The Works of Dan Brown

[marywebgirl]

My husband read this book after a good friend of ours had strongly recommended it, and I read it when my husband was finished. I hadn't found the FT forums yet, so all I knew was that the book was very popular. I kept thinking there was something wrong with me because the writing was so freaking terrible and the story was so stupid. Then I saw Dave Berry's column about how much it sucked, then I tracked it down on FT, and I knew I had found my people.

So what does everyone do when they hear people saying how much they liked it? I feel like a rude snob by saying I thought it sucked, so I usually just hold my tongue.

[marmie]

I bought DVC as a birthday present for my SO, who is about half way through it, and says it is very poorly written. I was wondering if I should attempt reading it, and then I discovered this thread. Thank you, people!

(A question though - how come it is such a huge bestseller? It's been number one for something like a hundred weeks. I find that astonishing. Doesn't say much for the readership.)

[tmi]

I agree with all of the above, especially the John Grisham comparison-- I tried reading a Grisham novel years ago, and can only liken the experience to trying to swim through gravel-filled molasses-- the prose was that horridly wooden. DVC is equally clunky, and the plot is SO contrived. I wish I knew how to do a spoiler tags here, but all I will say is: bar of soap.

Additionally: I sell a lot of copies of this book, and I really have to bite my tongue when I hear people talking about it very seriously, implying (or saying directly) that reading it somehow makes them intellectual. I know that makes me sound like a horrible snob-- maybe it's more a case of retail burn-- but ARGH.

I love to read trash, along with everything else-- but that's the kicker-- it hs to be READABLE.

I'll never get the image out of my head of Cameron from RW San Diego talking about reading it.

[snacktastic]

Aw hell, I liked the Da Vinci code. I found it entertaining and a fast read.

[joydisaster]

I think you should read it anyway, even though everyone agrees it is bad. It is still worth reading in many situations - sometimes a good suspenseful fluff thriller is just what you need, kwim? It might be poorly written and chock full of cliches etc, but it is still interesting. We have a new term in our house, "The DaVinci Code Syndrome" - when I see my husband gobbling up Dan Brown books I think, "It could be much worse, and at least he is reading."

[topher]

I read it and enjoyed it. It was a nice easy read. The best part is that the Roman Catholic church is having
a bit of a problem with the book.

[joydisaster]

To be totally honest, that is exactly why I decided to read it! My father, who has never, ever read a novel in his life (or any books,for that matter) knows a bit too much about DVC. We were in Barnes and Noble (he goes for the cupcakes!) and he said, "Oh I bet YOU'D like that DaVinci Code crap. That's an immoral book like you like". I had no idea what it was about, I thought it was a biography. Knowing it pissed the catholics off enough that even my devout dad had heard of it, I couldn't resist.

I strongly recommend diving right in and getting the illustrated version. Much more enjoyable.

[baseballgirl]

Aw, yay. Coming here to defend it, but I see some other people are finally fessing up, too.

I don't really remember too much of the details: it's been almost two years since I read it. Maybe that's why I enjoyed it -- I read it before it became an overhyped "phenomenon." I had seen it mentioned in a lot of articles; a novel worked around Leonardo, the Holy Grail, Jesus, and Christian mythology. Sounds interesting, I thought.

Is it Shakespeare? Definitely not. I don't really remember the quality of the prose, but I don't read books like this for their literary value. But I found it to be a good thriller. The cliffhangers and short chapters kept the flow going and make you want to keep reading; I am a s-l-o-w reader, but I finished this one in two days. I think it's an effective thriller, and it deals tangentially with topics I find interesting. It got me curious enough about some of these particular things, to get me to read real!facts! about, like I had always wanted to but let Real Life get in the way.

I had never heard about the theory re: Jesus and Mary Magdalene (God, where have I been?), and thought, "Wow, that's ... interesting." I took it neither as blasphemy nor as truth, just an interesting little "What If?" I think it's kind of like Historical Science Fiction. Similar to Robert Harris' Fatherland, where the Nazis won the war. Gathers up a bunch of historical/legendary items, and weaves a totally fictional tale about it.

It is interesting to hear from people who dislike the book on its value alone, rather than the people who trash it for its perceived anti-Catholicism or blasphemy (usually people who have not read it themselves, naturally). In some circles, it's almost Salman Rushdie again -- if Christianity had fatwas, do you think Dan Brown would be in hiding now? The ironic thing about the whole Satanic Verses thing (and some would say DVC, too), is that it just wasn't a very good book.

Having said all that, I much prefered Angels & Demons. I love Rome, so the whole time I was reading, I say "I've been there! I've been there!" But Deception Point blows, and I didn't even bother with Digital Fortress, I think it's called.

[CyberCathy]

and I didn't even bother with Digital Fortress, I think it's called.

It is. I'm trying to remember what it's about. Oh, right. A beautiful (or so we're reminded ad naseum) code-breaker working for the highest of the high top-secret government entities (and doncha know, she's the best there is?) is working on breaking a new unbreakable code or Bad. Things. Will. Happen! And there's some travels in Spain and a dashing male character. And some red herrings. And a bad guy I named in the first 50 pages.

Truth be told, I've read all of his books. Sometimes I like to read books that don't require any thought so I can read them on the toilet, or in the bathtub, or late at night while I'm trying to fall asleep. Dan Brown's books fit that bill perfectly.

But, overall, pretty blah.

[emersende]

I think it's the hype that did the book in for me. It's crap, poorly written and based on a silly idea that's full of holes and historical inaccuracy. But if it wasn't so popular, then I (in my school days) would never have seen so many Medieval Studies majors froth at the mouth and go into convulsions at the mention of its name. It's not that it's garbage, nobody has a problem with garbage; it's that people take it seriously and think it's some kind of brilliant truth.

It doesn't help that Dan Brown comes across as a schmuck.