Tuesday, January 29, 2008

book report


ok so I haven't been the best blogger lately. I have been a little preoccupied.

I've been reading. I just finished the Da Vinci Code. I know I'm like the last person on the planet to read it.

On Sunday our Gospel Doctrine teacher started out the class by asking what we did last week. My mind went blank as peopled rattled off their adventurous week: skiing, Jazz game, traveled...etc. Then I remembered I've been annoyingly immersed in my book all week so I raised my hand and told the teacher I was reading the Da Vinci Code. We then started to talk about how it was interesting but not necessarily true...and can be a little far fetched in some spots- you know- just the normal conversation most would have about the book... then suddenly the second counselor in the stake presidency interrupts and as he holds up a book he says "what you should be reading is this,"Draw Closer to God" by Elder Eyring." I just started to laugh and I said, "well I'm not endorsing the Da Vinci Code or bearing my testimony about it, I was just saying what I did this week" The class was laughing and then it was over...or so I thought. Then I get a letter passed to me 10 minutes later from the 2nd Counselor and he apologized for what he said in front of everyone. I later told him I wasn't even offended and to not worry about it. Well on Monday he calls me! He apologized again but he had a different motive this time. He asked me if I was a return missionary and if I was the wife of the Elder's Quorum president. He knows already the answers to his questions so he continued on to tell me I needed to be careful what I read and what I say in front of others. I couldn't believe it! All I could say to him was "ok" not really knowing yet how to process the phone call and our conversation. Am I past feeling? Do any of you out there find the book offensive? I consider myself to be blessed with open mindedness and to simply enjoy research done on symbolism, cultures, history...even religion. I know things aren't true all the time but it is fun nonetheless to theorize, speculate, imagine...so maybe there is some logic to Christ getting married but honestly I just need to work on being a better visiting teacher...

anyway so I've decided out of much thought that I am not ashamed to have read the book. I disagree with some of it, liked some of it, want to go to Europe because of it... facinating places I tell you- my book was the illustraded edition-

While reading the Da Vinci Code I found it quite interesting how one could get so caught up in something good to where nothing but bad results from it. Bad choices, bad reasoning, bad morals- all for the power of knowing and finding the grail...a sacred righteous symbol of things most holy- a great lesson was taught in this book.

ok well that is it for now- I could obviously talk about the book more but maybe later when we are together sitting on couches and have all the time in the world.

7 comments:

Tami said...

Wow! That is interesting! I haven't read the book but I watched the movie just a little bit ago. I found it interesting too...and wouldn't think that it was anyway bad. It is just some people's belief on the subject. Weird!!!!!! That is all I can say!

Anonymous said...

SINNER!!! Just kidding. You should read Angel's and Demons, the prequel. I think it is even better. I've already told you that, but I wanted to remind you. I've also heard of a great Vampire series that I could loan you. :) Ah, the controversy of books. Good thing that guy wasn't in any of my literature courses at the BYU's.

Marne said...

Oh Tami, the book is FAR FAR better than the movie. FAR better. I loved the book. I couldn't put it down.

April, read "What DaVinci didn't know, for LDS readers". It is from an LDS point of view and it discusses all the ins and outs of the book, and the topics it brings up, like Christ being married. I learned a lot from it. Here is the Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/What-Vinci-Didnt-Know-Perspective/dp/1590386086

The Checks Mix said...

I LOVED the book! I just gleaned from it what I found fascinating and symbolic and threw out the far-fetched things. This book isn't written to be scripture just simply a fun adventure that gives some new insights to think about. Anyway, I really want to read the Twilight series if that is the "Vampire" series (you) Emily are talking about. Everyone is raving about it.

Unknown said...

you are so going to hell... book hell. p.s. I still have not read it...

The Pyper Fam said...

I loved the book! You have to take it for what its worth-- a good story! I read it a few years ago, before the movie and all the hype, and I had some people tell me, who hadn't even read it, that it was not a good book, and as a member of the church, I shouldn't read it. But let me tell you from one returned missionary to another, you shouldn't be ashamed for reading it, and even enjoying it. Its a fictional book, and that is that. So if you are a bad person for it, I'm right there with ya honey!:)
PS... there was a lady a few years ago in our ward who bore her testimony in sacrament meeting ONLY about how wrong the Da Vinci Code was and any parent should not let their child read the book or go to the movie. To each his own!

Delia D'Nell said...

I thought the book was interesting. When Chay told us the story of what happened yesterday I was in shock! It sounds like you handled it well!

By the way, I like his book "Angels and Demons" even more...