Brown has stressed the ostensible accuracy of the book on his web site and in interviews. They have gone to great lengths to mislead people into thinking that the novel has a historical basis. They deserve especially sharp criticism for this, and when criticism is made they cannot hide behind the "it's just fiction" allegation after having made such efforts to convince the reader that it is not "just fiction. (p.15)" Blomberg expresses that there is not a shred of historical evidence that Jesus ever married Mary Magdelene or ever fathered children. Another blatantly fictitious portion of the Da Vinci Code is the claim that "more than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament." Add up everything that was ever called a gospel in the first half-millennium of Christianity and you come up with about two dozen documents (p.2).

According to Richards, if you set out to read the Da Vinci Code (something I don't recommend you do) the first word you will encounter, in bold uppercase letters, is the word "FACT." Shortly thereafter, Brown writes, "All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate" (p.1). And the average reader, with no special knowledge or training in these areas, will assume the statement is true. But there is a deception going on here. Whether Dan Brown is being deliberately deceptive, or whether he believes all this rubbish himself and is passing it on in all sincerity, it's impossible to know.

All in all, the Da Vinci Code is definitely a controversial book that has become popular among many and has been on the best sellers list. It has its pros and cons when it comes to book reviews and has definitely gotten its share of feedback, from both ends of the spectrum. If you have not read...

(2004). An online review of current biblical and theological studies. Retrieved April 24, 2005, from Denver Journal Web site: http://denverseminary.edu/dj/articles2004
Cracking the da vinci code" (2004). Retrieved April 24, 2004, from Catholic Answers Web site: http://www.catholic.com/library/cracking_da_vinci_code.asp

Crais, R. (2004). The da vinci code book review. Retrieved April 24, 2005, from New York Times Best Selling Author Web site: http://www.danbrown.com/novels/davinci_code/reviews.html

Cussler, C. (2004). The da vinci code book review. Retrieved April 24, 2005, from New York Times Best Selling Author Web site: http://www.danbrown.com/novels/davinci_code/reviews.html

Greer, W.R. (2003). The da vince code is intelligent and fun. Retrieved April 24, 2005, from Double Day Web site: http://reviewsofbooks.com/da_vinci_code/review

Kirby, K. (2005). The da vinci code book review. Retrieved April 24, 2005, from Powell's City of Books of the Portland Tribune Web site: http://www.danbrown.com/novels/davinci_code/reviews.html

MacEwan, V. (2003). The da vinci code. Retrieved April 24, 2005, from Pop Matters Web site: http://www.popmatters.com/books/reviews

Maslin, J. (2003). Spinning a thriller from the louver. Retrieved April 24, 2005, from the New York Times Web site: http://www.danbrown.com/novels/davinci_code/nytimes.html

Richards, K. (n.d.). The da vinci code - fact or fiction? Retrieved April 24, 2005, from Taylor, C. (2003). "The da vinci code" by Dan Brown book review. Retrieved April 24, 2005, from Salon Web site: http://www.salon.com/books/review/2003/da_vinci