-
Welcome
to BookAndReader! We LOVE books and hope you'll join us in sharing your favorites and experiences along with your love of reading with our community. Registering for our site is free and easy, just CLICK HERE!
Already a member and forgot your password? Click here.
Dan Brown: The Da Vinci Code
- Thread starter Darren
- Start date
Shade
New Member
Bountyhunter said:
Mission accomplished? If your mission is to irritate people by making insulting and misleading posts, then that is up to you but it's not what this board is for. My mission here is to discuss books.
If you review the thread, you will see that your post (#21) was insulting and misleading because you present a case that was never made (that people who dislike The Da Vinci Code on this thread have called those who like it "astonishingly dumb" and have claimed that their "intelligence is discombobulatingly superior" - which, whether intended literally or figuratively, is in my view a disgraceful piece of shit-stirring - still, mission accomplished, eh?) and that your post, along with Robert's which immediately preceded it, led to a decline in the discussion here.
Your post is also disgraceful because you go on to tell people (whose views you have misrepresented) to "shut up." To instruct people who disagree with you not to post their views any more is the very antithesis of what a discussion forum is about. That you are not ashamed of what you said, but revel in it cockily ("obviously struck a nerve ... Mission accomplished"), reflects even more badly on you.
Glorious, oh so glorious
I for one relish following the various rants pro and con for this book because it makes me giggle for the same reason i think it is funny to watch someone stand in the wrong line for a few hours only to have to move to the back of the right line and wait all over again.
I have read "IT". I didn't hate it nor do I rank it as one of my favourites or particularily well executed. These are largely the exact sentiments I had when I was last asked to offer a discerning and erudite response to eating a quarter pounder with cheese. Although instead of a long diatribe I merely replied with a non-commital grunt and moved on with my life because there were so many other things I felt would be a better use of my energies and would provide more joy and mirth to my being - Reading this thread for instance.
I for one relish following the various rants pro and con for this book because it makes me giggle for the same reason i think it is funny to watch someone stand in the wrong line for a few hours only to have to move to the back of the right line and wait all over again.
I have read "IT". I didn't hate it nor do I rank it as one of my favourites or particularily well executed. These are largely the exact sentiments I had when I was last asked to offer a discerning and erudite response to eating a quarter pounder with cheese. Although instead of a long diatribe I merely replied with a non-commital grunt and moved on with my life because there were so many other things I felt would be a better use of my energies and would provide more joy and mirth to my being - Reading this thread for instance.
MonkeyCatcher
New Member
Although this was directed at another member, I'll take the liberty of answering this from my past experience of Dan Brown (me, me, ME!!Stewart said:
).When I first read The Da Vinci Code I enjoyed it. The ideas/plots/conspiracies that were a massive part of the book were also the reason why the book interested me, and I loved reading (what was to me) entirely new revelations concerning Jesus and Christianity (at this time I believed the comment on the front about it being fact). I thought the book was a good read because it kept me interested and turning the pages, and because it had a decent plot. I know that many will have contrary thoughts, but writing style doesn't really make much of an impact on me while I read; I usually don't notice the style unless it is exceptionally good, or (as in this case) exceptionally bad. Sure I noticed the bad writing, but it didn't matter much to me because that's not really what I look for in a good book. I believe it's because I just don't have the language/grammar knowledge to pick up on the mistakes half the time or to let it be a huge indicator in my enjoyment of a particular book. Hopefully I'll mature in that aspect
The Da Vinci Code was all good in my eyes until I saw some of the comments against the book. The comments were valid and held a lot of sway. I read about all of the falsities in the book, which obviously lowered by opinion of the novel, as what I had most liked about the book was now revealed to be absolute shite. I now realise /just/ how bad his writing is, and, after reading Angels and Demons, just how formulatic (if that's even a word
) TDVC is. Did I enjoy it when I first read it? Yes - but my opinion of the book has definitely been swayed by discussions and investigation post-reading. I don't think at all that only complete morons love Dan Brown and The Da Vinci Code, but I definitely see where the anti-TDVCers are coming from - and am also sure that I will not be trying another Dan Brown in this lifetime
MonkeyCatcher
New Member
That's the onesteffee said:What a great post MC! Formulaic, you mean? But yay for made up words.
I knew you'd come through for me, Steffee
MonkeyCatcher
New Member
No it wasn't but I have read it, and that's greatsteffee said:
It's a bit cheesy and sickly-sweet, but still a nice read. They're making a movie of it actually - but I guess this is for a whole different thread entirely 
beer good
Well-Known Member
This seems to be the main point made by most Brown fans (except for the ones who take it as a treatise on religion and history and claim that he has single-handedly overthrown all of Western history). And I agree, it is hard to put down, since there's a cliffhanger every 5 pages.MonkeyCatcher said:
So maybe we could at least agree that the best part about TDVC is that no matter if you like it or dislike it, at least it's over quickly?
MonkeyCatcher
New Member
Ok then, Steffee *cough*drama queen*cough*steffee said:Aww, does it have to be. This is the thread du jour though, I want to stay on this thread dammit!
How far are you so far, and what do you think of it?
Shade - thank you - that means a lot coming from an elitist like yourself
. Maybe in about 20 years time I'll be at a level where I can parley with both you and Stewart and not get my head ripped off (entirely, at least) 
steffee
Active Member
Hehe, Beer Good.
Actually, I have an answer to the "what did you like about it?" question. I learned about phi from it. It was the single most interesting thing I learned last year (well, apart from learning about the Amygdala in the brain... but clearly I am quite strange). The x2 - x -1 = 0 is very interesting (can we do superscript on here?).
Edited for MC: Drama queen, moi? Nah... it's okay, I've found the other place it's mentioned, Ill go there.
Actually, I have an answer to the "what did you like about it?" question. I learned about phi from it. It was the single most interesting thing I learned last year (well, apart from learning about the Amygdala in the brain... but clearly I am quite strange). The x2 - x -1 = 0 is very interesting (can we do superscript on here?).
Edited for MC: Drama queen, moi? Nah... it's okay, I've found the other place it's mentioned, Ill go there.
Kenny Shovel
Active Member
...well, all I can say is thank goodness for the 'email me if I get a PM' function of the site...without it I'd of missed this thread...and it's a wonder to behold isn't it?...so many people from both sides of an argument nailing themselves to a cross with righteous indignation...how do you manage to get that last nail in?...
...apologies to everyone else but I think top marks have to go to Shade for this effort...
...fantastic, you don't normally find that kind of gruff indignation outside of a 1970's BBC sit-com...now, if we can only get Bountyhunter to post back with phases like 'it's just not cricket' and 'you Sir, are an unquestionable arse!' we'll be most of the way towards having ourselves a good old fashion English middle class duel...which is the same as normal duels but instead of a prone body in a pool of blood ends with a stern letter to 'The Daily Telegraph' and disapproving looks from the vicar...
...anyway, I seem to have wandered away from the point...
...sooooooooooooo, this is all about 'The Da Vinci Code' again is it?...I’ve never read this book, and never will (it’s not my kinda thang)…but it has brought me some wonderful moments of joy over my time reading Internet book forums…it’s sort of like alcohol for bibliophiles, magnifying the personality within…whilst the reviews I’ve read lead me to think the book has no real literary merit, the effect it has in making seemingly intelligent people run around and call each other pooh-pooh head surely deserves some kind of award…”The Benny Hill Yakety Sax” commemorative slap on the head anyone?...
…the thing I don’t get is why any mention of it needs to be jumped on…sorry anti-DVCers but much as you protest that seems to me to be what happens…I’ll turn first to someone whose opinion I rate highly…
…any other reasons…
…ah yes, we can all join in the joy of the sinner repented…but are we going about things the best way to convert the wicked?...I suspect many will see something they like given a good going over and just leave the site for good...
…I always thought that an online book forum was a place for learning…but it’s not a teacher-pupil relationship at play…we all learn from each other…
…lets be honest, who here can really claim to be well and widely read, in the Jorge Luis Borges sense?....not me, I have little interest in contemporary literature, and have only scratched the surface with the classics…Shade? I seem to remember you saying you'd like to discuss a wider range of world literature but didn’t feel you had the knowledge to do so….Stewart? you seem to read a lot but if I recall from your “Sailor who fell from grace with the Sea” review you hadn’t even heard of Yukio Mishima until a few months ago, that doesn’t strike me as someone who’s reading has been particularly adventurous…so who then? Rosemary the Telephone Operator? Uh uh…Peder the mild mannered janitor…
...could be!...actually no, Peder in the mire with the rest of us…
…I don’t think anyone here can claim to have read anything but the merest fraction of what’s out there, and as such we have to learn from each other…is this thread an example of how best to do that?...is it b@ll@cks...
* Is it possible to have honourable shit-stirring?
...apologies to everyone else but I think top marks have to go to Shade for this effort...
Shade said:
...fantastic, you don't normally find that kind of gruff indignation outside of a 1970's BBC sit-com...now, if we can only get Bountyhunter to post back with phases like 'it's just not cricket' and 'you Sir, are an unquestionable arse!' we'll be most of the way towards having ourselves a good old fashion English middle class duel...which is the same as normal duels but instead of a prone body in a pool of blood ends with a stern letter to 'The Daily Telegraph' and disapproving looks from the vicar...
...anyway, I seem to have wandered away from the point...
...sooooooooooooo, this is all about 'The Da Vinci Code' again is it?...I’ve never read this book, and never will (it’s not my kinda thang)…but it has brought me some wonderful moments of joy over my time reading Internet book forums…it’s sort of like alcohol for bibliophiles, magnifying the personality within…whilst the reviews I’ve read lead me to think the book has no real literary merit, the effect it has in making seemingly intelligent people run around and call each other pooh-pooh head surely deserves some kind of award…”The Benny Hill Yakety Sax” commemorative slap on the head anyone?...
…the thing I don’t get is why any mention of it needs to be jumped on…sorry anti-DVCers but much as you protest that seems to me to be what happens…I’ll turn first to someone whose opinion I rate highly…
…again I’m left with the question “So what?”…btw I note that this thread was started, and attention drawn, by someone who hated the book…they also appear not to be on speaking terms with the sites search facility…is there any reason why this thread hasn’t been merged with one of the earlier ones on the same subject?...are the mods trying to keep the argument contained in here?...because I think the train has left the station on that and is already stuck somewhere outside Birmingham New Street due to a points failure…Zolipara said:
…that I can understand…so what’s stopping there being a “Debunking The Da Vinci Code” thread running along side a less heated discussion?…Zolipara said:
…any other reasons…
Stewart said:
…ah yes, we can all join in the joy of the sinner repented…but are we going about things the best way to convert the wicked?...I suspect many will see something they like given a good going over and just leave the site for good...
…I always thought that an online book forum was a place for learning…but it’s not a teacher-pupil relationship at play…we all learn from each other…
…lets be honest, who here can really claim to be well and widely read, in the Jorge Luis Borges sense?....not me, I have little interest in contemporary literature, and have only scratched the surface with the classics…Shade? I seem to remember you saying you'd like to discuss a wider range of world literature but didn’t feel you had the knowledge to do so….Stewart? you seem to read a lot but if I recall from your “Sailor who fell from grace with the Sea” review you hadn’t even heard of Yukio Mishima until a few months ago, that doesn’t strike me as someone who’s reading has been particularly adventurous…so who then? Rosemary the Telephone Operator? Uh uh…Peder the mild mannered janitor…
…I don’t think anyone here can claim to have read anything but the merest fraction of what’s out there, and as such we have to learn from each other…is this thread an example of how best to do that?...is it b@ll@cks...
* Is it possible to have honourable shit-stirring?
Breaca
Member
LOL - as long we don't need to bring our shovels (or is it spades) - interesting thread me dears.
Dropped off visitors at the airport yesterday and wandered into the bookstore (as you do) and guess what I saw??? A De Vinci Code journal that had short write-ups/descriptions of the places in the novel and outlines of the research used. Didn't really look at it in any great depth but I thought the idea was great.
Dropped off visitors at the airport yesterday and wandered into the bookstore (as you do) and guess what I saw??? A De Vinci Code journal that had short write-ups/descriptions of the places in the novel and outlines of the research used. Didn't really look at it in any great depth but I thought the idea was great.
Kenny Shovel
Active Member
...people gravitate towards book forums because they want to talk about the books they love, to recommend them...and to learn about others they might like...steffee said:
...we're all intelligent enough to learn from each other without needing to be taught...there are a number of people here I have learnt from...Zolipara has introduced me to Norwegian Literature, Peder and others have ignited my interest in Nabakov...Stewart's championing of certain modern works has made me dip my toe in contemporary fiction for the first time in years...but no one here strikes me as having the depth and breadth of reading to be teacher...
...Da Vinci Code readers and fans of other mainstream literature should be able to come here and talk about the books they love...they should also be able to learn that there is better, more substantial fare to be found in their neighbourhood bookstore...but they don't need to be taught it...there is a difference...and again I would hope we are all intelligent enough to understand what that difference is...