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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 2241 Views
His prose is bad. Very bad. Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:28:28 PM 1090 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 960 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 1118 Views
In defense of italics... smaug - 14/09/2009 11:58:35 PM 1042 Views
Re: In defense of italics... Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:02:56 AM 1067 Views
I just rechecked... smaug - 15/09/2009 11:17:23 AM 971 Views
Thereby... Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:31:44 PM 1007 Views
I have a problem with comparing those italics. Rebekah - 15/09/2009 10:33:53 PM 1012 Views
Oh probably Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:40:15 PM 1010 Views
Hehe Rebekah - 15/09/2009 10:42:23 PM 1094 Views
In defense of nothing in particular... smaug - 15/09/2009 11:16:09 PM 1097 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 490 Views
Re: Thereby... Camilla - 16/09/2009 10:40:18 AM 1157 Views
I love that line, and nothing you say will change that. Legolas - 15/09/2009 11:15:29 PM 986 Views
That line is great smaug - 15/09/2009 11:21:03 PM 1002 Views
Jordan didn't have the good sense TO FINISH ANY FUCKING PLOT THREAD Tom - 15/09/2009 04:46:06 AM 987 Views
Wow, the vehemence. Craig - 15/09/2009 05:55:38 AM 1011 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 587 Views
Yes. Werthead - 15/09/2009 03:38:34 PM 1008 Views
burn *NM* LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:24:49 PM 468 Views
Relevant post as always Celia *NM* Walker_Boh - 15/09/2009 11:36:34 PM 564 Views
So you say... Tom - 16/09/2009 02:17:47 AM 981 Views
No, he didn't. Werthead - 16/09/2009 04:44:31 AM 1047 Views
Re: Jordan didn't have the good sense TO FINISH ANY FUCKING PLOT THREAD Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:05:26 AM 1019 Views
His attitude to history isn't really any different from that of most writers Tom - 15/09/2009 01:54:55 PM 985 Views
Except Camilla - 15/09/2009 04:56:23 PM 1007 Views
And ALSO except Tom - 17/09/2009 02:59:03 PM 1099 Views
Re: And ALSO except Camilla - 17/09/2009 05:27:40 PM 995 Views
I vehemently disagree with this! Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:33:05 PM 1270 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 1029 Views
I'd have a slow moving plot to fast moving nonsense any day. fionwe1987 - 15/09/2009 05:36:20 AM 1086 Views
With Jordan, that movement was glacial Tom - 15/09/2009 01:58:08 PM 982 Views
so...your problem with jordan is that you're impatient? LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:26:07 PM 930 Views
How many of us can say we're not antsy to know what happened? nossy - 15/09/2009 05:03:24 PM 987 Views
So plot progression is all that matters? What about the other stuff I mentioned? *NM* fionwe1987 - 15/09/2009 04:50:06 PM 462 Views
Jordan's characters are just as two-dimensional as Brown's Tom - 16/09/2009 02:17:19 AM 939 Views
Bull... fionwe1987 - 16/09/2009 03:15:49 AM 989 Views
No, I think you're just blinded by liking WoT Tom - 17/09/2009 03:00:28 PM 950 Views
No, you seem to be blinded by disliking him, more like. Legolas - 17/09/2009 06:25:21 PM 968 Views
It's not hyperbole. Tom - 17/09/2009 08:13:47 PM 992 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 1009 Views
No it isn't, and I won't. I'm bored with this debate. *NM* Tom - 18/09/2009 02:57:00 PM 523 Views
Yeah like that's not the case with you and Dan Brown. fionwe1987 - 17/09/2009 06:56:37 PM 1013 Views
I don't think Dan Brown is a stellar writer. Tom - 17/09/2009 08:11:41 PM 970 Views
Heh. It was "favourite" fantasy series not "best". Rebekah - 17/09/2009 08:19:02 PM 965 Views
Then why defend him? fionwe1987 - 18/09/2009 12:14:35 AM 929 Views
No Camilla - 18/09/2009 10:09:02 AM 1102 Views
Examples. Werthead - 17/09/2009 01:53:21 AM 1165 Views
LOL Rebekah - 17/09/2009 03:16:23 PM 1024 Views
Because he is shit? Camilla - 14/09/2009 09:38:59 PM 1228 Views
Camilla, you've read shit before and liked it. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:43:24 AM 997 Views
Re: Camilla, you've read shit before and liked it. Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:04:18 AM 983 Views
Yes, I was talking about the book. Tom - 15/09/2009 01:58:54 PM 933 Views
Re: Yes, I was talking about the book. Camilla - 15/09/2009 04:56:53 PM 929 Views
Also Camilla - 14/09/2009 09:41:25 PM 1023 Views
Hate is a strong word. PhotoJim - 14/09/2009 09:44:02 PM 1097 Views
Nicely put. *NM* Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:46:03 PM 499 Views
*NM* Tashmere - 15/09/2009 04:16:35 AM 507 Views
He still didn't dick around with us as long as Robert Jordan did. *NM* Tom - 15/09/2009 04:41:01 AM 504 Views
I'm not disagreeing with you on that one. *NM* PhotoJim - 15/09/2009 12:12:52 PM 530 Views
Elitism and frustration he sells so much and better authors don't? Legolas - 14/09/2009 09:51:39 PM 932 Views
I think so. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:40:20 AM 996 Views
you thought meyers was entertaining???? LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:28:48 PM 955 Views
You thought it wasn't entertaining? Darth_Katie - 15/09/2009 07:42:06 PM 964 Views
I would phrase that 'better' authors Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:29:54 PM 978 Views
Okay, fair enough. Legolas - 15/09/2009 11:16:56 PM 886 Views
Given that I know nothing about Dan Brown nossy - 14/09/2009 09:54:15 PM 1078 Views
Pfft! ~locks your reply~ Rebekah - 14/09/2009 10:00:23 PM 975 Views
ooo, lock me baby! nossy - 14/09/2009 10:12:48 PM 1046 Views
A couple of the above points, and Suspension of Disbelief. Craig - 14/09/2009 10:23:26 PM 1040 Views
Good point about the "Ridiculous Things", that bugged me too. Legolas - 14/09/2009 10:35:32 PM 1099 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 944 Views
There is really only a difference if you're looking for some higher learnin' nossy - 14/09/2009 10:52:39 PM 1017 Views
That statement makes no sense. *NM* jh - 14/09/2009 10:55:53 PM 394 Views
She must have been reading too much Dan Brown. Rebekah - 14/09/2009 10:58:51 PM 978 Views
Yes it does nossy - 14/09/2009 11:00:41 PM 938 Views
Only to the strangest of elitists. *NM* Ghavrel - 15/09/2009 12:49:53 AM 517 Views
Go read screenplays for fun, populist. *NM* jh - 15/09/2009 10:20:01 AM 538 Views
Ghavrel - 15/09/2009 06:25:26 PM 972 Views
Oh, I am sorry. jh - 16/09/2009 11:11:07 AM 864 Views
Well... Craig - 14/09/2009 11:16:00 PM 945 Views
I accept your points, but also your final statement Tom - 15/09/2009 04:38:46 AM 932 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 1007 Views
You didn't even like him as Mugatu in Zoolander? *NM* Tom - 15/09/2009 01:47:57 PM 500 Views
Now, now. Craig - 15/09/2009 07:03:48 PM 946 Views
Suspension of disbelief is a relative thing random thoughts - 15/09/2009 11:25:32 PM 1020 Views
Damn near everything is a relative thing. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:25:48 AM 1026 Views
I'm indifferent to him Larry - 15/09/2009 01:14:37 AM 1002 Views
If you're indifferent, you are apparently in a minority. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:36:28 AM 951 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 515 Views
Eh, I enjoyed DaVinci better. You can all crucify me now. Craig - 15/09/2009 01:49:28 AM 934 Views
Re: Eh, I enjoyed DaVinci better. You can all crucify me now. RandAllThor - 15/09/2009 01:54:17 AM 1070 Views
Re: Rose Craig - 15/09/2009 02:16:53 AM 958 Views
As someone who appreciated Foucault's Pendulum I don't argue his mediocrity. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:30:31 AM 831 Views
I agree with your last sentence strongly. Joker - 26/09/2009 08:18:42 PM 1172 Views
I don't hate him, and I've never read any of his books Brian - 15/09/2009 01:45:37 AM 939 Views
He was over hyped to me. Tashmere - 15/09/2009 04:15:32 AM 954 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 501 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 1050 Views
I agree it was way overhyped. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:12:39 AM 892 Views
Heh, I actually had the opposite. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:26:55 AM 966 Views
The thing I hate the most is actually the fans who suddenly "know" stuff.... Sophy - 15/09/2009 07:49:22 AM 1083 Views
Yes! *NM* Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:06:35 AM 481 Views
I try to avoid stupid people like that altogether Tom - 15/09/2009 01:49:53 PM 888 Views
And move to a deserted island? Sophy - 15/09/2009 02:33:01 PM 1138 Views
Those people are everywhere, but you don't have to talk to them Tom - 17/09/2009 03:02:24 PM 1010 Views
Lol. I agree wholeheartedly. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:17:51 AM 1008 Views
My take on why Dan Brown is so disliked. MightyYT - 15/09/2009 08:51:04 AM 1052 Views
As I've said before, I don't disagree that he's a mediocre writer Tom - 15/09/2009 01:52:23 PM 934 Views
He 'true' book claims 5 million women were killed during the witch hunt AgentOrange - 15/09/2009 11:55:40 AM 946 Views
I would hardly say I hate him Mark - 15/09/2009 02:33:13 PM 992 Views
I think it's more the totally inexplicable nature of his success Werthead - 15/09/2009 03:48:28 PM 1112 Views
Eragon and Twilight indicate all that is evil to me in the world LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:33:29 PM 1085 Views
I hardly think it's that inexplicable. Legolas - 15/09/2009 04:33:39 PM 951 Views
Honestly, his works play on a very basic fact of human psychology., everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:23:56 AM 1047 Views
Misplaced superiority. Jacob - 15/09/2009 05:10:34 PM 1024 Views
Well, regarding goodkind... jh - 15/09/2009 05:23:34 PM 986 Views
I couldn't say... Jacob - 15/09/2009 05:57:12 PM 1052 Views
well, you stuck with the poor quality books longer than me. *NM* jh - 16/09/2009 12:39:23 AM 493 Views
It's pure literary snobbery Wibble - 15/09/2009 11:08:44 PM 991 Views
I agree with you 100%. Tom - 16/09/2009 02:20:11 AM 919 Views
Very nice summary. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:32:38 AM 1068 Views
That's more than a little unfair. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:29:59 AM 928 Views
Dan Brown is a snob. Sophy - 16/09/2009 06:32:21 AM 1084 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 1197 Views
because all of the cool kids hate him random thoughts - 15/09/2009 11:17:29 PM 869 Views
He has an enormous schwanzstucker. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 16/09/2009 01:18:37 AM 654 Views
I figured that'd set most guys against him. *NM* rebelaessedai - 16/09/2009 01:51:56 AM 517 Views
I don't get it either. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:01:04 AM 917 Views
I think you'll appreciate this Tom Geoff - 16/09/2009 03:03:24 PM 1117 Views
Hmm. The sneerathon seems like a good idea. jh - 16/09/2009 03:52:15 PM 963 Views
That was lovely, thank you! Tom - 17/09/2009 03:04:46 PM 952 Views
My pleasure Geoff - 17/09/2009 03:58:31 PM 1002 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 526 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 477 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 520 Views
I pop in there on occasion. TaskmasterJack - 18/09/2009 05:09:59 PM 1242 Views
Oh, it's a job. jh - 18/09/2009 07:35:32 PM 1069 Views
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