U can't start asking "WHY" in a fiction story. This reviewer finds fault with every darn thing starting from the verb "staggered" (he'd probably have preferred "slouched") to the artist whose painting the curator is depicted to have grabbed. Surely, a novel is an expression of the author's viewpoints. Has the author even bothered to take a look at the painting mentioned in the paragraph : Merisi da Caravaggio's? It is really one fine piece of art. Would the reviewer have liked each and every reference to paintings in the book to be one of Da Vince's or Van Goghs? How then, pray, will art-ignorant people like myself learn to appreciate good art. The reviewer should (literally) have his word-processor washed out with soap.
what is the need to find the code of the cryptex when any modern marble cutting machine can cut through it neatly and without fuss ? the glass vial will also be safe if the cutting is done by a skilled operator who are found plenty in any construction firm.
While I agree with most of the sentiments expressed in this article, I must hasten to add that I feel rediff writers are becoming increasingly cynical and venemous when it comes to reviewing writing, cinema or anything else. While serious literary criticism is always a necessary aspect, it is best to remember that most people or consumers of what can be defined as popular culture simply want something that will suit their fast paced lives. I sincerely ask the rediff reviewers to write for the masses, since, let's face facts, it's the masses who decide the popularity.
Lindsay, thanks for this article.. makes us serious readers feel better really. We totally agree with your views. It's kinda ironic, though, that this article should get nasty comments from who else but Dan Brown fans. I will resist the urge to use derogatory qualifiers, but please people - u need to read just one good book to know the difference.
.. seriously i pity rediff for having published an article from a person who seems to have no knowledge on anything except in criticism!! one of the readers of this article should shoot u with a gun and then i wud say for sure u wud be staggering and lunging for ur belongings!!!!!
RE:I pity rediff.com
by Kaushik Das on Apr 01, 2005 10:46 AM Permalink
Hey, and I pity those who lack a sense of humour (and logic, if I may add), and terribly so, if I may add further.
Sorry to say but some people just think it's cool to criticize every single thing the rest of the people think is good - and the author of this column belongs to this criteria.
Don't you realize you're much more pathetic than the celebrities you mentioned? They at least know how to acknowledge a good thing.
Having read both the books, that is, Da Vinci Code & Angels and Demons, I have the following comments to offer: Dan Brown has done extensive research before writing both these books. His description of the Churches of Rome is simply superb. So much so, now I would like to visit Rome keeping his book with me and going through the churches and the various museums.
However, Da Vinci Code starts with a bang & ends in a whimper! He builds up to a crescendo but the end is rapid & becomes predictable. I am unable to understand as to how the secret code number is forgotten by Langdon in the Swiss Bank when even a child could say that it was the same as the one he saw around the body of Jacques Saunière & he professes himself to be an authority on the subject! Next, how could the house of the Lord where Langdon and his accomplice were taking refuge be entered by someone through the bushes? Even assuming that he was guided to enter, it is difficult to imagine the scene in a situation like that. Third, how could the three be dropped at the airport before the aircraft reaches the hangar?
At best both the books could qualify as thrillers befitting a Hindi Movie, especially this book.
I have read "The Da Vinci Code" mainly because I wanted to know what makes the book so hugely popular and also sustain the popularity over a period of time.
The book is interesting,fast paced and revolves around a murder mystery but, does not try to solve it as a typical detective story.It tries to bring in some interesting facts about the great painter Da Vinci and his contemporaries. You can approach the book as an art critic,to know more about Christian theolgy or simply as a murder mystery.No doubt,the book rubs certain people the wrong way when it makes certain comments on religious practices and the church. But, to be fair,it is a good book,a very good plot and very lucidly written. Dan Brown has made extensive research and incorporated certain facts into the book to make it more credible.It is upto us,the readers, to accept it or reject it. There are certain sections in the book which as a curious reader you would like to do away with,for example,the sudden turnaround of Leigh Teabing and the subsequent events.But, the book is well written and keeps you hooked to it till the end.
