I had just gotten back from Rome when I picked up a copy of Angels and Demons. What I really liked about the book was that I could visualized all the places that were mentioned in the book. It was like I was there again, enjoying all the sights.

The Da Vinci Code was OK. Can't believe that so many people think there is some truth in it.

I parted company with religion as a teenager and I think the New Testament itself is largely a work of fiction, so I couldn't care less about the theories advanced in Brown's book. But if nothing else the New Testament (at least the King James version) is well-written fiction. My problem with Brown is simple - he's very close to being the worst writer in the universe. And believe me, I'm no literary snob.

I am so glad I'm not alone. I can only assume that a lot of people must have bought the book to see if it could really be as bad as so many people say it is. And it is...

As my wife manages a major book and music store, we are deluged with free copies of first few printings, a couple of the regular hardbound, the illustrated version and a paperback version (I think this one is a bootleg copy that is just being circulated amongst the bookstore employees for posterity), and I have yet to get the urge to re-start the book after the first 4 or 5 chapters.

It's tough to enjoy it. It's too predictable and the writing is really bad.

I didn't find Angels and Demons nearly as entertaining as Da Vinci Code. If I had read A&S first, I probably wouldn't have read TDVC.

No, an illustratede version is not necessary. When you want to see what something looks like that is mentioned in the book, it is easy to pull it up online.

Keith

Look, it's not great lit and it's not meant to be. The dialogue is laughable and the improbabilities pile up like chicken bones from the very first chapter. The bad guy is a freakin' albino, fer cryin' out loud.

But...

Sometimes you want a Dr Pepper instead of a <i>grand cru</i> Bordeaux. And in that context, it's not so bad. All plot-driven, and that keeps you licking your finger.

I'm waiting for the comic book edition.

I read A/D for escape around the pool and thought it was a b-level potboiler. IMO there are many mystery writers who are much better writers (and plotters). It’s beyond me why the writer has such a following.

However, like Fairoaks Jim, I did enjoy the Roman locale and want to read Da Vinci for the Paris sites. Being stubborn as a mule, I refused to buy the damn thing in hardback, so when I was in Mexico, I got the paperback (it’s been out in pb in the rest of the world for a year at least). So it’s my travel companion on my next flight.

I read it and used the computer to find the various paintings, etc., discussed. Or, you could also go to the author's website.

I read them both, Angels and Demons first intentionally because I knew he wrote it first. Not really impressed with either. I love mysteries (about 75% of my reading) but these were both off the wall IMO. Of course, I don't understand why reality shows are popular either (except TAR, of course LOL). Who knows what motivates Americans' likes and dislikes. I'm afraid I'm totally out of step with lots of what's currently popular in many areas in this country.

I completely agree with Marilyn: &quot;I actually enjoyed the story, but hated the juvenile tricks for maintaining suspense (usually found at the end of a chapter), the cardboard characters, and the mediocre writing.&quot;

Da Vinci Code kept my attention - whether it's all true or not, I did enjoy the historical context of it all. I had a harder time with Angels and Demons, because of the ridiculous ending and the poor writing. I actually started to count the sentences that began with &quot;It was then that Robert realized...&quot;

It was then that I decided not to read anything else by Dan Brown.

Meredith, :-D

&quot;It was then that Robert realized...&quot;

You are supposed to take a shot every time you read that.

Keith

Or even two.

Hilarious. I love the &quot;..take a shot..&quot; game. For those of you who thought perhaps the criticism came from not agreeing with the principles - or perhaps the conjectures about the church, Jesus, etc.: I can assure you that the only argument I had with the book was the stinky writing.

For an interesting article, check this URL:

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...NGKIC697H1.DTL

I just finished reading the DaVinci Code.

The mistake the Catholic Church made was responding with any seriousness to the DVC plot. Rather than trying to refute the accuracy of the book, or lack thereof, they should have simply stated something like:

&quot;How serious do you think we take this book when the writer defied logic by having the main character run from the police in order to prove his innocence? Honestly, who does that?

And, don't even get the Holy See started on having someone as conspicous as hulking, Albino Monk involved as though people wouldn't remember seeing a hukling Albino monk with the victims just before they were murdered. We know monks, and I can tell you we can count the large Albino one's one hand.&quot;

1. It's lousy writing.
2. The premise is contrived.
3. Faulty history is used throughout.
4. The characters act illogically.
5. It's a runaway best seller.

What can we conclude from this?

Darwin was wrong.

I'm with Wanderlust. It's pure escapism along the lines of the Bourne Idenity. I enjoyed them both for what they were. For a really cheesy far fetched Dan Brown, try Deception point. Ridiculous.

For those who consider Brown close to the worst writer in history, I suggest you get right down to the library for the inane ramblings of VC Andrews. I read exactly one chapter of her book Flowers in the Attic before deciding masochism wasn't my style.

Better yet, go to Amazon and read the first two pages.

I forced myself to finish one, and can't force myself to read another.

Not only could I not escape, I actually was wondering what the deal could be on public interest for this junk.

It's not just the poor writing.

I think Robiespierre has it exactly right; and double that on criteria #4.

Only upside: maybe I can make it as an author. I have no talent, as well.

Boy, this is a tough room. Sort of sounds like a bunch of snobs putting down whatever is popular. If you enjoyed the book read his next one, if not, don't. I have never heard that Brown set out to write great literature. He sure turned out to be a popular writer though.

I'm guessing a lot of this piling on is just that, piling on to make ourselves sound oh so much more cultured. I personally enjoyed and recommended all four of his books. I guess that puts me down there with the unwashed for some reason.

AisleSeat, I like a lot of popular culture and I'm happy to admit it. I hardly think Dan Brown is the worst writer in the world, but I don't think he's very good. I don't see why that makes me a snob, although I'd rather be called a snob than not be able to discriminate between poor writing, mediocre writing, and great writing.

I enjoyed the plot. Heck, I read the whole book. But if you compare Brown not to the greats, but to other best-selling authors, I don't see how you can think he's equal even to Grisham or Follett, let alone a brilliant writer like John Le Carre. (Notice I'm sticking to the spy/thriller/mystery genre.)

Aisle seat, I would suggest that if people were snobs, they wouldn't have read his book in the first place.

A true literary snob wouldn't go near something so clearly written for the masses.

So, now that we've established our non-snobiness, that leaves us with being defined as people who just don't find lame plot holes and poor writing all that appealing.

From my perspective, I applaud Brown's ability to craft an interesting premise. The basic story has promise and is interesting as a concept. Probably why so many of &quot;us snobs&quot; started reading it. I believe the issue is his failure to deliver a book that is more than just an interesting premise.

Quite the contrary, I don't feel like a snob at all. I like Harry Potter and children's literature, regardless of how silly. There's a place for silliness. I am an eclectic reader and also read Sci.Fic. and lots of non-literature and non-fiction choices.

There are some popular best sellers that I don't care for, but this is not to be confused with the general level of that category. This is much, much worse. It didn't even make sense. I couldn't follow it. It's sensationalism done poorly.

It's also quite similar to the V.C. Andrews level or N. Inquirer &quot;news&quot;. There is no historical perspective in this either. Culturally or historically it doesn't equate. It belongs in the fantasy section, not in mysteries.

&quot;&quot;&quot;&quot;Not impressed with the book, either. Predictable, with flat characters and shallow writing style. I don't think I'll look forward to the author's other books.&quot;&quot;&quot;

-Awww, nothing like seeing a bunch of religious people find another excuse to not read something that might make them think! Even if the writing was crappy--it made a lot of people think, and wow, look how many people read it, based on this post!

&gt;Sort of sounds like a bunch of snobs putting down whatever is popular.&lt;

Sounds like &quot;reverse snobbism&quot;. I am a populist. Therefore I defend anything popular, not matter how bad.

&gt;...nothing like seeing a bunch of religious people find another excuse to not read something that might make them think!&lt;

Oh, Lord have mercy!!

No, that would classify me a &quot;religious&quot;.

Oh, whatever might or might not ....

No. Now I'm an agnostic.

Oh, whatever strings might have caused the creation of the multiple, parallel, possible universes, what twaddle.

Going back to the OP:

&gt;I jsut finished reading Angels and Demons, what a great book! I am on to The Da Vinci Code next.&lt;

I find it hard to believe that anyone who read A&amp;D would want to read another offering by the same author.

((I))

I really am curious Colorado17, what did it make you think about? Think, in the deep, sense. Do you know anything about Jewish religious beliefs or mores over the course of recorded history?

I am not being sarcastic, really curious.

My idea of a book that really gives you something to think about- &quot;Lovely Bones&quot;.

&quot;nothing like seeing a bunch of religious people find another excuse to not read something that might make them think&quot;
colorado, I simply do not understand that statement. I am not religious, I like books that make me think, but I don't see what that has to do with Dan Brown being a poor writer. Can you clarify?

My idea of a book that really makes you think: Atonement by Ian McEwan. But I could certainly come up with a lot of other examples!

(And I loved The Lovely Bones, JJ5.)

&quot;How serious do you think we take this book when the writer defied logic by having the main character run from the police in order to prove his innocence? Honestly, who does that?&quot;

In France? SOunds like a good idea.

Keith

Boy, am I in the wrong place. I had no idea that so may intellectuals call this their home. I thought that reading was intended to be a fun diversion from everyday life, not a quest for the &quot;Great American Novel&quot;.

I always love a book that's hard to put down. All for of Brown's books do that for me. Yes, the stories are contrived, but most stories are. How many of you have taken the time to reflect on the books that are considered classics. Do all of their stories ring true? I doubt it.

I always thought I was a <i>discerning reader</i>, but you are free to think I'm anything you like.

If being able to differentiate good writing from bad (and avoiding the latter) makes me a snob, then I guess that's what I am.

Felt obliged to read DVC before going to Italy. Mixed response -- overall, don't think it's worth the trouble of either liking or disliking it intensely. I appreciated the background in mythology, doctrine, etc., and the whole idea of the female side of divinity. Not encouraged that people think it's an actual historical account, rather than fiction. Bothered by the apparent compulsion to wrap up the story with someone pressing their body to someone else's, as if the book wouldn't sell without a nod in the direction of the bedroom.

Will probably not pick up Angels and Demons because 2 co-travellers said it seemed to be close to the same story, beginning with the same amazingly fortuitous encounter between a guy with arcane knowledge and a woman with equally arcane knowledge that just happens to fill in his blanks (so to speak). But then again I might read it between the other escapist books I enjoy without taking too seriously.

Robespierre,

I got a kick out of your previous note. &quot;Darwin was wrong&quot; is fantastic.


:-)

mm

Cassandra,

Angles and Demons had a lot of the same elements. The biggest difference is that it is even much more unlikely.

Keith

Haven't read the book and probably won't but I came across this article that might be of interest. It just mentions some truths and fabrications.
http://www.the-tls.co.uk/this_week/s...ory_id=2111067
Regards Walter

The DA VINCI CODE was so bad that after I read it I had to drink THREE bowls of gin. :)

I was just at the Louvre a few weeks ago and they have just MOVED the Mona Lisa. I laughed at all the DBs clutching their books. Now you'll never find it mwhahahaha.

I enjoyed DVC but I did have some concerns about the mix of fact fiction and theories and all the people who will believe everything they read (my mum for one).
And I also have to defend all the people trying to refute the book because rightly or wrongly people who have devoted their lives to their religion must feel that a book read so widely essential critising everything they believe in cannot be just ignored.

Call me a reader of poor taste but I really enjoyed both books. I think when we read for leisure in our society today we just want somethiing to be fun. If you look at other New York Times Bestsellers on the fiction or non fiction list, they don't tend to be the best written books in the world. They area normally books that can appeal to a large variey of ages and education levels. I think like going to see a movie, people just want to &quot;take a ride&quot; when they read a book. And there is nothing wrong with that, we just all have different tastes.

My wife borrowed The DaVinci Code from our son, so after she read it, I forced myself to read it so we could have something to talk about.

I thought the writing was dull and uninteresting, and the story hard to believe. But one expects that from books written with a profit motive, much as one expects shocking and stunning stupidity from most TV shows. I'm stubborn, so I finished it, but my residual feeling is that I would have missed nothing had I bailed half-way through.

Unfortunately, one of our kids saw me reading it, so for my birthday, they got me a rebuttal written by some professor of religion. That was even duller and dry. It will take years for me to recover my spirit.

I would advise against taking TDVC on a long flight; you would make a long unpleasant trip seem interminible. If you must, however, get the illustrated version, as this author lacks the ability to paint word pictures.