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Breaking The Da Vinci Stranglehold
As we all know from reading about books like 'Breaking The Da Vinci Code," there's a sizable contingent of people who earnestly believe there's truth in them thar clues. A friend who lives overseas recently remarked that she'd like to just shout "Dan Brown is writing FICTION!" whenever someone in her circle starts to get either overly enthusiastic or overly indignant about the pseudo-religious setup of the celebrated bestsller.
Yes, Brown is writing fiction -- if he's claimed otherwise, I mercifully don't know about it -- and while I could spend a good long time talking about what's wrong with 'The Da Vinci Code' from a critic's point of view. But what's the point of that? It's a fast-paced read with some interesting ideas, even if it isn't the world's greatest novel. I'm more interested in spending time examining why so many people are drawn to this book. What do they love about it?
Is it the promise of an age-old mystery, solved? Is it the prospect of thinking about big questions and facing clear evil? Is it the thrill of the chase? The challenge of puzzle-solving? All of the above?
I recently read an old newspaper column about a woman searching for the perfect read. She had four criteria, and when she sent them to a book expert, the expert replied "If I knew about a book that fit your requirements, I'd have written it and made a lot of money." What Dan Brown seems to have done is figured out the requirements for a whole bunch of people and used those to write the book they wanted -- regardless of literary merit (and I am not saying he wasn't aiming for it, just saying that his focus was definitely elsewhere).
Lots of people have done this with all kinds of literary forms, but Brown has tapped into a peculiar strain of the Zeitgeist with his work. Not only do we want brainy heroes, vulnerable heroines, and international intrigue, we want historical, moral and spiritual significance.
Is it too much to ask that someone write a suspenseful thriller with compelling characters who face historical, moral, and spiritual matters? Oh, wait. That would be....'Les Miserables' by Victor Hugo.
Stay tuned, readers, for this Book Maven's list of What to Read While You're Waiting for the Next Da Vinci Code.
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I think people are fascinated with mysteries in history, what could have been. Brown delivers by taking a nugget of actual fact, and then building his story upon the facts. And of course, the action and suspense adds to it. Readers want intelligent books, yes, but they also want action and suspense, they want a good story. Da Vinci Code reminds me of Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross. It's the same thing: she takes a nugget of historical fact or legend, and builds a story on it, with lots of swashbuckling action and suspense. In the case of Pope Joan, the author deals with the legend that there was a woman who disguised herself as a man in the 8th century so she could enter a monastery and obtain an education. The woman ends up becoming Pope. I think Da Vinci Code fans would really enjoy Pope Joan, it's the same thing: a suspenseful thriller with compelling characters--who may or may not have existed.
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My theory on why The Davinci Code is so popular is because the story suggests that there may be some evidence out there regarding gender equality in divinity. I think the world is waking up to the fact that women need to be more fully represented in our mythologies, religions, and cultures. This book dares to suggest through fiction that the "truth" about Christianity's beginnings is much richer than present day beliefs. The fascination with the book, which almost seems on a subconscious level, is a reflection of the hunger for a more representative religious posibility. As you point out, he isn't the most skillfull writer, but the message behind The Davinici Code has definitely tapped a nerve. His other books are entertaining to read but they are not about this sacred feminine principle. I believe that's why Dan Brown's other stories haven't taken off like The Davinci Code.
8/23/05 8:03 PM
1-The book wasn't that well-written
2-All those little historical nuggets, given a new spin, made the reader feel smart
I found that last detail rather interesting. Having read DaVinci Code, I would agree that the story makes you think. As a Christian, I also took offense at certain aspects, but in the end, you've said it well: the book is fiction and best treated as such.
The Wildcat
http://journals.aol.com/knigh