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If you're indifferent, you are apparently in a minority. Tom Send a noteboard - 15/09/2009 04:36:28 AM
Look, I loved Foucault's Pendulum, in fact I was so enthralled with it that I don't even like to discuss it in the same thread as Dan Brown. It was tightly written in good prose and I found myself wondering if Eco was really writing fiction. A part of me thought he had "cracked the code" and knew what was Really Going On™. I think that the depth of my esoteric reading interests dating back to middle school really helped me be astounded.

The point is that we shouldn't compare Dan Brown to Umberto Eco. We shouldn't hate him just because he's beautiful...I mean famous and rich. He writes fun beach reading. We should take it for what it is and just enjoy it.
Political correctness is the pettiest form of casuistry.

ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius

Ummaka qinnassa nīk!

*MySmiley*
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Why is it that so many people hate Dan Brown? Tom - 14/09/2009 09:24:31 PM 2394 Views
His prose is bad. Very bad. Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:28:28 PM 1233 Views
It's not any worse than Robert Jordan's prose. I'd say it's better, in fact. Tom - 14/09/2009 09:30:17 PM 1106 Views
Re: It's not any worse than Robert Jordan's prose. I'd say it's better, in fact. Camilla - 14/09/2009 09:32:44 PM 1253 Views
In defense of italics... smaug - 14/09/2009 11:58:35 PM 1178 Views
Re: In defense of italics... Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:02:56 AM 1199 Views
I just rechecked... smaug - 15/09/2009 11:17:23 AM 1114 Views
Thereby... Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:31:44 PM 1142 Views
I have a problem with comparing those italics. Rebekah - 15/09/2009 10:33:53 PM 1142 Views
Oh probably Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:40:15 PM 1157 Views
Hehe Rebekah - 15/09/2009 10:42:23 PM 1227 Views
In defense of nothing in particular... smaug - 15/09/2009 11:16:09 PM 1217 Views
Ah. Leroux did publish it as a serial in magazine first so that makes sense. *NM* Rebekah - 15/09/2009 11:19:40 PM 544 Views
Re: Thereby... Camilla - 16/09/2009 10:40:18 AM 1282 Views
I love that line, and nothing you say will change that. Legolas - 15/09/2009 11:15:29 PM 1109 Views
That line is great smaug - 15/09/2009 11:21:03 PM 1148 Views
Jordan didn't have the good sense TO FINISH ANY FUCKING PLOT THREAD Tom - 15/09/2009 04:46:06 AM 1126 Views
Wow, the vehemence. Craig - 15/09/2009 05:55:38 AM 1160 Views
Riddle me this, Batman - if he weren't dying, would he have even done that? *NM* Tom - 15/09/2009 01:53:57 PM 647 Views
Yes. Werthead - 15/09/2009 03:38:34 PM 1125 Views
burn *NM* LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:24:49 PM 526 Views
Relevant post as always Celia *NM* Walker_Boh - 15/09/2009 11:36:34 PM 617 Views
So you say... Tom - 16/09/2009 02:17:47 AM 1112 Views
No, he didn't. Werthead - 16/09/2009 04:44:31 AM 1193 Views
Re: Jordan didn't have the good sense TO FINISH ANY FUCKING PLOT THREAD Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:05:26 AM 1145 Views
His attitude to history isn't really any different from that of most writers Tom - 15/09/2009 01:54:55 PM 1116 Views
Except Camilla - 15/09/2009 04:56:23 PM 1126 Views
And ALSO except Tom - 17/09/2009 02:59:03 PM 1225 Views
Re: And ALSO except Camilla - 17/09/2009 05:27:40 PM 1121 Views
I vehemently disagree with this! Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:33:05 PM 1405 Views
How many chapters of Aes Sedai dresses and horse names did we go through in his books? Tom - 15/09/2009 04:45:04 AM 1157 Views
I'd have a slow moving plot to fast moving nonsense any day. fionwe1987 - 15/09/2009 05:36:20 AM 1210 Views
With Jordan, that movement was glacial Tom - 15/09/2009 01:58:08 PM 1113 Views
so...your problem with jordan is that you're impatient? LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:26:07 PM 1070 Views
How many of us can say we're not antsy to know what happened? nossy - 15/09/2009 05:03:24 PM 1121 Views
So plot progression is all that matters? What about the other stuff I mentioned? *NM* fionwe1987 - 15/09/2009 04:50:06 PM 531 Views
Jordan's characters are just as two-dimensional as Brown's Tom - 16/09/2009 02:17:19 AM 1092 Views
Bull... fionwe1987 - 16/09/2009 03:15:49 AM 1114 Views
No, I think you're just blinded by liking WoT Tom - 17/09/2009 03:00:28 PM 1092 Views
No, you seem to be blinded by disliking him, more like. Legolas - 17/09/2009 06:25:21 PM 1102 Views
It's not hyperbole. Tom - 17/09/2009 08:13:47 PM 1117 Views
Yes, it is, and you're really going to have to back your stance up with arguments. Legolas - 17/09/2009 09:21:56 PM 1152 Views
No it isn't, and I won't. I'm bored with this debate. *NM* Tom - 18/09/2009 02:57:00 PM 572 Views
Yeah like that's not the case with you and Dan Brown. fionwe1987 - 17/09/2009 06:56:37 PM 1155 Views
I don't think Dan Brown is a stellar writer. Tom - 17/09/2009 08:11:41 PM 1102 Views
Heh. It was "favourite" fantasy series not "best". Rebekah - 17/09/2009 08:19:02 PM 1093 Views
Then why defend him? fionwe1987 - 18/09/2009 12:14:35 AM 1077 Views
No Camilla - 18/09/2009 10:09:02 AM 1235 Views
Examples. Werthead - 17/09/2009 01:53:21 AM 1301 Views
LOL Rebekah - 17/09/2009 03:16:23 PM 1160 Views
Because he is shit? Camilla - 14/09/2009 09:38:59 PM 1370 Views
Camilla, you've read shit before and liked it. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:43:24 AM 1145 Views
Re: Camilla, you've read shit before and liked it. Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:04:18 AM 1108 Views
Yes, I was talking about the book. Tom - 15/09/2009 01:58:54 PM 1084 Views
Re: Yes, I was talking about the book. Camilla - 15/09/2009 04:56:53 PM 1047 Views
Also Camilla - 14/09/2009 09:41:25 PM 1159 Views
Hate is a strong word. PhotoJim - 14/09/2009 09:44:02 PM 1225 Views
Nicely put. *NM* Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:46:03 PM 548 Views
*NM* Tashmere - 15/09/2009 04:16:35 AM 558 Views
He still didn't dick around with us as long as Robert Jordan did. *NM* Tom - 15/09/2009 04:41:01 AM 575 Views
I'm not disagreeing with you on that one. *NM* PhotoJim - 15/09/2009 12:12:52 PM 596 Views
Elitism and frustration he sells so much and better authors don't? Legolas - 14/09/2009 09:51:39 PM 1066 Views
I think so. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:40:20 AM 1130 Views
you thought meyers was entertaining???? LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:28:48 PM 1088 Views
You thought it wasn't entertaining? Darth_Katie - 15/09/2009 07:42:06 PM 1082 Views
I would phrase that 'better' authors Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:29:54 PM 1101 Views
Okay, fair enough. Legolas - 15/09/2009 11:16:56 PM 1063 Views
Given that I know nothing about Dan Brown nossy - 14/09/2009 09:54:15 PM 1213 Views
Pfft! ~locks your reply~ Rebekah - 14/09/2009 10:00:23 PM 1114 Views
ooo, lock me baby! nossy - 14/09/2009 10:12:48 PM 1183 Views
A couple of the above points, and Suspension of Disbelief. Craig - 14/09/2009 10:23:26 PM 1176 Views
Good point about the "Ridiculous Things", that bugged me too. Legolas - 14/09/2009 10:35:32 PM 1224 Views
there is a difference between a book, which is a respectable medium, and a hollywood movie. jh - 14/09/2009 10:41:06 PM 1079 Views
There is really only a difference if you're looking for some higher learnin' nossy - 14/09/2009 10:52:39 PM 1157 Views
That statement makes no sense. *NM* jh - 14/09/2009 10:55:53 PM 466 Views
She must have been reading too much Dan Brown. Rebekah - 14/09/2009 10:58:51 PM 1095 Views
Yes it does nossy - 14/09/2009 11:00:41 PM 1068 Views
Only to the strangest of elitists. *NM* Ghavrel - 15/09/2009 12:49:53 AM 585 Views
Go read screenplays for fun, populist. *NM* jh - 15/09/2009 10:20:01 AM 591 Views
Ghavrel - 15/09/2009 06:25:26 PM 1091 Views
Oh, I am sorry. jh - 16/09/2009 11:11:07 AM 980 Views
Well... Craig - 14/09/2009 11:16:00 PM 1078 Views
I accept your points, but also your final statement Tom - 15/09/2009 04:38:46 AM 1083 Views
More to the point then... people don't really need a good reason to hate something in particular. Craig - 15/09/2009 06:00:33 AM 1151 Views
You didn't even like him as Mugatu in Zoolander? *NM* Tom - 15/09/2009 01:47:57 PM 556 Views
Now, now. Craig - 15/09/2009 07:03:48 PM 1072 Views
Suspension of disbelief is a relative thing random thoughts - 15/09/2009 11:25:32 PM 1155 Views
Damn near everything is a relative thing. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:25:48 AM 1140 Views
I'm indifferent to him Larry - 15/09/2009 01:14:37 AM 1135 Views
If you're indifferent, you are apparently in a minority. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:36:28 AM 1097 Views
To put Brown's mediocrity in perspective, read Da Vinci and then Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco. *NM* RandAllThor - 15/09/2009 01:32:11 AM 575 Views
Eh, I enjoyed DaVinci better. You can all crucify me now. Craig - 15/09/2009 01:49:28 AM 1059 Views
Re: Eh, I enjoyed DaVinci better. You can all crucify me now. RandAllThor - 15/09/2009 01:54:17 AM 1211 Views
Re: Rose Craig - 15/09/2009 02:16:53 AM 1098 Views
As someone who appreciated Foucault's Pendulum I don't argue his mediocrity. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:30:31 AM 959 Views
I agree with your last sentence strongly. Joker - 26/09/2009 08:18:42 PM 1317 Views
I don't hate him, and I've never read any of his books Brian - 15/09/2009 01:45:37 AM 1070 Views
He was over hyped to me. Tashmere - 15/09/2009 04:15:32 AM 1088 Views
Da Vinci, not "Da Vinchi". The latter would be pronounced like "Da Vinki" in English. *NM* Tom - 15/09/2009 04:32:40 AM 546 Views
I will fix it for for you. I just didn't care enough to look up the spelling on it. Tashmere - 15/09/2009 02:49:08 PM 1181 Views
I agree it was way overhyped. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:12:39 AM 1029 Views
Heh, I actually had the opposite. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:26:55 AM 1123 Views
The thing I hate the most is actually the fans who suddenly "know" stuff.... Sophy - 15/09/2009 07:49:22 AM 1233 Views
Yes! *NM* Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:06:35 AM 542 Views
I try to avoid stupid people like that altogether Tom - 15/09/2009 01:49:53 PM 1030 Views
And move to a deserted island? Sophy - 15/09/2009 02:33:01 PM 1310 Views
Those people are everywhere, but you don't have to talk to them Tom - 17/09/2009 03:02:24 PM 1168 Views
Lol. I agree wholeheartedly. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:17:51 AM 1137 Views
My take on why Dan Brown is so disliked. MightyYT - 15/09/2009 08:51:04 AM 1189 Views
As I've said before, I don't disagree that he's a mediocre writer Tom - 15/09/2009 01:52:23 PM 1069 Views
He 'true' book claims 5 million women were killed during the witch hunt AgentOrange - 15/09/2009 11:55:40 AM 1090 Views
I would hardly say I hate him Mark - 15/09/2009 02:33:13 PM 1128 Views
I think it's more the totally inexplicable nature of his success Werthead - 15/09/2009 03:48:28 PM 1228 Views
Eragon and Twilight indicate all that is evil to me in the world LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:33:29 PM 1220 Views
I hardly think it's that inexplicable. Legolas - 15/09/2009 04:33:39 PM 1088 Views
Honestly, his works play on a very basic fact of human psychology., everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:23:56 AM 1194 Views
Misplaced superiority. Jacob - 15/09/2009 05:10:34 PM 1138 Views
Well, regarding goodkind... jh - 15/09/2009 05:23:34 PM 1131 Views
I couldn't say... Jacob - 15/09/2009 05:57:12 PM 1187 Views
well, you stuck with the poor quality books longer than me. *NM* jh - 16/09/2009 12:39:23 AM 555 Views
It's pure literary snobbery Wibble - 15/09/2009 11:08:44 PM 1134 Views
I agree with you 100%. Tom - 16/09/2009 02:20:11 AM 1037 Views
Very nice summary. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:32:38 AM 1200 Views
That's more than a little unfair. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:29:59 AM 1065 Views
Dan Brown is a snob. Sophy - 16/09/2009 06:32:21 AM 1251 Views
Where does the rule come from that you can't read good books while travelling? It is nonsense! Camilla - 18/09/2009 10:16:56 AM 1321 Views
because all of the cool kids hate him random thoughts - 15/09/2009 11:17:29 PM 997 Views
He has an enormous schwanzstucker. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 16/09/2009 01:18:37 AM 779 Views
I figured that'd set most guys against him. *NM* rebelaessedai - 16/09/2009 01:51:56 AM 570 Views
I don't get it either. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:01:04 AM 1051 Views
I think you'll appreciate this Tom Geoff - 16/09/2009 03:03:24 PM 1316 Views
Hmm. The sneerathon seems like a good idea. jh - 16/09/2009 03:52:15 PM 1086 Views
That was lovely, thank you! Tom - 17/09/2009 03:04:46 PM 1080 Views
My pleasure Geoff - 17/09/2009 03:58:31 PM 1220 Views
I don't. I think he's just average, though occasionally fun for an easy read/skim *NM* IndigoAjah - 17/09/2009 12:39:05 AM 580 Views
Plenty of them probably don't. They just don't have the guts to say what they truly think. *NM* Vodalus - 17/09/2009 10:10:39 PM 534 Views
And yet there's still no "Why do so many people hate Faile?" post on the WoT board... *NM* TaskmasterJack - 18/09/2009 04:05:26 PM 780 Views
How do you know? *NM* jh - 18/09/2009 04:57:15 PM 579 Views
I pop in there on occasion. TaskmasterJack - 18/09/2009 05:09:59 PM 1434 Views
Oh, it's a job. jh - 18/09/2009 07:35:32 PM 1199 Views
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