posted September 08, 2003 08:52 PM         

But let me say that I did take a good look at DaVinci's "Last Supper," and that is indeed a woman sitting next to Jesus...

posted September 09, 2003 08:49 AM         

But it gets complex and complicated. Many of the clues are connected to Leonardo Da Vinci and his works, and secret societies, some of which Da Vinci and other historical figures were prominent in...and biblical mysteries revealed.

It's a lot of fun to read, and might inspire you to do some historical research. It's unknown, at least to me, how much liberty the author took with 'facts,' though he obviously knows his stuff!

Tasty tidbit to whet your appetite: according to the novel, Jesus was in fact married, and planned to pass the torch of his teachings to his wife. This didn't sit well with the male apostles. As you take a good look at "The Last Supper," especially after it was cleaned, the apostle on Jesus' right (your left as you face the painting) is actually...a woman, and is allegedly his wife.

posted September 09, 2003 08:02 PM         

I believe the author did use artistic license with the story. His comments about Disney are unfounded. The Lion King is recent and Disney cannot be held accountable for a few artists that decided to hide a message since he's been dead for so long. there are a few other viewpoints he has which are a bit off as well. But I think the book brings to light how history can be distorted to best reflect who is in power. I'd like to see more evidence that Jesus' divinity was voted on.

posted September 10, 2003 02:23 AM         

Does the book talk more into depth about these?

Dean/o.

posted September 10, 2003 09:29 AM         

Now, keeping in mind that it's fiction, the book alleges that Mary was not only his wife and a disciple, but the one chosen by Jesus to carry on his works, and lead the apostles. Jesus allegedly had great respect for women and their power. She was from a very wealthy family; it was jealous men who started the rumor that she was a prostitute, to discredit her. She fled to France where she bore Jesus' child, and his lineage was to have been kept relatively secret. There are secret societies (haven't we all heard of those??), that knew and protected these sorts of secrets. Da Vince was supposedly the head of one of these societies.

There are other non-fiction books that detail the alleged descendants of Jesus. I even have some of them, though I haven't completely read them. They're sitting around here somewhere, amongst the many other books...

In any event, it's a very well written novel, fast paced, you won't want to put it down and it will leave you curious and thinking...can't do much better than that, can you?

posted September 16, 2003 03:04 PM         

I read this book practically in one sitting and then had to go buy Angels and Demons(about the Catholic Church and the Illuminati) to read on vacation. (They're both good but I guess I probably like Da Vinci Code better.)

Personally I think there is MUCH truth told in the form of fiction. (Didn't Linda say that was the "safest" way to tell some truths??)

I know I toured the Biltmore Mansion in North Carolina right after reading this and there are indeed "codes" everywhere once you know where and what to look for.

I also read Holy Blood Holy Grail and I'm about to start the Templar Revelation but after reading the Nag Hammadi works (especially the gospel of Phillip and the Gospel of Mary Magdelene) there is no question in my mind that Mary and Jesus had a very "special" relationship. What I'm still puzzling over is who was the teacher and who was the student???

And if this "version" of HIStory doesn't sit well....it's still a great thriller! Hard to put down!!