it offensive b/c it never purported to be nonfiction. I can certainly see why members of Opus Dei object to it, though. I also can understand why people might be bothered by the story b/c it's turning religious "truths" upside down. I truly don't understand why this book rather than Angels and Demons became the big hit.

People are sensitive about artistic treatments of their faith. I found the movie, The Passion of the Christ, for example, quite offensive b/c it was so widely embraced as the definitive account of Jesus' death. As a nonCatholic, I had a lot of trouble with the outlandish (to me) parts based on writings by Catholic mystics and was also bothered by the heavy reliance on the Gospel of John -- probably the one least read in my church. And that new Ten Commandments on TV last week -- where did they get some of that stuff?

 

[ashjohnson80]

I wasn't offended by it because it's fiction. But I know a lot of people that are. I went to my family's church on Easter and they are starting a new series of sermons concerning The Da Vinci Code to help Christians get through this "crisis", or something.

 

[texasthree]

I LOVED the book and I cant wait for the movie!!

 

[PixieDust32]

I LOVED the book and I cant wait for the movie!!

 

[susan1]

hi
i wasn't offended by the content, i was more offended by the bad grammar and childish writing style. it really was very badly written. how can you freeze and turn your head slowly?1

 

[Viking]

I consider the previous book, actually, Angels and Demons, to be one of the most enjoyable books I've ever read. Da Vinci Code was also extremely good. Since I believe much of the Bible is fiction (sorry folks), I cannot really comment on the controversy because it is just a fiction versus fiction thing to me.

Exactly my opinion - on the books, and on the bible

 

[Viking]

It is important to remember that, while the book is fiction, some of the details within it were based on fact, and pretty reliably shake some of the assertions that the Roman Catholic Church contends is truth. That was the reason for the controversy, really. If it was just a fabrication of lies clothed in fiction it wouldn't have captured much attention. It was the small bits of uncomfortable fact that was woven into the story that caused such concern in those who would rather their beliefs no be challenged.

It is also to remember that the bible also is fiction based on a few facts - additionally it has been translated many times back and forth and so it is to assume that most of its content has been considerably distorted.
This at least hasn't happened to Dan Brown's books
I loved to solve the riddles in the book by mself and having been to Rome, London and Paris I was able to solve more than half of them before reading the solution in the book.

 

[puggymom]

I was raised Catholic and my mother is a devout Catholic. She knew I wanted to read it, so she actually bought it for me as a gift. She knows how I loved it and can't wait to see the movie (even with Tom Hanks in the lead ). She has never said a word about it, she knows it's fiction. She even read it herself and enjoyed it.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I am Catholic and I have read it. I thought Angels and Demons was a far better book. I have read all of his books (got them free from a friend) and all but A&D were extremely predicable. I figured out where Mary was buried in the first 50 or so pages of the book. Sorry but Dan Brown is not a great writer.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I thought it was alright. I thought some of the language was a little distracting, as I had no idea what half the words meant. Also, some of the book was a little graphic if you ask me...aka creepy sex stuff!

Read some of his other books. He does have a creepy sex side to them too.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I've read Angles and Demons too, but I read it after The DaVinci Code. I also read Deception Point. Has anyone read Digital Fortress? I'm thinking about reading it also (as soon as I finish Night Fall by Nelson DeMille - great book btw).

I read all 4 of these books and only A&D is good.

 

[pixiemomma]

Sorry but Dan Brown is not a great writer.

Yeah, I have to agree with you. I finally read The da Vinci Code and I was surprised how poorly written it is. I guess I was just expecting a better written book from all the hype. It reminded me of that garbage James Patterson now mass-produces.

I never read Holy Blood Holy Grail but I remember my mother reading it. It may be on my bookshelf, I will have to look.

No, I did not find The da Vinci Code offensive.

 

[mrsltg]

I was only offended by the stupidity of it at the end. I wasn't fond of the author presenting opinion as fact but a little research on my own revealed what was true and what was baloney. I won't see the movie - too stupid of an ending.

 

[declansdad]

Didn't offend me. Brown has stated many times that it is a work of fiction so why should it bother the Catholic Church. Unless there is something to the story....

 

[Free4Life11]

Read some of his other books. He does have a creepy sex side to them too.

No thanks. Enough creepy sex freaks in this world...don't want to read about it!

 

[cardaway]

It is important to remember that, while the book is fiction, some of the details within it were based on fact, and pretty reliably shake some of the assertions that the Roman Catholic Church contends is truth. That was the reason for the controversy, really. If it was just a fabrication of lies clothed in fiction it wouldn't have captured much attention. It was the small bits of uncomfortable fact that was woven into the story that caused such concern in those who would rather their beliefs no be challenged.

Exactly.

 

[ckay87]

Read some of his other books. He does have a creepy sex side to them too.

Wow, this book is really popular with my sons friends. I just got DS a copy for Easter. Does that make me mother of the year? I was going to read it after him, since he was so anxious. Maybe bad idea?

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I read both Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons...sorry but I totally missed any creepy sex in either one. Guess I need to read it again...

 

[DisneyDotty]

Read "DaVinci" first, then "Angels." Liked "DaVinci" for its mathematical puzzles/references. Although I liked "Angels" for its details re: Vatican, I felt like it was so similar in style to "DaVinci" that I'd already read it!
I am Catholic (well, sorta--but that's another issue) and was not at all offended by "DaVinci." Had a discussion with my Priest who also enjoyed "DaVinci" and had much fewer issues with it that he does with the "Left Behind" series. (Another thread. Sorry)
However, my evangelical friend was very offended by Brown's suggestion that the Bible was manmade (and therefore may not be the be-all and end-all of religious information). She insists the Bible is all from God (doesn't really explain why Protestants and Catholics have different Bibles, then, does it?)
My sister's sister-in-law who's a member of Opus Dei was VERY offended by the book--even wrote a rebuttal against it in her annual Christmas letter.
It's fiction, people. Just fiction.