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I hardly think it's that inexplicable. Legolas Send a noteboard - 15/09/2009 04:33:39 PM
At least with books like ERAGON and TWILIGHT you can see 'why' they became mega-sellers, even though they are utter shite and somewhat offensive (such as TWILIGHT's intriguing brand of anti-feminism and ERAGON's lawsuit-baiting ripping off of STAR WARS). Aimed at younger readers who don't know better, cashing in on a general fantasy/vampire 'buzz' created by other factors etc.

THE DA VINCI CODE's success was weird because in 2003 saying that the Catholic Church has made a lot of mistakes and that the Bible is essentially a roughly thrown-together work which omits dozens of other viable manuscripts from the same period was hardly new. Brown clearly plagiarised a lot of his ideas from non-fiction books (some of them also suspect) going back to the 1970s. So the success of the book is totally inexplicable. Other religion-baiting novels released since have not done nearly as well either.

At the same time, Brown isn't totally awful (he's much better than Paolini and Meyer, to use the above examples), he's just very dull and middle-of-the-road.


The ideas about Mary Magdalen, the Marsilia connection and da Vinci were hardly new, true, but they weren't widely known. He had somewhat of a fanbase already from his older books, and that combined with the topic of the new book set off the hype... and of course once a hype starts, it just feeds on itself to grow bigger and bigger.
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Why is it that so many people hate Dan Brown? Tom - 14/09/2009 09:24:31 PM 2420 Views
His prose is bad. Very bad. Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:28:28 PM 1262 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 1137 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 1282 Views
In defense of italics... smaug - 14/09/2009 11:58:35 PM 1206 Views
Re: In defense of italics... Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:02:56 AM 1229 Views
I just rechecked... smaug - 15/09/2009 11:17:23 AM 1137 Views
Thereby... Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:31:44 PM 1168 Views
I have a problem with comparing those italics. Rebekah - 15/09/2009 10:33:53 PM 1171 Views
Oh probably Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:40:15 PM 1173 Views
Hehe Rebekah - 15/09/2009 10:42:23 PM 1256 Views
In defense of nothing in particular... smaug - 15/09/2009 11:16:09 PM 1241 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 556 Views
Re: Thereby... Camilla - 16/09/2009 10:40:18 AM 1311 Views
I love that line, and nothing you say will change that. Legolas - 15/09/2009 11:15:29 PM 1150 Views
That line is great smaug - 15/09/2009 11:21:03 PM 1178 Views
Jordan didn't have the good sense TO FINISH ANY FUCKING PLOT THREAD Tom - 15/09/2009 04:46:06 AM 1155 Views
Wow, the vehemence. Craig - 15/09/2009 05:55:38 AM 1209 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 660 Views
Yes. Werthead - 15/09/2009 03:38:34 PM 1156 Views
burn *NM* LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:24:49 PM 539 Views
Relevant post as always Celia *NM* Walker_Boh - 15/09/2009 11:36:34 PM 627 Views
So you say... Tom - 16/09/2009 02:17:47 AM 1141 Views
No, he didn't. Werthead - 16/09/2009 04:44:31 AM 1222 Views
Re: Jordan didn't have the good sense TO FINISH ANY FUCKING PLOT THREAD Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:05:26 AM 1172 Views
His attitude to history isn't really any different from that of most writers Tom - 15/09/2009 01:54:55 PM 1151 Views
Except Camilla - 15/09/2009 04:56:23 PM 1151 Views
And ALSO except Tom - 17/09/2009 02:59:03 PM 1249 Views
Re: And ALSO except Camilla - 17/09/2009 05:27:40 PM 1152 Views
I vehemently disagree with this! Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:33:05 PM 1427 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 1194 Views
I'd have a slow moving plot to fast moving nonsense any day. fionwe1987 - 15/09/2009 05:36:20 AM 1241 Views
With Jordan, that movement was glacial Tom - 15/09/2009 01:58:08 PM 1138 Views
so...your problem with jordan is that you're impatient? LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:26:07 PM 1094 Views
How many of us can say we're not antsy to know what happened? nossy - 15/09/2009 05:03:24 PM 1147 Views
So plot progression is all that matters? What about the other stuff I mentioned? *NM* fionwe1987 - 15/09/2009 04:50:06 PM 544 Views
Jordan's characters are just as two-dimensional as Brown's Tom - 16/09/2009 02:17:19 AM 1116 Views
Bull... fionwe1987 - 16/09/2009 03:15:49 AM 1139 Views
No, I think you're just blinded by liking WoT Tom - 17/09/2009 03:00:28 PM 1124 Views
No, you seem to be blinded by disliking him, more like. Legolas - 17/09/2009 06:25:21 PM 1132 Views
It's not hyperbole. Tom - 17/09/2009 08:13:47 PM 1145 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 1181 Views
No it isn't, and I won't. I'm bored with this debate. *NM* Tom - 18/09/2009 02:57:00 PM 584 Views
Yeah like that's not the case with you and Dan Brown. fionwe1987 - 17/09/2009 06:56:37 PM 1191 Views
I don't think Dan Brown is a stellar writer. Tom - 17/09/2009 08:11:41 PM 1146 Views
Heh. It was "favourite" fantasy series not "best". Rebekah - 17/09/2009 08:19:02 PM 1122 Views
Then why defend him? fionwe1987 - 18/09/2009 12:14:35 AM 1103 Views
No Camilla - 18/09/2009 10:09:02 AM 1261 Views
Examples. Werthead - 17/09/2009 01:53:21 AM 1341 Views
LOL Rebekah - 17/09/2009 03:16:23 PM 1183 Views
Because he is shit? Camilla - 14/09/2009 09:38:59 PM 1404 Views
Camilla, you've read shit before and liked it. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:43:24 AM 1172 Views
Re: Camilla, you've read shit before and liked it. Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:04:18 AM 1134 Views
Yes, I was talking about the book. Tom - 15/09/2009 01:58:54 PM 1115 Views
Re: Yes, I was talking about the book. Camilla - 15/09/2009 04:56:53 PM 1072 Views
Also Camilla - 14/09/2009 09:41:25 PM 1188 Views
Hate is a strong word. PhotoJim - 14/09/2009 09:44:02 PM 1250 Views
Nicely put. *NM* Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:46:03 PM 563 Views
*NM* Tashmere - 15/09/2009 04:16:35 AM 572 Views
He still didn't dick around with us as long as Robert Jordan did. *NM* Tom - 15/09/2009 04:41:01 AM 590 Views
I'm not disagreeing with you on that one. *NM* PhotoJim - 15/09/2009 12:12:52 PM 611 Views
Elitism and frustration he sells so much and better authors don't? Legolas - 14/09/2009 09:51:39 PM 1093 Views
I think so. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:40:20 AM 1164 Views
you thought meyers was entertaining???? LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:28:48 PM 1114 Views
You thought it wasn't entertaining? Darth_Katie - 15/09/2009 07:42:06 PM 1098 Views
I would phrase that 'better' authors Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:29:54 PM 1124 Views
Okay, fair enough. Legolas - 15/09/2009 11:16:56 PM 1085 Views
Given that I know nothing about Dan Brown nossy - 14/09/2009 09:54:15 PM 1231 Views
Pfft! ~locks your reply~ Rebekah - 14/09/2009 10:00:23 PM 1134 Views
ooo, lock me baby! nossy - 14/09/2009 10:12:48 PM 1210 Views
A couple of the above points, and Suspension of Disbelief. Craig - 14/09/2009 10:23:26 PM 1205 Views
Good point about the "Ridiculous Things", that bugged me too. Legolas - 14/09/2009 10:35:32 PM 1246 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 1107 Views
There is really only a difference if you're looking for some higher learnin' nossy - 14/09/2009 10:52:39 PM 1186 Views
That statement makes no sense. *NM* jh - 14/09/2009 10:55:53 PM 480 Views
She must have been reading too much Dan Brown. Rebekah - 14/09/2009 10:58:51 PM 1118 Views
Yes it does nossy - 14/09/2009 11:00:41 PM 1097 Views
Only to the strangest of elitists. *NM* Ghavrel - 15/09/2009 12:49:53 AM 603 Views
Go read screenplays for fun, populist. *NM* jh - 15/09/2009 10:20:01 AM 603 Views
Ghavrel - 15/09/2009 06:25:26 PM 1118 Views
Oh, I am sorry. jh - 16/09/2009 11:11:07 AM 1011 Views
Well... Craig - 14/09/2009 11:16:00 PM 1109 Views
I accept your points, but also your final statement Tom - 15/09/2009 04:38:46 AM 1105 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 1177 Views
You didn't even like him as Mugatu in Zoolander? *NM* Tom - 15/09/2009 01:47:57 PM 565 Views
Now, now. Craig - 15/09/2009 07:03:48 PM 1102 Views
Suspension of disbelief is a relative thing random thoughts - 15/09/2009 11:25:32 PM 1186 Views
Damn near everything is a relative thing. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:25:48 AM 1160 Views
I'm indifferent to him Larry - 15/09/2009 01:14:37 AM 1161 Views
If you're indifferent, you are apparently in a minority. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:36:28 AM 1122 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 583 Views
Eh, I enjoyed DaVinci better. You can all crucify me now. Craig - 15/09/2009 01:49:28 AM 1092 Views
Re: Eh, I enjoyed DaVinci better. You can all crucify me now. RandAllThor - 15/09/2009 01:54:17 AM 1241 Views
Re: Rose Craig - 15/09/2009 02:16:53 AM 1117 Views
As someone who appreciated Foucault's Pendulum I don't argue his mediocrity. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:30:31 AM 987 Views
I agree with your last sentence strongly. Joker - 26/09/2009 08:18:42 PM 1348 Views
I don't hate him, and I've never read any of his books Brian - 15/09/2009 01:45:37 AM 1096 Views
He was over hyped to me. Tashmere - 15/09/2009 04:15:32 AM 1115 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 562 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 1209 Views
I agree it was way overhyped. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:12:39 AM 1057 Views
Heh, I actually had the opposite. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:26:55 AM 1148 Views
The thing I hate the most is actually the fans who suddenly "know" stuff.... Sophy - 15/09/2009 07:49:22 AM 1267 Views
Yes! *NM* Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:06:35 AM 558 Views
I try to avoid stupid people like that altogether Tom - 15/09/2009 01:49:53 PM 1055 Views
And move to a deserted island? Sophy - 15/09/2009 02:33:01 PM 1336 Views
Those people are everywhere, but you don't have to talk to them Tom - 17/09/2009 03:02:24 PM 1197 Views
Lol. I agree wholeheartedly. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:17:51 AM 1171 Views
My take on why Dan Brown is so disliked. MightyYT - 15/09/2009 08:51:04 AM 1224 Views
As I've said before, I don't disagree that he's a mediocre writer Tom - 15/09/2009 01:52:23 PM 1100 Views
He 'true' book claims 5 million women were killed during the witch hunt AgentOrange - 15/09/2009 11:55:40 AM 1114 Views
I would hardly say I hate him Mark - 15/09/2009 02:33:13 PM 1164 Views
I think it's more the totally inexplicable nature of his success Werthead - 15/09/2009 03:48:28 PM 1256 Views
Eragon and Twilight indicate all that is evil to me in the world LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:33:29 PM 1248 Views
I hardly think it's that inexplicable. Legolas - 15/09/2009 04:33:39 PM 1114 Views
Honestly, his works play on a very basic fact of human psychology., everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:23:56 AM 1229 Views
Misplaced superiority. Jacob - 15/09/2009 05:10:34 PM 1164 Views
Well, regarding goodkind... jh - 15/09/2009 05:23:34 PM 1164 Views
I couldn't say... Jacob - 15/09/2009 05:57:12 PM 1201 Views
well, you stuck with the poor quality books longer than me. *NM* jh - 16/09/2009 12:39:23 AM 566 Views
It's pure literary snobbery Wibble - 15/09/2009 11:08:44 PM 1183 Views
I agree with you 100%. Tom - 16/09/2009 02:20:11 AM 1066 Views
Very nice summary. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:32:38 AM 1228 Views
That's more than a little unfair. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:29:59 AM 1111 Views
Dan Brown is a snob. Sophy - 16/09/2009 06:32:21 AM 1284 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 1348 Views
because all of the cool kids hate him random thoughts - 15/09/2009 11:17:29 PM 1020 Views
He has an enormous schwanzstucker. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 16/09/2009 01:18:37 AM 794 Views
I figured that'd set most guys against him. *NM* rebelaessedai - 16/09/2009 01:51:56 AM 586 Views
I don't get it either. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:01:04 AM 1074 Views
I think you'll appreciate this Tom Geoff - 16/09/2009 03:03:24 PM 1345 Views
Hmm. The sneerathon seems like a good idea. jh - 16/09/2009 03:52:15 PM 1122 Views
That was lovely, thank you! Tom - 17/09/2009 03:04:46 PM 1111 Views
My pleasure Geoff - 17/09/2009 03:58:31 PM 1251 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 592 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 544 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 790 Views
How do you know? *NM* jh - 18/09/2009 04:57:15 PM 589 Views
I pop in there on occasion. TaskmasterJack - 18/09/2009 05:09:59 PM 1469 Views
Oh, it's a job. jh - 18/09/2009 07:35:32 PM 1228 Views
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