[Nathans_Dad]

Da Vinci code in a nutshell:

Basic premise is that Jesus was not celibate but was actually married to Mary Magdalene. He had several children while alive. Those children were hidden away from persecution after the crucifixion by Mary Magdalene and were eventually brought by boat to France where they became integrated into a French line of kings. There is a secret society (the Knights Templar that Da Vinci was a member of) whose job it was to protect the "Holy Grail" which was not the cup used at the last supper as is commonly thought but was another "vessel" that carries Christ's blood, i.e. Mary Magdalene and her descendants.

That's the basic premise, the story itself is sort of a murder mystery with a detective story woven through it as a modern day expert on religion tries to uncover several clues that lead to the "truth" about the Holy Grail.

It really is an excellent work of fiction and an enjoyable read. Some people are getting all worked up because they think it is somehow offering an alternate explanation of the gospel which Dan Brown never said was his intent.

I think the Catholic Church is upset because of how the book portrays Opus Dei which is a group within the Catholic Church.