As of today, I have ceased to be the only woman in America who hasn't read Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code." I read half the book before going on an actual date with my husband on Friday night out to dinner and then to see the film. One of the student workers in the office confirmed for me that she felt that the book was better than the movie. Ultimately, I have concluded both the book and the movie have their individual strong points:

The Book: is more descriptive, contains more subplots and explanation of the events of the plot, filled in the missing gaps with the individual motivations of certain characters. And the book better explains one event, a sex ritual that explains a bit of the story.

The Movie: gives the viewer a better sense of the events of the past, what it "looked like" when historical events were taking place, paints a more vibrant picture. While Dan Brown's story is good, he's really not a phenomenal writer.

Considering the plot includes a race from Paris to the French countryside to London to Scotland, its worth seeing the film as it shows you the places and landmarks in the story.

Overall, seeing the movie was a good date night for me and Keith--this being his thing---gnostic gospels, Rosicrucian mythology, and early fringe religious groups. It also left me feeling that my own religious beliefs against fasting and corporal mortification are well founded. I also cannot believe that a Church is the sole passageway in which one finds salvation. This has pretty much confirmed for me my Protestant leanings. I also understood and felt for the concept that the world could use a little more feminine energy...the story made me think of my own feminine energy and the power women really hold, even though frequently they fail to realize it.

Anyway. If you haven't read it, read it. If you haven't seen the film, see it. And it really doesn't matter what order either.