Its a good story, albeit totally ripped off from others, but the whole plot is ludicrous and it is dreadfully written. So why have nearly 5,000,000 people in the UK bought it?
2006-12-31 14:40:45 · 25 answers · asked by Bob Danvers-Walker 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
It's a great page-turner which is euphoric. But it's like candy; there's no deep meaning with it. Which is completely suitable for most people who just want a story that might not be deep in meaning.
So, people are confusing suspense with no meaning with great storytelling. I don't know whether that's a bad thing but I do know that if the author had a story rich in meaning and also wrote it as suspensfully as he did this book, it would have been a dynamite story remembered through the ages. As far as this one goes, I suspect it won't be remembered for long -- the movie may have sealed its fate as well.
But there's one thing you mentioned, "dreadfully written". Writing style frankly doesn't matter in storytelling. As long as it wasn't written by a mule, the author can get away with almost anything as long as the reader remains engaged. If it pulls them out of the story then it fails and The Da Vinci Code did not do that.
2006-12-31 15:04:00 · answer #1 · answered by i8pikachu 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think the plot is ludicrous. There is all sorts of intrigue and politicking between sects, in the Vatican. None of the groups named in the book was not real.
I suspect the appeal is the very fact of the cloak-and-dagger goings-on in Vatican City, which is the seat of the faith with the most followers, worldwide (still), and about which city there is a cloud of mystery. Murder by an extremist sect of Roman Catholics, is just enough off the beaten path, to catch people's attention.
Murders by extremists of other religions are either too routine, or too obscure, to appeal to an English-speaking audience.
Yes, it's sordid. Sordid sells. Look at the conspiracy-theories (which I happen to believe) around the death of Lady Diana? It's established fact that Pope John-Paul I was murdered within two months of assuming the Papacy, back in 1979. It isn't widely known. People love a good mystery which is also an exposé of true, bizarre cults, and tarnish on halos.
The story held one's attention. People read to be entertained. I disagree that it was 'dreadfully written'. Umberto Eco it wasn't. Umberto Eco doesn't write best-selling mass-market paperbacks. The characterisations were a bit thin, but that wasn't the entertainment factor.
I encourage you to do as well! I certainly intend to do so.
2007-01-01 05:06:41 · answer #2 · answered by protectrikz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would anyone want to go against the law if it wasnt that euphoric?Its the same whhen you ask why DVC is so addictive. Its a human instinct to unravel what is scandalously unknown by many, what may seemed to be blasphemy. BUt this is not a sign of shaky allegiance to the church-if in a case you are a Christian esp a Catholic. Its the hunger for truth that anyone is not even sure where the fictionated facts may lead him that keeps the reader more like taking every lines from the book as cocaine or any sorts of drugs.Who knows if the Da Vinci Code has the facts in it. Who would not want to know that infact Jesus has his offsprings with Mary Magdalene? Suspicions may come into our minds and we might be stucked up asking ourselves:can it be true? Well, thats the beauty of human creation, we are given the "free will" to believe what we want to believe in to. But the danger lies if we becomes insanely reactive that we tend to lose our beliefs just because we have "found" the truth in Dan Brown's book. Let me tell you this, before you get carried away, give the benefit of the doubt. I you are able to read the whole chapters of Da Vinci Code, why cant you not finish reading the Bible to search for the counterarguments....sorry for the long answer..hehehe
2006-12-31 22:58:53 · answer #3 · answered by Jonathan Z 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The Da Vinci Code is thought provoking, it makes you question all you have ever believed in, for more reading, try the Bloodline of the Holy Grail ,by Laurence Gardener. Then Make your Own Mind Up.
2007-01-01 06:02:15 · answer #4 · answered by sue.royle 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has a compelling story that is written in such a simple style that almost anyone can follow it. It's also written in a way so as to make the reader feel really smart for figuring things out.
I thought the story was interesting but in general I was not overly impressed with either the book or the movie.
2006-12-31 23:58:19 · answer #5 · answered by gypzndog 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Two main reasons, I think...
1. It's a very good story...lots of clever plot twists, and very suspenseful.
2. A lot of people really despise Christians. And since a big part of the books premise is counter to what Christians believe, it's a chance for readers to sort of "thumb their noses" at them. Even though it's a work of fiction...if the books premise were TRUE, then everything that Christians believe is basically shot to hell. And that's just too wonderful an opportunity for all the little anti-Christian giggle-sissies to pass up.
2006-12-31 22:47:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is a conspiracy theory about on of the biggest rip off in history, the Bible, which has been so edited its open for good ol Hollywood. Look at the Omen.
2006-12-31 22:49:47 · answer #7 · answered by DAVID C 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because anything that has to do with religion is and will be interesting, controversial, magical, scarry, or however you want to call it. Relion is a powerful term; it has caused the biggest wars of all times!!!
2007-01-01 01:20:17 · answer #8 · answered by RL2010 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that's a greater mystery than the book itself. It is badly written - the dialogue in particular is terrible. I guess it's because people like a conspiracy theory regardless of how daft it is.
2007-01-01 04:20:27 · answer #9 · answered by Athene1710 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The thought of Jesus's blood line is interesting
2006-12-31 22:51:38 · answer #10 · answered by rollergirlintn 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋