The book has received a considerable amount of free publicity this past year. At least one broadcast network (ABC) has aired a "news special" examining claims made in the book. It seems to have inspired a cottage industry of sorts, with a number of books claiming to either "crack the code", or debunk its theories. Of course, there's a movie version coming out this summer. And there is a copyright infringement case in Great Britain.
All of these events have given the novel a considerable amount of free publicity, and I hesitate to add to the list. However, if I save you the expense of purchase, I have served a valuable purpose.
The novel is part of a literary sub-genre that I have been aware of since about the 80s. This genre might be considered a variant of historical romance, in which the reader may learn some history while enjoying a fiction of flirtation, pursuit, and marriage. One example of this sub-genre is the Tony Hillerman novels, in which anthropological and historical information about Native Americans in the Four Corners region is conveyed within the context of a mystery novel.
There are a number of mystery series which fit into this sub-genre. The Rabbi Small mysteries conveys information about Jewish lore and beliefs. William Kienzle's mysteries include explanations (and opinions on) Roman Catholic beliefs. Andrew Greeley's Father Blackie mysteries serve as his means to explicate Greeley's theology.
The Da Vinci Code shares the most with Fr. Greeley's work, as Mr. Brown promotes a certain theological view through the course of what is intended as a suspense novel.
In the unlikely event that you have been asleep for the past year and a half, and have been unaware of the novel's theological premise, here it is: Jesus secretly married Mary Magdalene, and their union produced a daughter. Naturally, this information calls into question Jesus' divinity, and the Roman Catholoic Church's position on women in the ministry.
This is far from a new theory. That copyright lawsuit I mentioned above was brought by the authors of Holy Blood, Holy Grail, a book which asserts the same claim, and which was promoted as non-fiction. Gossip concerning Jesus and Mary Magdalene dates as early as the early Christian Church, if not even earlier.
Still, judging from the low-level controversy brewing around the book, it's a new theory to many people. And if the book delivers this theory in a pleasing way, what harm is there?
Honestly, I can find no harm, except for my opinion that the book fails as a novel. One of the major flaws is the manner in which the author delivers his theory: extended dialogues between characters. The action grinds to a halt about every-other chapter for these dialogues.
Another flaw is character development and consistency. I'm thinking in particular of the female lead, and this flaw is striking given the pro-feminist slant of the novel.
When we first meet the female lead, she is assertive and directs much of the action. About half-way through the novel, however, I became aware that she had ceased taking the lead. After this point, her primary function seemed to be as an audience for the men while they lectured on Da Vinci, Opus Dei, and so on.
So, check the book out of the library if you must satisfy some lingering curiousity about it. But don't bother increasing Mr. Brown's bank account by purchasing it.
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