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A couple of the above points, and Suspension of Disbelief. Craig Send a noteboard - 14/09/2009 10:23:26 PM
First off, I'll agree that his prose isn't very good, and his approach to factuality (i.e., not bothering to tell you which bits he's just making up) is often annoying.

But then I'll add that I simply have a hard time suspending disbelief while reading his books, because there are so many Ridiculous Things that happen. And I'm not even talking about the Great and Terrible Mysteries that are revealed at the end - I'm talking about things like being able to drive through the packed streets of Rome and get to any point in the city in under fifteen minutes, no matter what. Or college classes full of kids who say "NO WAY!!" when presented with some mildly clever interpretation of symbology. The little stuff like that.

All that said - I enjoyed the two books I read (though if they'd not been the illustrated versions, I prob'ly would have been pretty lost). They're pretty fun and quick reads. They just aren't anything I feel like I have to own, or even read again ever.
I am made of poison.
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Why is it that so many people hate Dan Brown? Tom - 14/09/2009 09:24:31 PM 2238 Views
His prose is bad. Very bad. Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:28:28 PM 1087 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 956 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 1113 Views
In defense of italics... smaug - 14/09/2009 11:58:35 PM 1036 Views
Re: In defense of italics... Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:02:56 AM 1063 Views
I just rechecked... smaug - 15/09/2009 11:17:23 AM 967 Views
Thereby... Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:31:44 PM 1003 Views
I have a problem with comparing those italics. Rebekah - 15/09/2009 10:33:53 PM 1007 Views
Oh probably Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:40:15 PM 1005 Views
Hehe Rebekah - 15/09/2009 10:42:23 PM 1090 Views
In defense of nothing in particular... smaug - 15/09/2009 11:16:09 PM 1093 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 489 Views
Re: Thereby... Camilla - 16/09/2009 10:40:18 AM 1154 Views
I love that line, and nothing you say will change that. Legolas - 15/09/2009 11:15:29 PM 983 Views
That line is great smaug - 15/09/2009 11:21:03 PM 998 Views
Jordan didn't have the good sense TO FINISH ANY FUCKING PLOT THREAD Tom - 15/09/2009 04:46:06 AM 984 Views
Wow, the vehemence. Craig - 15/09/2009 05:55:38 AM 1008 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 586 Views
Yes. Werthead - 15/09/2009 03:38:34 PM 1005 Views
burn *NM* LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:24:49 PM 467 Views
Relevant post as always Celia *NM* Walker_Boh - 15/09/2009 11:36:34 PM 563 Views
So you say... Tom - 16/09/2009 02:17:47 AM 978 Views
No, he didn't. Werthead - 16/09/2009 04:44:31 AM 1043 Views
Re: Jordan didn't have the good sense TO FINISH ANY FUCKING PLOT THREAD Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:05:26 AM 1015 Views
His attitude to history isn't really any different from that of most writers Tom - 15/09/2009 01:54:55 PM 981 Views
Except Camilla - 15/09/2009 04:56:23 PM 1004 Views
And ALSO except Tom - 17/09/2009 02:59:03 PM 1096 Views
Re: And ALSO except Camilla - 17/09/2009 05:27:40 PM 992 Views
I vehemently disagree with this! Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:33:05 PM 1267 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 1026 Views
I'd have a slow moving plot to fast moving nonsense any day. fionwe1987 - 15/09/2009 05:36:20 AM 1083 Views
With Jordan, that movement was glacial Tom - 15/09/2009 01:58:08 PM 978 Views
so...your problem with jordan is that you're impatient? LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:26:07 PM 924 Views
How many of us can say we're not antsy to know what happened? nossy - 15/09/2009 05:03:24 PM 981 Views
So plot progression is all that matters? What about the other stuff I mentioned? *NM* fionwe1987 - 15/09/2009 04:50:06 PM 460 Views
Jordan's characters are just as two-dimensional as Brown's Tom - 16/09/2009 02:17:19 AM 936 Views
Bull... fionwe1987 - 16/09/2009 03:15:49 AM 985 Views
No, I think you're just blinded by liking WoT Tom - 17/09/2009 03:00:28 PM 947 Views
No, you seem to be blinded by disliking him, more like. Legolas - 17/09/2009 06:25:21 PM 962 Views
It's not hyperbole. Tom - 17/09/2009 08:13:47 PM 987 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 1004 Views
No it isn't, and I won't. I'm bored with this debate. *NM* Tom - 18/09/2009 02:57:00 PM 522 Views
Yeah like that's not the case with you and Dan Brown. fionwe1987 - 17/09/2009 06:56:37 PM 1008 Views
I don't think Dan Brown is a stellar writer. Tom - 17/09/2009 08:11:41 PM 966 Views
Heh. It was "favourite" fantasy series not "best". Rebekah - 17/09/2009 08:19:02 PM 960 Views
Then why defend him? fionwe1987 - 18/09/2009 12:14:35 AM 926 Views
No Camilla - 18/09/2009 10:09:02 AM 1099 Views
Examples. Werthead - 17/09/2009 01:53:21 AM 1160 Views
LOL Rebekah - 17/09/2009 03:16:23 PM 1021 Views
Because he is shit? Camilla - 14/09/2009 09:38:59 PM 1224 Views
Camilla, you've read shit before and liked it. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:43:24 AM 992 Views
Re: Camilla, you've read shit before and liked it. Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:04:18 AM 978 Views
Yes, I was talking about the book. Tom - 15/09/2009 01:58:54 PM 930 Views
Re: Yes, I was talking about the book. Camilla - 15/09/2009 04:56:53 PM 925 Views
Also Camilla - 14/09/2009 09:41:25 PM 1019 Views
Hate is a strong word. PhotoJim - 14/09/2009 09:44:02 PM 1093 Views
Nicely put. *NM* Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:46:03 PM 497 Views
*NM* Tashmere - 15/09/2009 04:16:35 AM 506 Views
He still didn't dick around with us as long as Robert Jordan did. *NM* Tom - 15/09/2009 04:41:01 AM 500 Views
I'm not disagreeing with you on that one. *NM* PhotoJim - 15/09/2009 12:12:52 PM 528 Views
Elitism and frustration he sells so much and better authors don't? Legolas - 14/09/2009 09:51:39 PM 928 Views
I think so. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:40:20 AM 993 Views
you thought meyers was entertaining???? LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:28:48 PM 951 Views
You thought it wasn't entertaining? Darth_Katie - 15/09/2009 07:42:06 PM 960 Views
I would phrase that 'better' authors Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:29:54 PM 973 Views
Okay, fair enough. Legolas - 15/09/2009 11:16:56 PM 883 Views
Given that I know nothing about Dan Brown nossy - 14/09/2009 09:54:15 PM 1074 Views
Pfft! ~locks your reply~ Rebekah - 14/09/2009 10:00:23 PM 970 Views
ooo, lock me baby! nossy - 14/09/2009 10:12:48 PM 1043 Views
A couple of the above points, and Suspension of Disbelief. Craig - 14/09/2009 10:23:26 PM 1036 Views
Good point about the "Ridiculous Things", that bugged me too. Legolas - 14/09/2009 10:35:32 PM 1095 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 941 Views
There is really only a difference if you're looking for some higher learnin' nossy - 14/09/2009 10:52:39 PM 1012 Views
That statement makes no sense. *NM* jh - 14/09/2009 10:55:53 PM 392 Views
She must have been reading too much Dan Brown. Rebekah - 14/09/2009 10:58:51 PM 972 Views
Yes it does nossy - 14/09/2009 11:00:41 PM 934 Views
Only to the strangest of elitists. *NM* Ghavrel - 15/09/2009 12:49:53 AM 515 Views
Go read screenplays for fun, populist. *NM* jh - 15/09/2009 10:20:01 AM 536 Views
Ghavrel - 15/09/2009 06:25:26 PM 967 Views
Oh, I am sorry. jh - 16/09/2009 11:11:07 AM 860 Views
Well... Craig - 14/09/2009 11:16:00 PM 942 Views
I accept your points, but also your final statement Tom - 15/09/2009 04:38:46 AM 929 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 1003 Views
You didn't even like him as Mugatu in Zoolander? *NM* Tom - 15/09/2009 01:47:57 PM 499 Views
Now, now. Craig - 15/09/2009 07:03:48 PM 940 Views
Suspension of disbelief is a relative thing random thoughts - 15/09/2009 11:25:32 PM 1016 Views
Damn near everything is a relative thing. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:25:48 AM 1021 Views
I'm indifferent to him Larry - 15/09/2009 01:14:37 AM 999 Views
If you're indifferent, you are apparently in a minority. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:36:28 AM 948 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 513 Views
Eh, I enjoyed DaVinci better. You can all crucify me now. Craig - 15/09/2009 01:49:28 AM 930 Views
Re: Eh, I enjoyed DaVinci better. You can all crucify me now. RandAllThor - 15/09/2009 01:54:17 AM 1065 Views
Re: Rose Craig - 15/09/2009 02:16:53 AM 953 Views
As someone who appreciated Foucault's Pendulum I don't argue his mediocrity. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:30:31 AM 827 Views
I agree with your last sentence strongly. Joker - 26/09/2009 08:18:42 PM 1170 Views
I don't hate him, and I've never read any of his books Brian - 15/09/2009 01:45:37 AM 935 Views
He was over hyped to me. Tashmere - 15/09/2009 04:15:32 AM 950 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 499 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 1046 Views
I agree it was way overhyped. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:12:39 AM 887 Views
Heh, I actually had the opposite. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:26:55 AM 958 Views
The thing I hate the most is actually the fans who suddenly "know" stuff.... Sophy - 15/09/2009 07:49:22 AM 1080 Views
Yes! *NM* Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:06:35 AM 480 Views
I try to avoid stupid people like that altogether Tom - 15/09/2009 01:49:53 PM 883 Views
And move to a deserted island? Sophy - 15/09/2009 02:33:01 PM 1133 Views
Those people are everywhere, but you don't have to talk to them Tom - 17/09/2009 03:02:24 PM 1007 Views
Lol. I agree wholeheartedly. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:17:51 AM 1004 Views
My take on why Dan Brown is so disliked. MightyYT - 15/09/2009 08:51:04 AM 1047 Views
As I've said before, I don't disagree that he's a mediocre writer Tom - 15/09/2009 01:52:23 PM 929 Views
He 'true' book claims 5 million women were killed during the witch hunt AgentOrange - 15/09/2009 11:55:40 AM 943 Views
I would hardly say I hate him Mark - 15/09/2009 02:33:13 PM 989 Views
I think it's more the totally inexplicable nature of his success Werthead - 15/09/2009 03:48:28 PM 1109 Views
Eragon and Twilight indicate all that is evil to me in the world LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:33:29 PM 1080 Views
I hardly think it's that inexplicable. Legolas - 15/09/2009 04:33:39 PM 947 Views
Honestly, his works play on a very basic fact of human psychology., everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:23:56 AM 1043 Views
Misplaced superiority. Jacob - 15/09/2009 05:10:34 PM 1021 Views
Well, regarding goodkind... jh - 15/09/2009 05:23:34 PM 982 Views
I couldn't say... Jacob - 15/09/2009 05:57:12 PM 1047 Views
well, you stuck with the poor quality books longer than me. *NM* jh - 16/09/2009 12:39:23 AM 491 Views
It's pure literary snobbery Wibble - 15/09/2009 11:08:44 PM 987 Views
I agree with you 100%. Tom - 16/09/2009 02:20:11 AM 913 Views
Very nice summary. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:32:38 AM 1064 Views
That's more than a little unfair. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:29:59 AM 924 Views
Dan Brown is a snob. Sophy - 16/09/2009 06:32:21 AM 1082 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 1194 Views
because all of the cool kids hate him random thoughts - 15/09/2009 11:17:29 PM 865 Views
He has an enormous schwanzstucker. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 16/09/2009 01:18:37 AM 653 Views
I figured that'd set most guys against him. *NM* rebelaessedai - 16/09/2009 01:51:56 AM 516 Views
I don't get it either. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:01:04 AM 913 Views
I think you'll appreciate this Tom Geoff - 16/09/2009 03:03:24 PM 1115 Views
Hmm. The sneerathon seems like a good idea. jh - 16/09/2009 03:52:15 PM 960 Views
That was lovely, thank you! Tom - 17/09/2009 03:04:46 PM 947 Views
My pleasure Geoff - 17/09/2009 03:58:31 PM 999 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 525 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 476 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 651 Views
How do you know? *NM* jh - 18/09/2009 04:57:15 PM 518 Views
I pop in there on occasion. TaskmasterJack - 18/09/2009 05:09:59 PM 1240 Views
Oh, it's a job. jh - 18/09/2009 07:35:32 PM 1065 Views
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