Many of you have read The DaVinci Code, but how many of you realize that it is a plagiarized copy of an almost identical book, The DaVinci Legacy, by Lewis Perdue, published in 1983?I first stumbled across The DaVinci Legacy when I was browsing through a used book store and happened across it. When I read the book jacket, I was immediately intrigued, because the plot sounded so very similar to the plot of The DaVinci Code. (Incidentally, you have to suspend belief in historical accuracy if you wish to read either book).
I bought the book, and it proved to be a fascinating read. I decided to do a little research on the author and eventually tracked him down. We had a series of email conversations, in which he expressed his dismay that Dan Brown was getting all the credit for The DaVinci Code, when it was blatantly a copy of Perdue's own work. Unfortunately, his original publisher went bankrupt before he saw many royalties. So although Perdue's a prolific writer with excellent credentials, he hasn't made the profit from his own ideas which Dan Brown has reaped.
Perdue also told me of his frustrating, repeated legal attempts to prove this plagiarism, but he keeps running into walls. If you'd like a summary of all the legal briefs, go here. And if you'd like to see his blog, go here. It is somewhat (understandably) bitter but quite interesting.
28 comments:
I thought the Da Vinci Code was plagiarize from "The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail" by Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh? How many books have the same plot?
Ed, Baigent and Leigh are suing because Brown lifted their ideas/concepts. In Perdue's case, Brown's entire plot is appallingly similar.
Hmmmm. It makes me wonder how much of my own work I really want to put out to the world in my blog. I am pretty sure that some of what I write and distribute on the web will end up in my as yet unpublished (ok, and unwritten) best-seller.
Actually, as much as I believe in protecting myself and my work, I refuse to live life looking over my shoulder and peeking around corners. I know it's easy for me to say now, but if I get plagiarized, then I'llp probably just live with it. Publishing is apparently not a very disciplined or well policed industry. From what I can tell, lawsuits are just an exercise in futility, although perhaps excellent material for a new book!
~Mike
That's cool that you actually got to talk to the author, that he made time to exchange emails.
I haven't read the DaVinci Code but plan on borrowing it from my sister. Now I'll have to read this one too, I suppose......
Green, I thought so too! I have some famous authors who are friends, but I knew them before, or met them through other good friends. The fact that he took time out to talk to me, and didn't realize I was a freelance journalist or anything; very kind.
Mike A, I keep my best stuff off the 'net, FYI. It's not that I don't want to share with my loyal readers / friends but that if I'm going to publish it, I'd better be publishing the cream of the crop or there won't be a chance.
Being a bit of a writer myself I hope he manages to get the lawsuit pushed through and takes brown for everything he's got. I really don't like plagerisers. Is that a word? plagerisers?
The Lumpy
I was going to say the same thing ed did... I thought it was from "The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail." I haven't read the DaVinci Code, but I have seen documentaries on this---which have been really interesting to say the least.
I think it's great that you investigated a bit and I wonder which is the 'real deal'.
I'm heading over to Perdue's site now.
Thanks!
Actually I haven't read either book, and was waiting for the movie to come out. (I know... boo, hiss me!) But mostly that was because of time constraints. Looks like the controversy of trials might be more interesting, though.
Lumpy, something like that! I don't like them either, and it's the principal of the thing. If Brown can do it to Perdue, who can do it to us?
Deb, you'll be glad you did. It's quite an interesting case.
Ellen, I think the movie should be great! It's just a shame that Perdue isn't getting credit for this, at least in some part. Anyway, I don't believe in any of it, but what a great story!
Lumpy,
I think you mean "Copy Cat!!!"
Saur,
thanks for the comments and support. :o) It's sooo good to have blogger peeps especially when you get sick.
My friend's hubby just started a blog. He is rather forward and thought provoking. I immediately thought of you because your blog always has good brain food!! I hope you don't mind me placing a linky link here? I couldn't find your email on your profile:
http://iamsureofyou.blogspot.com/
Hope you aren't getting your butt kicked by the weather down there. We are actually seeing upper 60s here! YIPPEE!
Emma, no, I'm glad of it! I'll check it out, and this gives anyone else who might be interested a heads-up. Thanks, hon!
I thought the books and movie were ripoffs of Monty Pythons The Life of Bryan, and Search for the Holy Grail....
I'm with uncle joe. But I just saw the evening news (It's 5:27 p.m. CT) and the judge said Dan Brown is on the up and up. What's the big deal about a made-up story, anyway? No one is required to read it. No one is required to believe it. It ain't true, let alone truth. Go figure. It's just a big ploy to sell even more blinders--er, I mean books. I'd like to sell a few.
Hmmm...maybe if I make up something from Judas' perspective...
Doesn't that book have to do with the theme of British Israelism?
Bryan, I don't understand(?)
Paul & Uncle Joe, yup! ;o) Good comments.
The erroneous belief that members of the British Royal Family are descended from Jesus.
Bryan, oh, it's similar. Just the belief that there are some privileged people that are descended from a union between Jesus and one of the Marys (I think Mary Magdalene, if I recall correctly). Silly, if you look at tradition, but just as good a fairy tale about Jesus as any other. If you don't wish to accept the Bible as fact, you can make up all sorts of things if you're so inclined. Of course there's no proof for the theory.
ACK! your new picture is eye catching! LOL What made you decide to don the mask and spike your hair? Lucky for you, you look good in anything!
I haven't been following this . . . I have heard that these suits are difficult to near impossible. I hope he can find some justice if it is true.
Good post.
I had not heard of the book but I think I will need to read it now. It's been a while since I read the Da Vinci Code, so I hope I can remember the details. I read because I liked Angels and Demons. I wonder if there is a book out there like that?
I had not heard about this before, Saur.
You know what Stravinsky said: Anyone can create something, but a genius steals!
By the way, I love your new icon.
I listened to the DaVinci Code on CDs on a road trip. The man reading it did all the voices. Every time he did the woman's voice he sounded absolutely ridiculous. I had a hard time picturing the woman as beautiful, but rather more of a drag queen!
It sounds like Dan Brown is winning that other law suit... interesting how some authors get all the publicity... was he on Oprah with it or something?
Oh yeah, that must be yoru new self portrait! You are so mysterious!
I have no desire to read the DaVinci Code. A couple friends loved the book but one of them is an atheist and those viewpoints just frustrate me so I choose not to expose myself to it! Although I probably could read it objectively and as fiction but I'd still get pissed !
The plagiaris, suit will probably not see fruition. Even Purdue's "The DaVinci Legacy" of '83 was subjected to plagiarism charges by an author of another book. I don't recall the author or the name of the book, but it was a science fiction novella written in the mid 60's. All three are eerily similar.
...The idea that Jesus fathered a son with Mary Magdalene is an idea that goes back to the times of the separation of the Lutheran Church from the Catholic Church.
...And that idea comes from ancient original scrolls from those now called the "Dead Sea Scrolls."
...It could be that only Joseph of Aramathea(SP?) may actually have a legitimate claim for plagiarism.
Saurcoon,
Excellent post.
I love the coon look. I have a coon outfit too but I’m too chicken to wear it out.
I can hook you up with a good hair stylist it looks like you might be product challenged. Don’t fret James is a miracle worker and he’s gay.
Copying someone else’s book seems disrespectful.
You missed an exciting Rays game.
Gator, I knew, knew, knew you were going to say that! All of it!
Hale, Fascinating! I didn't know of Perdue's being subject to a lawsuit too. Which book was it,do you know? Oh, I know the ideas are ancient in origin, but not as ancient as the original stories. And, let me point out that there's no copyright on ideas.
SRG, It's sometimes hard to suspend belief, isn't it?
Jenn, yes, but Gator hates it. I knew he would... *sigh* You're right, what is it with books on tape/CD? I had a similiar experience with another novel, which was read by the author who had an unfortunate lisp. Ewww.
Barbara, thanks, sweetie! You're always so supportive. Here's another saying about that: imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Notsocranky, I highly recommend Brown's book: Deception Point.
Kathleen, ...for fun, I guess? ;o)
I read teh Davinci code and wondered what all the fuss was about. It was a pretty good book but nayone who has done much studying into the history and mythology of the Templars has heard/read it all before. That nonsense about the old French royal family being desended from Christ is a medieval myth. A nice story but certainly not something that has been hidden at all. Nothing new here at all.
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