HOW MUCH OF THIS NOVEL IS TRUE?
The Da Vinci Code is a novel and therefore a work of fiction. While the book's characters and their actions are obviously not real, the artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals depicted in this novel all exist (for example, Leonardo Da Vinci's paintings, the Gnostic Gospels, Hieros Gamos, etc.). These real elements are interpreted and debated by fictional characters. While it is my belief that some of the theories discussed by these characters may have merit, each individual reader must explore these characters' viewpoints and come to his or her own interpretations. My hope in writing this novel was that the story would serve as a catalyst and a springboard for people to discuss the important topics of faith, religion, and history.
BUT DOESN'T THE NOVEL'S "FACT" PAGE CLAIM THAT EVERY SINGLE WORD IN THIS NOVEL IS HISTORICAL FACT?
If you read the "FACT" page, you will see it clearly states that the documents, rituals, organization, artwork, and architecture in the novel all exist. The "FACT" page makes no statement whatsoever about any of the ancient theories discussed by fictional characters. Interpreting those ideas is left to the reader.
The Priory of Sion, a 1950's hoax, is not a real organization. Dan Brown's description of Westminster Abbey, as one example, is riddled with errors, as NT Wright describes here:
http://www.spu.edu/depts/uc/response/summer2k5/features/davincicode.asp
And in what you printed, Dan Brown admits that he believes the theories he puts in his book, despite their lack of any factual evidence, and obviously he wants his readers to believe them as well, and uses objectively false statements of history to try and accomplish this. His descriptions of history, as with the Council of Nicaea and Sir Isaac Newton, are objectively false as have been shown by many.