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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 2310 Views
His prose is bad. Very bad. Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:28:28 PM 1166 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 1036 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 1192 Views
In defense of italics... smaug - 14/09/2009 11:58:35 PM 1111 Views
Re: In defense of italics... Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:02:56 AM 1132 Views
I just rechecked... smaug - 15/09/2009 11:17:23 AM 1044 Views
Thereby... Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:31:44 PM 1070 Views
I have a problem with comparing those italics. Rebekah - 15/09/2009 10:33:53 PM 1073 Views
Oh probably Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:40:15 PM 1089 Views
Hehe Rebekah - 15/09/2009 10:42:23 PM 1157 Views
In defense of nothing in particular... smaug - 15/09/2009 11:16:09 PM 1158 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 513 Views
Re: Thereby... Camilla - 16/09/2009 10:40:18 AM 1227 Views
I love that line, and nothing you say will change that. Legolas - 15/09/2009 11:15:29 PM 1047 Views
That line is great smaug - 15/09/2009 11:21:03 PM 1078 Views
Jordan didn't have the good sense TO FINISH ANY FUCKING PLOT THREAD Tom - 15/09/2009 04:46:06 AM 1058 Views
Wow, the vehemence. Craig - 15/09/2009 05:55:38 AM 1084 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 615 Views
Yes. Werthead - 15/09/2009 03:38:34 PM 1071 Views
burn *NM* LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:24:49 PM 497 Views
Relevant post as always Celia *NM* Walker_Boh - 15/09/2009 11:36:34 PM 588 Views
So you say... Tom - 16/09/2009 02:17:47 AM 1047 Views
No, he didn't. Werthead - 16/09/2009 04:44:31 AM 1128 Views
Re: Jordan didn't have the good sense TO FINISH ANY FUCKING PLOT THREAD Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:05:26 AM 1090 Views
His attitude to history isn't really any different from that of most writers Tom - 15/09/2009 01:54:55 PM 1058 Views
Except Camilla - 15/09/2009 04:56:23 PM 1064 Views
And ALSO except Tom - 17/09/2009 02:59:03 PM 1162 Views
Re: And ALSO except Camilla - 17/09/2009 05:27:40 PM 1058 Views
I vehemently disagree with this! Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:33:05 PM 1343 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 1096 Views
I'd have a slow moving plot to fast moving nonsense any day. fionwe1987 - 15/09/2009 05:36:20 AM 1151 Views
With Jordan, that movement was glacial Tom - 15/09/2009 01:58:08 PM 1052 Views
so...your problem with jordan is that you're impatient? LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:26:07 PM 999 Views
How many of us can say we're not antsy to know what happened? nossy - 15/09/2009 05:03:24 PM 1057 Views
So plot progression is all that matters? What about the other stuff I mentioned? *NM* fionwe1987 - 15/09/2009 04:50:06 PM 495 Views
Jordan's characters are just as two-dimensional as Brown's Tom - 16/09/2009 02:17:19 AM 1005 Views
Bull... fionwe1987 - 16/09/2009 03:15:49 AM 1053 Views
No, I think you're just blinded by liking WoT Tom - 17/09/2009 03:00:28 PM 1021 Views
No, you seem to be blinded by disliking him, more like. Legolas - 17/09/2009 06:25:21 PM 1039 Views
It's not hyperbole. Tom - 17/09/2009 08:13:47 PM 1059 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 1082 Views
No it isn't, and I won't. I'm bored with this debate. *NM* Tom - 18/09/2009 02:57:00 PM 537 Views
Yeah like that's not the case with you and Dan Brown. fionwe1987 - 17/09/2009 06:56:37 PM 1088 Views
I don't think Dan Brown is a stellar writer. Tom - 17/09/2009 08:11:41 PM 1033 Views
Heh. It was "favourite" fantasy series not "best". Rebekah - 17/09/2009 08:19:02 PM 1030 Views
Then why defend him? fionwe1987 - 18/09/2009 12:14:35 AM 1003 Views
No Camilla - 18/09/2009 10:09:02 AM 1164 Views
Examples. Werthead - 17/09/2009 01:53:21 AM 1244 Views
LOL Rebekah - 17/09/2009 03:16:23 PM 1090 Views
Because he is shit? Camilla - 14/09/2009 09:38:59 PM 1296 Views
Camilla, you've read shit before and liked it. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:43:24 AM 1071 Views
Re: Camilla, you've read shit before and liked it. Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:04:18 AM 1049 Views
Yes, I was talking about the book. Tom - 15/09/2009 01:58:54 PM 998 Views
Re: Yes, I was talking about the book. Camilla - 15/09/2009 04:56:53 PM 990 Views
Also Camilla - 14/09/2009 09:41:25 PM 1085 Views
Hate is a strong word. PhotoJim - 14/09/2009 09:44:02 PM 1160 Views
Nicely put. *NM* Rebekah - 14/09/2009 09:46:03 PM 521 Views
*NM* Tashmere - 15/09/2009 04:16:35 AM 533 Views
He still didn't dick around with us as long as Robert Jordan did. *NM* Tom - 15/09/2009 04:41:01 AM 545 Views
I'm not disagreeing with you on that one. *NM* PhotoJim - 15/09/2009 12:12:52 PM 559 Views
Elitism and frustration he sells so much and better authors don't? Legolas - 14/09/2009 09:51:39 PM 1002 Views
I think so. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:40:20 AM 1067 Views
you thought meyers was entertaining???? LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:28:48 PM 1024 Views
You thought it wasn't entertaining? Darth_Katie - 15/09/2009 07:42:06 PM 1031 Views
I would phrase that 'better' authors Wibble - 15/09/2009 10:29:54 PM 1042 Views
Okay, fair enough. Legolas - 15/09/2009 11:16:56 PM 954 Views
Given that I know nothing about Dan Brown nossy - 14/09/2009 09:54:15 PM 1146 Views
Pfft! ~locks your reply~ Rebekah - 14/09/2009 10:00:23 PM 1049 Views
ooo, lock me baby! nossy - 14/09/2009 10:12:48 PM 1114 Views
A couple of the above points, and Suspension of Disbelief. Craig - 14/09/2009 10:23:26 PM 1120 Views
Good point about the "Ridiculous Things", that bugged me too. Legolas - 14/09/2009 10:35:32 PM 1160 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 1017 Views
There is really only a difference if you're looking for some higher learnin' nossy - 14/09/2009 10:52:39 PM 1089 Views
That statement makes no sense. *NM* jh - 14/09/2009 10:55:53 PM 421 Views
She must have been reading too much Dan Brown. Rebekah - 14/09/2009 10:58:51 PM 1038 Views
Yes it does nossy - 14/09/2009 11:00:41 PM 1008 Views
Only to the strangest of elitists. *NM* Ghavrel - 15/09/2009 12:49:53 AM 550 Views
Go read screenplays for fun, populist. *NM* jh - 15/09/2009 10:20:01 AM 560 Views
Ghavrel - 15/09/2009 06:25:26 PM 1037 Views
Oh, I am sorry. jh - 16/09/2009 11:11:07 AM 926 Views
Well... Craig - 14/09/2009 11:16:00 PM 1017 Views
I accept your points, but also your final statement Tom - 15/09/2009 04:38:46 AM 1010 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 1080 Views
You didn't even like him as Mugatu in Zoolander? *NM* Tom - 15/09/2009 01:47:57 PM 523 Views
Now, now. Craig - 15/09/2009 07:03:48 PM 1013 Views
Suspension of disbelief is a relative thing random thoughts - 15/09/2009 11:25:32 PM 1098 Views
Damn near everything is a relative thing. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:25:48 AM 1085 Views
I'm indifferent to him Larry - 15/09/2009 01:14:37 AM 1073 Views
If you're indifferent, you are apparently in a minority. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:36:28 AM 1024 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 541 Views
Eh, I enjoyed DaVinci better. You can all crucify me now. Craig - 15/09/2009 01:49:28 AM 992 Views
Re: Eh, I enjoyed DaVinci better. You can all crucify me now. RandAllThor - 15/09/2009 01:54:17 AM 1138 Views
Re: Rose Craig - 15/09/2009 02:16:53 AM 1022 Views
As someone who appreciated Foucault's Pendulum I don't argue his mediocrity. Tom - 15/09/2009 04:30:31 AM 901 Views
I agree with your last sentence strongly. Joker - 26/09/2009 08:18:42 PM 1239 Views
I don't hate him, and I've never read any of his books Brian - 15/09/2009 01:45:37 AM 1007 Views
He was over hyped to me. Tashmere - 15/09/2009 04:15:32 AM 1024 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 521 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 1111 Views
I agree it was way overhyped. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:12:39 AM 957 Views
Heh, I actually had the opposite. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:26:55 AM 1059 Views
The thing I hate the most is actually the fans who suddenly "know" stuff.... Sophy - 15/09/2009 07:49:22 AM 1149 Views
Yes! *NM* Camilla - 15/09/2009 08:06:35 AM 510 Views
I try to avoid stupid people like that altogether Tom - 15/09/2009 01:49:53 PM 962 Views
And move to a deserted island? Sophy - 15/09/2009 02:33:01 PM 1216 Views
Those people are everywhere, but you don't have to talk to them Tom - 17/09/2009 03:02:24 PM 1078 Views
Lol. I agree wholeheartedly. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:17:51 AM 1067 Views
My take on why Dan Brown is so disliked. MightyYT - 15/09/2009 08:51:04 AM 1127 Views
As I've said before, I don't disagree that he's a mediocre writer Tom - 15/09/2009 01:52:23 PM 1005 Views
He 'true' book claims 5 million women were killed during the witch hunt AgentOrange - 15/09/2009 11:55:40 AM 1017 Views
I would hardly say I hate him Mark - 15/09/2009 02:33:13 PM 1060 Views
I think it's more the totally inexplicable nature of his success Werthead - 15/09/2009 03:48:28 PM 1172 Views
Eragon and Twilight indicate all that is evil to me in the world LadyLorraine - 15/09/2009 04:33:29 PM 1148 Views
I hardly think it's that inexplicable. Legolas - 15/09/2009 04:33:39 PM 1016 Views
Honestly, his works play on a very basic fact of human psychology., everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:23:56 AM 1113 Views
Misplaced superiority. Jacob - 15/09/2009 05:10:34 PM 1079 Views
Well, regarding goodkind... jh - 15/09/2009 05:23:34 PM 1045 Views
I couldn't say... Jacob - 15/09/2009 05:57:12 PM 1121 Views
well, you stuck with the poor quality books longer than me. *NM* jh - 16/09/2009 12:39:23 AM 522 Views
It's pure literary snobbery Wibble - 15/09/2009 11:08:44 PM 1056 Views
I agree with you 100%. Tom - 16/09/2009 02:20:11 AM 984 Views
Very nice summary. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:32:38 AM 1138 Views
That's more than a little unfair. Craig - 16/09/2009 05:29:59 AM 1004 Views
Dan Brown is a snob. Sophy - 16/09/2009 06:32:21 AM 1150 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 1264 Views
because all of the cool kids hate him random thoughts - 15/09/2009 11:17:29 PM 932 Views
He has an enormous schwanzstucker. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 16/09/2009 01:18:37 AM 679 Views
I figured that'd set most guys against him. *NM* rebelaessedai - 16/09/2009 01:51:56 AM 540 Views
I don't get it either. everynametaken - 16/09/2009 02:01:04 AM 992 Views
I think you'll appreciate this Tom Geoff - 16/09/2009 03:03:24 PM 1188 Views
Hmm. The sneerathon seems like a good idea. jh - 16/09/2009 03:52:15 PM 1025 Views
That was lovely, thank you! Tom - 17/09/2009 03:04:46 PM 1025 Views
My pleasure Geoff - 17/09/2009 03:58:31 PM 1071 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 551 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 499 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 681 Views
How do you know? *NM* jh - 18/09/2009 04:57:15 PM 547 Views
I pop in there on occasion. TaskmasterJack - 18/09/2009 05:09:59 PM 1310 Views
Oh, it's a job. jh - 18/09/2009 07:35:32 PM 1141 Views
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