DAN BROWN SHATTERS THE BOOKMAN
I have just finished a 5.5 hour marathon reading session of Dan Brown's THE LOST SYMBOL read at the request of Radio NZ' Afternoon programme so that I could review the book with Jim Mora and his panelists Richard Griffin and Brian Edwards.
I'll be writing more abut the book tomorrow but let me say straight off its a bloody good read.
I hated the ill-written historically & archaeologically incorrect mishmash of Browne's first -quite probably
ReplyDeletewith looted research- "novel."
I didnt get past page 100.
I will never be buying - or wasteing my eyesight - on fuckwittery #2.
Shame on you Beattie, for buying into this kind of crap.
It is disappointing that someone of the stature of Keri Hulme would chose to make such an unfounded attack on both Bookman Beattie and the new Dan Brown - a book she clearly has not yet had the opportunity to read. I note her comments on his earlier book The Da Vinci Code but would respectfully point out that some 81million copies of this book have been sold world-wide. Dan Brown is the alcopop of the literary world. Now it may well be that some of us prefer single malt whisky but surely the point is to take these 81 million readers by the hand and lead them to more satisfying fare - perhaps PD James to start with and then gently on to writers like Julian Barnes and Ian McEwen [and countless others of their ilk] I am reminded of the vitriol heaped on Enid Blyton in earlier years by well-intentioned literary guardians – yet Blyton introduced countless children to the habit of reading who then moved on to other writers. If Dan Brown is similarly bringing new readers to the table, good on him and long may he flourish.
ReplyDeleteDear Bookman and Ms Hulme,
ReplyDeleteI have not met either of you but I did feel compelled to post a little comment after reading your exchange. First, a qualification. I have only read one Dan Brown novel. It was the Da Vinci Code. Not a bad read at all. But I am no expert and my literary interests are of a culinary nature. I am sure The Lost Symbol will sell very well. Now to the point... Keri, lighten up. Mr Brown would be the first to point out that this is indeed a work of fiction. In that context, does it really matter about historical correctness? It would be fair to say that some historical works have proven to be rather poorly researched. I will thank you for expanding my vocabulary. "Fuckwittery" has a lot going for it. I plan to use it often. Thanks!
Thanks for your comment. There have been several anonymous comments in response to Keri's initial comment which I have elected not to publish. Keri is renowned for calling a spade a spade but she always signs her name to her comments so they get published. Others hide behind the anon name and if they are especially negative, nasty or vindictive then I elect not to publish them.
ReplyDeleteThis latest anon letter however makes some good points and is delivered with humour and without rancour therefore I elected to publish it.
I was so proud of John Reece Cole, secretary of PEN and later librarian of the Alexander Turnbull, when he defied a snidely disapproving literary audience to say "Let them read Enid Blyton or anything else they are enjoying, and keep them reading until they move on."
ReplyDeleteChris Cole Catley.
I have already been offered an ebook pirated copy of the Dan Brown .Naturally I declined. and yes I will buy the book.
ReplyDelete