The key to Dan Brown’s success

columbus · 08-15-2009, 03:17 PM

Comment from the UK Times - read the full story here

Quote:

Critics hate him, readers devour him, publishers are in awe of his Midas touch. As the clock ticks down to Dan Brown’s latest opus, we unlock the mystery of how an Elton John wannabe became the defining author of our time

Quote:

On May 7, 2005, the horror author Stephen King gave the commencement address to graduates at the University of Maine, his home state. In it, he half-joked: “If I show up at your house in ten years from now ... and find nothing on your bedroom night table but the newest Dan Brown novel ... I’ll chase you to the end of your driveway,

thianliongpatpoh · 08-15-2009, 03:38 PM

I've preordered the next ebook. Love the previous two, enjoyed reading them, hate the movies because of elimination of some characters.
I don't understand why critics hate and bash Dan Brown.

rcuadro · 08-15-2009, 03:42 PM

I preordered the book also. I also dont know why critics hate him but I enjoy the books and that is what counts for me

wodin · 08-15-2009, 03:50 PM

I never met a critic that I agreed with. The whole premise of critics is arrogant, imagine someone having the gall to tell me what I (should) like.

zerospinboson · 08-15-2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodin

I never met a critic that I agreed with. The whole premise of critics is arrogant, imagine someone having the gall to tell me what I (should) like.

Intriguing. Then how do you feel about those wonderfully, and imo aptly named, "blurbs"? (to me suggesting the contents are on par with a flatulent episode)

Quote:

Originally Posted by thianliongpatpoh

I don't understand why critics hate and bash Dan Brown.

It's amusingly explained in places like this one ;-)

Tom Swift · 08-15-2009, 04:13 PM

I could never get through the first three Chapters of Da Vinci. Horrible writing, inane premise. What pissed me off the most though is how so many people seemed to think that his books are factual. After a while trying to explain proving a negative to people, I just gave up.

wodin · 08-15-2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zerospinboson

Intriguing. Then how do you feel about those wonderfully, and imo aptly named, "blurbs"? (to me suggesting the contents are on par with a flatulent episode)

Speaking as an "Old F@&!" I feel as though they are just that.

Sparrow · 08-15-2009, 04:21 PM

I think having already read 'The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail' pretty much ruined 'The Da Vinci Code' for me - it was constant deja vu.

I might try one of his others when I'm in the mood.

doreenjoy · 08-15-2009, 04:23 PM

As a corollary, I hate when people tell me what I should like.

I couldn't get past page one of Da Vinci Code. It's all telling, no showing, and the prose was just awful IMO. I completely agree with the link provided above.

But tastes do vary, and plenty disagree with me, so more power to Dan Brown.

sassanik · 08-15-2009, 04:29 PM

It strikes me that many of the critics are probably the ones that picked out the high school english class books, which were totally hated by me and if I did not read other books before that it would have entirely turned me off to reading.

I think of Dan Brown as being alot like Clive Cussler, sure his books are outrageous and the situations in them are HIGHLY unlikely, yet are enjoyable escapism.

Do books have to have a deep literatary meaning? Sure some have one, but most don't.

I would say that Dan Brown writes well for his intended audience who like the way he explains things and even enjoy the fact that his writing style is more accessable than some of those "classic" books.

As for editing, has anyone read The Life of Pi? I thought that the author needed to go back to school and learn how to make a chapter, and that his editor needed to actually do his job. But my understanding is that this book was highly praised? Each person has their own idea of what is a good book.

Just look at movies, there are many serious movies that have deep intellectual value, but the market is flooded with simple, and yes often stupid, comedies because that is what people enjoy.

If only I could write as badly as Dan Brown I too could be a millionare!

Amy

lilac_jive · 08-15-2009, 05:27 PM

I read the DaVinci Code the week it came out (worked in a bookstore, and they wanted employees to read it since they thought it would be a big hit). I enjoyed it, so I read his other stuff. Angels and Demons was cool, but then I read one of the other two, and realized I had just read three books that were exactly the same. Now, I perfectly OK with people enjoying a "fun" book, but he really is a poor writer, when you get down to it. I got so involved in the plot of DaVinci I didn't notice, but afterwards looking back I realized how poorly written it was.

Remind you, I read fun fluffy romance novels, so it's not a case of me being picky about literature. I hate that people elevate him to some amazing author when he isn't (and also believe what he writes in the books). I won't be reading his next book.

Also, I hear his French is atrocious.

kikar · 08-15-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparrow

I think having already read 'The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail' pretty much ruined 'The Da Vinci Code' for me - it was constant deja vu.

I might try one of his others when I'm in the mood.

That is what ruined it for me as well. I heard so much about 'The Da Vinci Code' that I went out and bought it. Once I started reading it though it felt to me as if Dan Brown had a copy of 'The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail' beside him as he was writing. So I went back to read his first book 'Digital Fortress' and it was different writing and hard to get through.
And while I do not really like his work my wife does so I will be buying his new book when it comes out.

phenomshel · 08-15-2009, 06:02 PM

I really hope poor MoeJoe stays out of this thread, for fear of him having a stroke!
As previously noted, I've enjoyed everything of Dan Brown's that I've read, with the exception of Deception Point. I'm looking forward to the new release.

That being said: I am not about to even try to convince anyone that Dan Brown is the greatest writer the world has ever seen. He isn't. And even if he WAS - as my signature implies - we all have different tastes, everyone is never going to like the same thing, and wouldn't the world be pretty darn boring if we did?

Gunnerp245 · 08-15-2009, 06:06 PM

The more Dan Brown's books, demeanor, and credibility are questioned the more they sell. Having not read his books, yet, did he give any credit or mention to Henry Lincoln?
Gunner...

Gideon · 08-15-2009, 06:11 PM

There's a place for everything... one doesn't always want to read serious literature. I think Dan Brown's books are the book equivalent of a reality TV show but I had fun reading The Da Vinci Code even if I was very curious as to why it was as popular as it was.

I wouldn't bother reading the rest... if I'm going to do a 'fun read' I still think there's more than enough better than that out there: Pratchett, Palahuik, Stephen King, Clive Barker... etc.

08-15-2009, 04:29 PM	#10
sassanik Guru Posts: 774 Karma: 1211741 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Oregon Device: EB1150, iPhone, Cool-er Purple, Pocketbook 360, Kindle Fire	critics It strikes me that many of the critics are probably the ones that picked out the high school english class books, which were totally hated by me and if I did not read other books before that it would have entirely turned me off to reading. I think of Dan Brown as being alot like Clive Cussler, sure his books are outrageous and the situations in them are HIGHLY unlikely, yet are enjoyable escapism. Do books have to have a deep literatary meaning? Sure some have one, but most don't. I would say that Dan Brown writes well for his intended audience who like the way he explains things and even enjoy the fact that his writing style is more accessable than some of those "classic" books. As for editing, has anyone read The Life of Pi? I thought that the author needed to go back to school and learn how to make a chapter, and that his editor needed to actually do his job. But my understanding is that this book was highly praised? Each person has their own idea of what is a good book. Just look at movies, there are many serious movies that have deep intellectual value, but the market is flooded with simple, and yes often stupid, comedies because that is what people enjoy. If only I could write as badly as Dan Brown I too could be a millionare! Amy

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08-15-2009, 03:38 PM	#2
thianliongpatpoh Zealot Posts: 101 Karma: 218 Join Date: Aug 2008 Device: iPad	I've preordered the next ebook. Love the previous two, enjoyed reading them, hate the movies because of elimination of some characters. I don't understand why critics hate and bash Dan Brown.

08-15-2009, 03:42 PM	#3
rcuadro Wizard Posts: 1,686 Karma: 874275 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Device: Kindle DX	I preordered the book also. I also dont know why critics hate him but I enjoy the books and that is what counts for me

08-15-2009, 03:50 PM	#4
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	I never met a critic that I agreed with. The whole premise of critics is arrogant, imagine someone having the gall to tell me what I (should) like.

08-15-2009, 04:13 PM	#6
Tom Swift Addict Posts: 250 Karma: 1232346 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Macau Device: Kindle Oasis (plus lots of older devices)	I could never get through the first three Chapters of Da Vinci. Horrible writing, inane premise. What pissed me off the most though is how so many people seemed to think that his books are factual. After a while trying to explain proving a negative to people, I just gave up.

08-15-2009, 04:21 PM	#8
Sparrow Wizard Posts: 4,395 Karma: 1358132 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: Palm TX, CyBook Gen3	I think having already read 'The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail' pretty much ruined 'The Da Vinci Code' for me - it was constant deja vu. I might try one of his others when I'm in the mood.

08-15-2009, 04:23 PM	#9
doreenjoy 01000100 01001010 Posts: 1,889 Karma: 2400000 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Polyamorous	As a corollary, I hate when people tell me what I should like. I couldn't get past page one of Da Vinci Code. It's all telling, no showing, and the prose was just awful IMO. I completely agree with the link provided above. But tastes do vary, and plenty disagree with me, so more power to Dan Brown.

08-15-2009, 05:27 PM	#11
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	I read the DaVinci Code the week it came out (worked in a bookstore, and they wanted employees to read it since they thought it would be a big hit). I enjoyed it, so I read his other stuff. Angels and Demons was cool, but then I read one of the other two, and realized I had just read three books that were exactly the same. Now, I perfectly OK with people enjoying a "fun" book, but he really is a poor writer, when you get down to it. I got so involved in the plot of DaVinci I didn't notice, but afterwards looking back I realized how poorly written it was. Remind you, I read fun fluffy romance novels, so it's not a case of me being picky about literature. I hate that people elevate him to some amazing author when he isn't (and also believe what he writes in the books). I won't be reading his next book. Also, I hear his French is atrocious.

08-15-2009, 06:02 PM	#13
phenomshel ZCD BombShel Posts: 4,793 Karma: 8293322 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Frozen North (aka Illinois, USA) Device: iPad, STB Kindle Oasis	I really hope poor MoeJoe stays out of this thread, for fear of him having a stroke! As previously noted, I've enjoyed everything of Dan Brown's that I've read, with the exception of Deception Point. I'm looking forward to the new release. That being said: I am not about to even try to convince anyone that Dan Brown is the greatest writer the world has ever seen. He isn't. And even if he WAS - as my signature implies - we all have different tastes, everyone is never going to like the same thing, and wouldn't the world be pretty darn boring if we did?

08-15-2009, 06:06 PM	#14
Gunnerp245 Gadget Freak Posts: 1,169 Karma: 1043832 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: US Device: EE, Note 8	The more Dan Brown's books, demeanor, and credibility are questioned the more they sell. Having not read his books, yet, did he give any credit or mention to Henry Lincoln? Gunner...

08-15-2009, 06:11 PM	#15
Gideon Wearer of Pants Posts: 1,050 Karma: 7634 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norman, OK Device: Amazon Kindle DX / iPhone	There's a place for everything... one doesn't always want to read serious literature. I think Dan Brown's books are the book equivalent of a reality TV show but I had fun reading The Da Vinci Code even if I was very curious as to why it was as popular as it was. I wouldn't bother reading the rest... if I'm going to do a 'fun read' I still think there's more than enough better than that out there: Pratchett, Palahuik, Stephen King, Clive Barker... etc.