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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 2538 Views
His prose is bad. Very bad. Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:28:28 PM 1409 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 1248 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 1396 Views
In defense of italics... smaug - 14/09/2009 11:58:35 PM 1332 Views
Re: In defense of italics... Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:02:56 AM 1331 Views
I just rechecked... smaug - 15/09/2009 11:17:23 AM 1251 Views
Thereby... Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:31:44 PM 1260 Views
I have a problem with comparing those italics. Rebekah - 15/09/2009 10:33:53 PM 1260 Views
Oh probably Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:40:15 PM 1269 Views
Hehe Rebekah - 15/09/2009 10:42:23 PM 1369 Views
In defense of nothing in particular... smaug - 15/09/2009 11:16:09 PM 1334 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 611 Views
Re: Thereby... Camilla - 16/09/2009 10:40:18 AM 1416 Views
I love that line, and nothing you say will change that. Legolas - 15/09/2009 11:15:29 PM 1260 Views
That line is great smaug - 15/09/2009 11:21:03 PM 1299 Views
Jordan didn't have the good sense TO FINISH ANY FUCKING PLOT THREAD Tom - 15/09/2009 04:46:06 AM 1254 Views
Wow, the vehemence. Craig - 15/09/2009 05:55:38 AM 1319 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 714 Views
Yes. Werthead - 15/09/2009 03:38:34 PM 1251 Views
burn *NM* LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:24:49 PM 591 Views
Relevant post as always Celia *NM* Walker_Boh - 15/09/2009 11:36:34 PM 664 Views
So you say... Tom - 16/09/2009 02:17:47 AM 1249 Views
No, he didn't. Werthead - 16/09/2009 04:44:31 AM 1324 Views
Re: Jordan didn't have the good sense TO FINISH ANY FUCKING PLOT THREAD Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:05:26 AM 1280 Views
His attitude to history isn't really any different from that of most writers Tom - 15/09/2009 01:54:55 PM 1270 Views
Except Camilla - 15/09/2009 04:56:23 PM 1259 Views
And ALSO except Tom - 17/09/2009 02:59:03 PM 1355 Views
Re: And ALSO except Camilla - 17/09/2009 05:27:40 PM 1261 Views
I vehemently disagree with this! Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:33:05 PM 1541 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 1307 Views
I'd have a slow moving plot to fast moving nonsense any day. fionwe1987 - 15/09/2009 05:36:20 AM 1370 Views
With Jordan, that movement was glacial Tom - 15/09/2009 01:58:08 PM 1243 Views
so...your problem with jordan is that you're impatient? LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:26:07 PM 1204 Views
How many of us can say we're not antsy to know what happened? nossy - 15/09/2009 05:03:24 PM 1255 Views
So plot progression is all that matters? What about the other stuff I mentioned? *NM* fionwe1987 - 15/09/2009 04:50:06 PM 612 Views
Jordan's characters are just as two-dimensional as Brown's Tom - 16/09/2009 02:17:19 AM 1219 Views
Bull... fionwe1987 - 16/09/2009 03:15:49 AM 1237 Views
No, I think you're just blinded by liking WoT Tom - 17/09/2009 03:00:28 PM 1219 Views
No, you seem to be blinded by disliking him, more like. Legolas - 17/09/2009 06:25:21 PM 1231 Views
It's not hyperbole. Tom - 17/09/2009 08:13:47 PM 1250 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 1287 Views
No it isn't, and I won't. I'm bored with this debate. *NM* Tom - 18/09/2009 02:57:00 PM 632 Views
Yeah like that's not the case with you and Dan Brown. fionwe1987 - 17/09/2009 06:56:37 PM 1281 Views
I don't think Dan Brown is a stellar writer. Tom - 17/09/2009 08:11:41 PM 1244 Views
Heh. It was "favourite" fantasy series not "best". Rebekah - 17/09/2009 08:19:02 PM 1209 Views
Then why defend him? fionwe1987 - 18/09/2009 12:14:35 AM 1209 Views
No Camilla - 18/09/2009 10:09:02 AM 1374 Views
Examples. Werthead - 17/09/2009 01:53:21 AM 1460 Views
LOL Rebekah - 17/09/2009 03:16:23 PM 1285 Views
Because he is shit? Camilla - 14/09/2009 09:38:59 PM 1522 Views
Camilla, you've read shit before and liked it. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:43:24 AM 1307 Views
Re: Camilla, you've read shit before and liked it. Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:04:18 AM 1240 Views
Yes, I was talking about the book. Tom - 15/09/2009 01:58:54 PM 1234 Views
Re: Yes, I was talking about the book. Camilla - 15/09/2009 04:56:53 PM 1181 Views
Also Camilla - 14/09/2009 09:41:25 PM 1284 Views
Hate is a strong word. PhotoJim - 14/09/2009 09:44:02 PM 1344 Views
Nicely put. *NM* Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:46:03 PM 613 Views
*NM* Tashmere - 15/09/2009 04:16:35 AM 628 Views
He still didn't dick around with us as long as Robert Jordan did. *NM* Tom - 15/09/2009 04:41:01 AM 642 Views
I'm not disagreeing with you on that one. *NM* PhotoJim - 15/09/2009 12:12:52 PM 663 Views
Elitism and frustration he sells so much and better authors don't? Legolas - 14/09/2009 09:51:39 PM 1221 Views
I think so. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:40:20 AM 1310 Views
you thought meyers was entertaining???? LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:28:48 PM 1219 Views
You thought it wasn't entertaining? Darth_Katie - 15/09/2009 07:42:06 PM 1202 Views
I would phrase that 'better' authors Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:29:54 PM 1217 Views
Okay, fair enough. Legolas - 15/09/2009 11:16:56 PM 1179 Views
Given that I know nothing about Dan Brown nossy - 14/09/2009 09:54:15 PM 1330 Views
Pfft! ~locks your reply~ Rebekah - 14/09/2009 10:00:23 PM 1249 Views
ooo, lock me baby! nossy - 14/09/2009 10:12:48 PM 1311 Views
A couple of the above points, and Suspension of Disbelief. Craig - 14/09/2009 10:23:26 PM 1311 Views
Good point about the "Ridiculous Things", that bugged me too. Legolas - 14/09/2009 10:35:32 PM 1362 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 1230 Views
There is really only a difference if you're looking for some higher learnin' nossy - 14/09/2009 10:52:39 PM 1305 Views
That statement makes no sense. *NM* jh - 14/09/2009 10:55:53 PM 525 Views
She must have been reading too much Dan Brown. Rebekah - 14/09/2009 10:58:51 PM 1216 Views
Yes it does nossy - 14/09/2009 11:00:41 PM 1199 Views
Only to the strangest of elitists. *NM* Ghavrel - 15/09/2009 12:49:53 AM 652 Views
Go read screenplays for fun, populist. *NM* jh - 15/09/2009 10:20:01 AM 658 Views
Ghavrel - 15/09/2009 06:25:26 PM 1221 Views
Oh, I am sorry. jh - 16/09/2009 11:11:07 AM 1129 Views
Well... Craig - 14/09/2009 11:16:00 PM 1202 Views
I accept your points, but also your final statement Tom - 15/09/2009 04:38:46 AM 1214 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 1303 Views
You didn't even like him as Mugatu in Zoolander? *NM* Tom - 15/09/2009 01:47:57 PM 613 Views
Now, now. Craig - 15/09/2009 07:03:48 PM 1212 Views
Suspension of disbelief is a relative thing random thoughts - 15/09/2009 11:25:32 PM 1306 Views
Damn near everything is a relative thing. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:25:48 AM 1256 Views
I'm indifferent to him Larry - 15/09/2009 01:14:37 AM 1262 Views
If you're indifferent, you are apparently in a minority. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:36:28 AM 1224 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 638 Views
Eh, I enjoyed DaVinci better. You can all crucify me now. Craig - 15/09/2009 01:49:28 AM 1195 Views
Re: Eh, I enjoyed DaVinci better. You can all crucify me now. RandAllThor - 15/09/2009 01:54:17 AM 1331 Views
Re: Rose Craig - 15/09/2009 02:16:53 AM 1211 Views
As someone who appreciated Foucault's Pendulum I don't argue his mediocrity. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:30:31 AM 1107 Views
I agree with your last sentence strongly. Joker - 26/09/2009 08:18:42 PM 1458 Views
I don't hate him, and I've never read any of his books Brian - 15/09/2009 01:45:37 AM 1209 Views
He was over hyped to me. Tashmere - 15/09/2009 04:15:32 AM 1234 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 607 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 1329 Views
I agree it was way overhyped. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:12:39 AM 1162 Views
Heh, I actually had the opposite. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:26:55 AM 1247 Views
The thing I hate the most is actually the fans who suddenly "know" stuff.... Sophy - 15/09/2009 07:49:22 AM 1365 Views
Yes! *NM* Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:06:35 AM 606 Views
I try to avoid stupid people like that altogether Tom - 15/09/2009 01:49:53 PM 1159 Views
And move to a deserted island? Sophy - 15/09/2009 02:33:01 PM 1449 Views
Those people are everywhere, but you don't have to talk to them Tom - 17/09/2009 03:02:24 PM 1300 Views
Lol. I agree wholeheartedly. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:17:51 AM 1308 Views
My take on why Dan Brown is so disliked. MightyYT - 15/09/2009 08:51:04 AM 1332 Views
As I've said before, I don't disagree that he's a mediocre writer Tom - 15/09/2009 01:52:23 PM 1227 Views
He 'true' book claims 5 million women were killed during the witch hunt AgentOrange - 15/09/2009 11:55:40 AM 1206 Views
I would hardly say I hate him Mark - 15/09/2009 02:33:13 PM 1266 Views
I think it's more the totally inexplicable nature of his success Werthead - 15/09/2009 03:48:28 PM 1359 Views
Eragon and Twilight indicate all that is evil to me in the world LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:33:29 PM 1340 Views
I hardly think it's that inexplicable. Legolas - 15/09/2009 04:33:39 PM 1217 Views
Honestly, his works play on a very basic fact of human psychology., everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:23:56 AM 1335 Views
Misplaced superiority. Jacob - 15/09/2009 05:10:34 PM 1282 Views
Well, regarding goodkind... jh - 15/09/2009 05:23:34 PM 1273 Views
I couldn't say... Jacob - 15/09/2009 05:57:12 PM 1294 Views
well, you stuck with the poor quality books longer than me. *NM* jh - 16/09/2009 12:39:23 AM 610 Views
It's pure literary snobbery Wibble - 15/09/2009 11:08:44 PM 1303 Views
I agree with you 100%. Tom - 16/09/2009 02:20:11 AM 1166 Views
Very nice summary. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:32:38 AM 1343 Views
That's more than a little unfair. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:29:59 AM 1228 Views
Dan Brown is a snob. Sophy - 16/09/2009 06:32:21 AM 1398 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 1454 Views
because all of the cool kids hate him random thoughts - 15/09/2009 11:17:29 PM 1104 Views
He has an enormous schwanzstucker. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 16/09/2009 01:18:37 AM 843 Views
I figured that'd set most guys against him. *NM* rebelaessedai - 16/09/2009 01:51:56 AM 634 Views
I don't get it either. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:01:04 AM 1200 Views
I think you'll appreciate this Tom Geoff - 16/09/2009 03:03:24 PM 1453 Views
Hmm. The sneerathon seems like a good idea. jh - 16/09/2009 03:52:15 PM 1225 Views
That was lovely, thank you! Tom - 17/09/2009 03:04:46 PM 1211 Views
My pleasure Geoff - 17/09/2009 03:58:31 PM 1354 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 639 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 591 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 847 Views
How do you know? *NM* jh - 18/09/2009 04:57:15 PM 629 Views
I pop in there on occasion. TaskmasterJack - 18/09/2009 05:09:59 PM 1587 Views
Oh, it's a job. jh - 18/09/2009 07:35:32 PM 1348 Views
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