From Mr V. Silvestrelli

On one of my monthly trips to Malta I had the opportunity to read Frans Sammut’s On The Da Vinci Code – A Commentary by a Leading Maltese Novelist published by Argo Publishing House.

It made for some very interring reading, not only because it correctly pointed out the numerous errors found in Dan Brown’s novel, but also because the subject is treated with originality and advances arguments not found in other similar publications published in other countries.

For instance, the reference to the last scandal one would dream of discussing - divine sexuality – is very much true and meaningful: our times need novelties and desecrating the last taboo is enough for people to be ensnared.

Scandal and lack of knowledge are the basis of this worldwide success. The book and the film are already falling into oblivion. There will only remain a case of “illicit” enrichment perpetrated by means of a fake historico-literary reconstruction, which someone in the future might wish to imitate with a view to make such profit.

Sammut’s quotation of Italian writer Alberto Moravia – “in the times even the illiterates read and write” – is very much to the point.

The fault lies not only with individuals, but especially with those who, knowingly and in an organised fashion, marketed a lacklustre product: Sony Inc., the company that produced the film, and Dan Brown, are as liable as the greengrocer who sells vegetables that are no longer fresh.

In the light of all this, please allow me to compliment Frans Sammut, who had the ability to uncover a fake of our times.

Vincenzo Silvestrelli

Associazione Umbria-Malta

ROME