The Asti Spumante Code
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Toby Clements |
| Products | Satirical novel |
The Asti Spumante Code (complete title: The Asti Spumante Code: A Parody) is a satirical novel published in 2005 by Toby Clements, which humorously imitates The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. It stands out as one of the first fictional spoofs inspired by Brown's popular work.
Plot
To clarify the chronology, the narrative is split into two sections: Backstory and Modern Day.
Backstory
During the 13th century, the Order of Psion—a collective primarily composed of female writers who adopted male pen names—foresaw the emergence of "the ultimate book," destined to revolutionize the publishing world. The secret to this book, known as the Asti Spumante Code, is concealed within the Mure de Paume ("The Blackberry of the Palm"), also referred to as "the legendary keystone."
In response to this anticipated upheaval, a consortium of publishers established The English Book Guild in Stevenage, England, with the goal of counteracting the Order's influence.
Modern day
The story centers on American academic Prof. James Crack, an expert in Paraliteral Metasymbolist studies, alongside Belgian codebreaker Emily Raquin. Together, they follow a trail of enigmas left by the deceased Grand Master of the Order of Psion, ultimately leading them to the Asti Spumante Code.
Their quest is challenged by the Uxbridge Road Group, an extremist faction stemming from the English Book Guild and based in Brussels. This group advocates for gender-segregated literature and aims to eradicate the Asti Spumante Code before it can be utilized.
See also
- The Da Vinci Code – Novel authored by Dan Brown
- The Da Vinci Treasure – 2006 motion picture produced by The Asylum