Fiction, or Fiction based on "Fact"?

Rating: 5/10 (18 May 2006)

I have to address the "But it's only fiction!" mantra. I wonder what the author himself thinks of this view. I wonder if he too would tell everyone not to take it as anything besides a made-up story. Oh, wait, he actually answered the question.
Q. How much of this novel is based on fact? A. "All of it. The paintings, locations, historical documents, and organizations described in the novel all exist." (interview by bookreporter)
Furthermore, apparently fans don't think it's all just fiction either: "People who have read the novel by Dan Brown are twice as likely to believe its central theme - that Jesus Christ had children by Mary Magdalene, the research found." (article in The Daily Mail)
To understand those who are upset by the book and movie, try to imagine if a book were written about the Holocaust, claiming it never happened. Then let's say that rather than the author intending that book to be a total, complete fabrication, he insisted repeatedly (including in the preface) that while the story is fiction, the historical events in it are based on fact. People would be understandably upset. So Christians, while they may enjoy the story, are understandably bothered when they read an author with a lousy track record on history (some of the most basic facts about Leonardo da Vinci are completely false; similarly most of the so-called "evidence" of conspiracy) claim that "almost everything our fathers taught us about Christ is false." (p.235).
And someone please tell Dan Brown that "da Vinci" is Leonardo's address, not his name.