Dan Browns 'Da Vinci Code'... or is it?
***Rant warning***
Not only is Dan Brown a terrible writer, whose books all share the same plot, but now his most famous 'novel' is being challenged in the High Court! Richard Leigh and Michael Baigent are accusing Brown of plagiarising their 1980's book 'The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail'. They claim that 'huge chunks' of 'The Da Vinci Code' have been lifted from theirs and that the whole 'architecture' of Browns book is dependant on 'The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail'... Ok, so if you like I have read both books (in fact I have read all of Brown's books) then Browns massive debt to Leigh and Baignet is a no-brainer... indeed he name checks their book in his... but is it plagiarism? They seem to say that because the plot would have no coherence at all (if it has any anyway!) without their writing all Brown has done is to take their work and add a few (pretty thin) characters! Personally, I think he should be charged with crimes again literature never mind plagiarism! And before you call me a snob, I love 'pulp'/adventure fiction e.g. Bernard Cornwell even early early (before he became a mouthpiece for right wing 'Republican' politics) Tom Clancy!
(By the way I haven't linked to 'The Da Vinci Code'... deliberately!)
***Rant over***
Haven't read this one but started Angels and Demons a year ago and never finished it. Not that impressed. So, why do you think the DaVinci Code is so popular? I'm curious what you think. Adele
Posted by: Existential Punk | 26/02/2006 at 13:45
that I'm afraid is easy... controversy breeds publicity... that kind of publicity brings sales! Maybe people in this world of lowest common denominator 'entertainment' (Reality TV... Celebrity circus... etc. etc.) are willing to accept whatever crumbs of excitment and adventure that is thrown at them... just look at how many 'Da Vinci Code' clones are in the bestellers lists... come back Barbara Cartland all is forgiven!
Posted by: Mark Berry | 26/02/2006 at 14:11
Love the rant! We are also pretty against the Da Vinci Code phenomenon, but mostly because it is essentially a trashy airport novel. We also have a rant on out site
http://celebrityreligion.typepad.com
-disclaimer-
dispite the somewhat irreverent approach of our website, we actually take religion seriously (i actually have a Masters Degree in Religious Studies), we just think that celebrities don't, and we want to make fun of their shallow and superficial lives. We don't want to offend (too many) people.
Posted by: Charlaurz McHall | 27/02/2006 at 00:10