The Dan Brown Enigma by Graham A Thomas Page B

ideas on the origins of Christianity, Constantine and the Bible. ‘I was already familiar with much of this information, particularly that about Constantine, the Council of Nicea, and the surrounding politics,’ said Brown. ‘In general terms I have been aware of Constantine’s role in the origin of the Bible as we know it for many years. In addition, I researched the topic while preparing the content of Angels & Demons . But I read a lot more about the topic while writing The Da Vinci Code .’ [239]
    Blythe helped her husband research his novels and The Da Vinci Code in particular. Part of that was the Constantine document that she prepared for him. The chapter about Constantine is crucial to the book and talks about how Constantine had copies of the Bible made that did not include the Gospels of Mary or of Philip ‘which both allude to Mary Magdalene’s relationship with Jesus and her important role in his Church. The Gospels of Philip and Mary both come from the Gnostic Gospels and I recall seeing them in many sources,’ Brown explained, citing sources such as The Templar Revelation , The Goddess in the Gospels and The Gnostic Gospels.
    Blythe’s document came from a variety of different sources and texts. Brown needed support for the hypothesis he was trying to create, which would provide that sense of realism and reflect the world in which Langdon lived. ‘I would usually take a document like this, read it, consider it, and blend it in my mind with all the other material that I had read on the topic,’ Brown explained. He would cross-reference other notes and source material before writing a draft that would eventually become a chapter or section of the book. He would go through several drafts before he felt the section was complete and would quite likely refer to the source material again before final completion.
    Chapter 58 sees Langdon and Teabing showing Sophie the bloodline theory and the secret imagery in Da Vinci’s painting of The Last Supper . ‘I prepared the lecture parts of these chapters in the same general way as I prepared the lecture in Chapter 55,’ Brown explained. ‘A document that I would very likely have looked at while writing such chapters is entitled Langdon Reveals to Sophie . The first part of the document deals with the history of the Knights Templar and it goes on to give an explanation for what they were looking for under the Temple of Solomon. A lot of this information (including some of the text), I believe, had come from The Hiram Key . The document then goes on to look at the Priory of Sion, San Graal, and marriage of Jesus and Mary Magdalene.
    ‘All of the research books are different pieces of history in theory. Often the books reach the same conclusions – just in a different way. Blythe likes to mark or underline where she finds common links, as it helps her piece the big picture together. Our studies into the origins of the Christian movement and the ancient mysteries continue to this day. Our research and Blythe’s note-taking is a continual process.’ [240]
    While research is crucial for Brown to provide the fact and authenticity he seeks, the other key to creating a realistic feel to the book is ensuring his locations are accurate. One could say that this is Brown’s biggest trademark. Many readers used Angels & Demons as a guidebook to the locations in the Vatican and across Rome for walking in the footsteps of the characters. The same is also true of The Da Vinci Code – location is key.
    Some of the detail of the locations came from online sources or guidebooks and photos, but there is no substitute for going to that location and experiencing it. ‘In the case of The Da Vinci Code , Blythe and I spent a year or so travelling and conducting research during the writing of The Da Vinci Code .’
    Indeed, Brown states that the locations are often as important to him as the symbols, codes and art in telling the story. ‘Locations not only make the read more