• The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown: thoughts?

Hey everyone,

Has anyone has read The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown? I myself have just finished the book and am really interested in the opinions of other readers. I know it's been pretty influential since coming out; in negative ways (Lebanon has banned it) and positive ways (it has been on many best seller's lists for long periods of time). It stayed on the New York Times best seller list of hardcover fiction for a full year. Unbelievable for a book that is certainly not a masterpiece of literature, although I can understand why people find it so fascinating: the facts and historical recounts are ridiculously high in volume. They kept me glued to the pages and got me excited to do some research after I finished the book.

I realize that this may be a touchy subject for several Catholics to address (especially on a Catholic diocese website), but I feel that maybe it's not inappropriate after all. Maybe this is the place to discuss it. I know I am not the first youth to address these questions. If our youth have questions about the Catholic faith (that may or may not reflect skepticism), I encourage them to come forward and share. Even the strongest people in faith have doubts - and it's okay to voice them.

I am asking other readers of this controversal book to share their thoughts with me on the topics Dan Brown addressed (Jesus and Mary Magdalene; Da Vinci's hidden symbolism in his paintings - The Last Supper, Virgin of the Rocks; the lost respect for females in the Church; Opus Dei's role; etc.).

I look forward to reading your comments.

Sincerely,

Alyson Spina