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Where does the rule come from that you can't read good books while travelling? It is nonsense! Camilla Send a noteboard - 18/09/2009 10:16:56 AM
Yes Camilla, i'm looking at you ;)

Dan Brown writes airport novels. You're bored in an airport, you look for a book, this seems interesting, pulls you in from the start...sold. And Dan Brown had been doing that for several years largely unnoticed (and largely unsold) until the Davinci Code.

For some reason, that no-one can pinpoint (after all if we could we'd all be doing it), that book at that time in that place, had the x-factor for want of a better word. No it isn't the greatest literature ever, not it isn't entirely factual, not it may not be the greatest thriller on earth...but somehow it grabbed societies imagination and it didn't let go. Just like Rowling, just like Meyers...no one can plan it, it just happens.

Over 80million copies later there is little doubt it is a truly great airport novel.

Of course a lot of people jump on the FACT element and tear it to pieces *cough*Camilla*cough*, however lets actually look at that:


I wouldn't jump on the fact element if he weren't touting it outside his books. That makes it a legitimate point of attack.

Firstly, it's a fictional book, it's a story, from front cover to back, and anyone who is going to get uppity about what he says inside it. Well really. It's called immersion people, say it's true at the start and you are hooking the audience from the get go. Hollywood does it all the time, with their stories 'based on truth'. But somehow when a book does it the snobbery comes out.


No. The facts page would be dubious, a little shady; but that is not my problem. A lot of books do that. Hell, doesn't The Three Musketeers pretend to be based in memoirs found in a dusty bookshop? I have no problem with that. I do, however, have a problem with the moron going outside the book and claiming it as truth. That is lieing. Which is different from fiction.

Secondly. Yes Dan Brown did say it was 99% true in an early publicity interview for the book...an early publicity interview for the book...go back and read that part again...PUBLICITY. Get it yet people? He was a struggling author selling about 10,000 copies each of his 1st 3 novels, at that stage you do anything to get publicity as you are trying to sell your book! And it worked, he finally became a great salesman (something many 'better' authors simply cannot do), who cares if it wasn't entirely accurate, it got books off the shelves.


Lieing.

He's since gone back and used words more akin to "alleged" and "rumored", and said he hopes his book stimulate debate etc. All fine by me.

So yes. Pure literary snobbery, that a 'hack' author can attain what many here would consider 'better' authors cannot. But really, the book isn't meant for a lot of people here. It's an airport novel, it's quick, fast entertainment. I quite liked it, it isn't great but it hits a spot.


That, I confess, irks me. I must admit part of the reason why the book makes me so angry is that it said on the cover it was Umberto Eco meeting Agatha Christie. Which is just wrong.

The real miracle though is my father, and he probably is the intended audience in many regards. He's read less than 10 books in his life since he left school. Some car racing biographies, he gave lord of the rings a go after the movies, and Dan Brown...

Like Rowling, Dan Brown gets people to read. It fires their imagination, it creates debate, outrage, snobbery. It makes a big noise, a big fuss, and so more people pick it up to see what it's all about, my father being one of them. He quite liked it, so he read Angels and Demons, then Deception Point, he's looking forward to the new book. If the books get him to read more, well that makes me smile. Nice one Dan.


Getting people to read is good. Yes. I am not arguing about that. I am saying Brown is a Bad Man who lies and deceives, outside the bounds of fiction. Basically, that he is a devious bastard and I don't like him.
*MySmiley*
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Why is it that so many people hate Dan Brown? Tom - 14/09/2009 09:24:31 PM 2181 Views
His prose is bad. Very bad. Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:28:28 PM 1035 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 908 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 1057 Views
In defense of italics... smaug - 14/09/2009 11:58:35 PM 1000 Views
Re: In defense of italics... Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:02:56 AM 1014 Views
I just rechecked... smaug - 15/09/2009 11:17:23 AM 921 Views
Thereby... Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:31:44 PM 959 Views
I have a problem with comparing those italics. Rebekah - 15/09/2009 10:33:53 PM 960 Views
Oh probably Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:40:15 PM 957 Views
Hehe Rebekah - 15/09/2009 10:42:23 PM 1047 Views
In defense of nothing in particular... smaug - 15/09/2009 11:16:09 PM 1042 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 470 Views
Re: Thereby... Camilla - 16/09/2009 10:40:18 AM 1097 Views
I love that line, and nothing you say will change that. Legolas - 15/09/2009 11:15:29 PM 931 Views
That line is great smaug - 15/09/2009 11:21:03 PM 948 Views
Jordan didn't have the good sense TO FINISH ANY FUCKING PLOT THREAD Tom - 15/09/2009 04:46:06 AM 939 Views
Wow, the vehemence. Craig - 15/09/2009 05:55:38 AM 959 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 567 Views
Yes. Werthead - 15/09/2009 03:38:34 PM 957 Views
burn *NM* LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:24:49 PM 447 Views
Relevant post as always Celia *NM* Walker_Boh - 15/09/2009 11:36:34 PM 540 Views
So you say... Tom - 16/09/2009 02:17:47 AM 922 Views
No, he didn't. Werthead - 16/09/2009 04:44:31 AM 986 Views
Re: Jordan didn't have the good sense TO FINISH ANY FUCKING PLOT THREAD Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:05:26 AM 973 Views
His attitude to history isn't really any different from that of most writers Tom - 15/09/2009 01:54:55 PM 931 Views
Except Camilla - 15/09/2009 04:56:23 PM 957 Views
And ALSO except Tom - 17/09/2009 02:59:03 PM 1051 Views
Re: And ALSO except Camilla - 17/09/2009 05:27:40 PM 935 Views
I vehemently disagree with this! Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:33:05 PM 1224 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 973 Views
I'd have a slow moving plot to fast moving nonsense any day. fionwe1987 - 15/09/2009 05:36:20 AM 1031 Views
With Jordan, that movement was glacial Tom - 15/09/2009 01:58:08 PM 926 Views
so...your problem with jordan is that you're impatient? LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:26:07 PM 876 Views
How many of us can say we're not antsy to know what happened? nossy - 15/09/2009 05:03:24 PM 939 Views
So plot progression is all that matters? What about the other stuff I mentioned? *NM* fionwe1987 - 15/09/2009 04:50:06 PM 440 Views
Jordan's characters are just as two-dimensional as Brown's Tom - 16/09/2009 02:17:19 AM 889 Views
Bull... fionwe1987 - 16/09/2009 03:15:49 AM 935 Views
No, I think you're just blinded by liking WoT Tom - 17/09/2009 03:00:28 PM 898 Views
No, you seem to be blinded by disliking him, more like. Legolas - 17/09/2009 06:25:21 PM 916 Views
It's not hyperbole. Tom - 17/09/2009 08:13:47 PM 946 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 952 Views
No it isn't, and I won't. I'm bored with this debate. *NM* Tom - 18/09/2009 02:57:00 PM 500 Views
Yeah like that's not the case with you and Dan Brown. fionwe1987 - 17/09/2009 06:56:37 PM 962 Views
I don't think Dan Brown is a stellar writer. Tom - 17/09/2009 08:11:41 PM 924 Views
Heh. It was "favourite" fantasy series not "best". Rebekah - 17/09/2009 08:19:02 PM 917 Views
Then why defend him? fionwe1987 - 18/09/2009 12:14:35 AM 882 Views
No Camilla - 18/09/2009 10:09:02 AM 1051 Views
Examples. Werthead - 17/09/2009 01:53:21 AM 1101 Views
LOL Rebekah - 17/09/2009 03:16:23 PM 976 Views
Because he is shit? Camilla - 14/09/2009 09:38:59 PM 1161 Views
Camilla, you've read shit before and liked it. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:43:24 AM 950 Views
Re: Camilla, you've read shit before and liked it. Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:04:18 AM 933 Views
Yes, I was talking about the book. Tom - 15/09/2009 01:58:54 PM 882 Views
Re: Yes, I was talking about the book. Camilla - 15/09/2009 04:56:53 PM 878 Views
Also Camilla - 14/09/2009 09:41:25 PM 964 Views
Hate is a strong word. PhotoJim - 14/09/2009 09:44:02 PM 1043 Views
Nicely put. *NM* Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:46:03 PM 474 Views
*NM* Tashmere - 15/09/2009 04:16:35 AM 482 Views
He still didn't dick around with us as long as Robert Jordan did. *NM* Tom - 15/09/2009 04:41:01 AM 466 Views
I'm not disagreeing with you on that one. *NM* PhotoJim - 15/09/2009 12:12:52 PM 505 Views
Elitism and frustration he sells so much and better authors don't? Legolas - 14/09/2009 09:51:39 PM 877 Views
I think so. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:40:20 AM 937 Views
you thought meyers was entertaining???? LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:28:48 PM 907 Views
You thought it wasn't entertaining? Darth_Katie - 15/09/2009 07:42:06 PM 911 Views
I would phrase that 'better' authors Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:29:54 PM 929 Views
Okay, fair enough. Legolas - 15/09/2009 11:16:56 PM 842 Views
Given that I know nothing about Dan Brown nossy - 14/09/2009 09:54:15 PM 1025 Views
Pfft! ~locks your reply~ Rebekah - 14/09/2009 10:00:23 PM 925 Views
ooo, lock me baby! nossy - 14/09/2009 10:12:48 PM 989 Views
A couple of the above points, and Suspension of Disbelief. Craig - 14/09/2009 10:23:26 PM 982 Views
Good point about the "Ridiculous Things", that bugged me too. Legolas - 14/09/2009 10:35:32 PM 1047 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 894 Views
There is really only a difference if you're looking for some higher learnin' nossy - 14/09/2009 10:52:39 PM 965 Views
That statement makes no sense. *NM* jh - 14/09/2009 10:55:53 PM 373 Views
She must have been reading too much Dan Brown. Rebekah - 14/09/2009 10:58:51 PM 929 Views
Yes it does nossy - 14/09/2009 11:00:41 PM 883 Views
Only to the strangest of elitists. *NM* Ghavrel - 15/09/2009 12:49:53 AM 497 Views
Go read screenplays for fun, populist. *NM* jh - 15/09/2009 10:20:01 AM 517 Views
Ghavrel - 15/09/2009 06:25:26 PM 922 Views
Oh, I am sorry. jh - 16/09/2009 11:11:07 AM 811 Views
Well... Craig - 14/09/2009 11:16:00 PM 893 Views
I accept your points, but also your final statement Tom - 15/09/2009 04:38:46 AM 878 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 935 Views
You didn't even like him as Mugatu in Zoolander? *NM* Tom - 15/09/2009 01:47:57 PM 477 Views
Now, now. Craig - 15/09/2009 07:03:48 PM 900 Views
Suspension of disbelief is a relative thing random thoughts - 15/09/2009 11:25:32 PM 967 Views
Damn near everything is a relative thing. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:25:48 AM 969 Views
I'm indifferent to him Larry - 15/09/2009 01:14:37 AM 946 Views
If you're indifferent, you are apparently in a minority. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:36:28 AM 897 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 492 Views
Eh, I enjoyed DaVinci better. You can all crucify me now. Craig - 15/09/2009 01:49:28 AM 876 Views
Re: Eh, I enjoyed DaVinci better. You can all crucify me now. RandAllThor - 15/09/2009 01:54:17 AM 1013 Views
Re: Rose Craig - 15/09/2009 02:16:53 AM 909 Views
As someone who appreciated Foucault's Pendulum I don't argue his mediocrity. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:30:31 AM 772 Views
I agree with your last sentence strongly. Joker - 26/09/2009 08:18:42 PM 1119 Views
I don't hate him, and I've never read any of his books Brian - 15/09/2009 01:45:37 AM 883 Views
He was over hyped to me. Tashmere - 15/09/2009 04:15:32 AM 894 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 478 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 1004 Views
I agree it was way overhyped. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:12:39 AM 845 Views
Heh, I actually had the opposite. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:26:55 AM 917 Views
The thing I hate the most is actually the fans who suddenly "know" stuff.... Sophy - 15/09/2009 07:49:22 AM 1023 Views
Yes! *NM* Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:06:35 AM 458 Views
I try to avoid stupid people like that altogether Tom - 15/09/2009 01:49:53 PM 836 Views
And move to a deserted island? Sophy - 15/09/2009 02:33:01 PM 1073 Views
Those people are everywhere, but you don't have to talk to them Tom - 17/09/2009 03:02:24 PM 957 Views
Lol. I agree wholeheartedly. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:17:51 AM 939 Views
My take on why Dan Brown is so disliked. MightyYT - 15/09/2009 08:51:04 AM 999 Views
As I've said before, I don't disagree that he's a mediocre writer Tom - 15/09/2009 01:52:23 PM 881 Views
He 'true' book claims 5 million women were killed during the witch hunt AgentOrange - 15/09/2009 11:55:40 AM 883 Views
I would hardly say I hate him Mark - 15/09/2009 02:33:13 PM 941 Views
I think it's more the totally inexplicable nature of his success Werthead - 15/09/2009 03:48:28 PM 1063 Views
Eragon and Twilight indicate all that is evil to me in the world LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:33:29 PM 1032 Views
I hardly think it's that inexplicable. Legolas - 15/09/2009 04:33:39 PM 894 Views
Honestly, his works play on a very basic fact of human psychology., everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:23:56 AM 989 Views
Misplaced superiority. Jacob - 15/09/2009 05:10:34 PM 974 Views
Well, regarding goodkind... jh - 15/09/2009 05:23:34 PM 936 Views
I couldn't say... Jacob - 15/09/2009 05:57:12 PM 1006 Views
well, you stuck with the poor quality books longer than me. *NM* jh - 16/09/2009 12:39:23 AM 471 Views
It's pure literary snobbery Wibble - 15/09/2009 11:08:44 PM 932 Views
I agree with you 100%. Tom - 16/09/2009 02:20:11 AM 861 Views
Very nice summary. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:32:38 AM 1018 Views
That's more than a little unfair. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:29:59 AM 872 Views
Dan Brown is a snob. Sophy - 16/09/2009 06:32:21 AM 1030 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 1139 Views
because all of the cool kids hate him random thoughts - 15/09/2009 11:17:29 PM 820 Views
He has an enormous schwanzstucker. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 16/09/2009 01:18:37 AM 635 Views
I figured that'd set most guys against him. *NM* rebelaessedai - 16/09/2009 01:51:56 AM 491 Views
I don't get it either. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:01:04 AM 867 Views
I think you'll appreciate this Tom Geoff - 16/09/2009 03:03:24 PM 1061 Views
Hmm. The sneerathon seems like a good idea. jh - 16/09/2009 03:52:15 PM 907 Views
That was lovely, thank you! Tom - 17/09/2009 03:04:46 PM 890 Views
My pleasure Geoff - 17/09/2009 03:58:31 PM 944 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 506 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 452 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 624 Views
How do you know? *NM* jh - 18/09/2009 04:57:15 PM 498 Views
I pop in there on occasion. TaskmasterJack - 18/09/2009 05:09:59 PM 1186 Views
Oh, it's a job. jh - 18/09/2009 07:35:32 PM 1022 Views
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