Despite the fact that Dan Brown consistently writes worldwide bestsellers, he's never quite been the darling of critics. While his books have received plenty of positive reactions, some of the criticisms leveled against his works can be particularly harsh. Some of the most colorfully scathing reactions include:
(Referring to Brown's works) "Complete loose stool water and arse gravy of the worst kind."- Stephen Fry
"The intellectual equivalent of Kraft Macaroni and cheese."- Stephen King
(Commenting on Dan Brown'swriting style) "Not just bad; it is staggeringly, clumsily, thoughtlessly, almost ingeniously bad." - Linguist Geoffrey Pallum.
While we can expect critics to be critics, and that nothing in popular culture will escape the wrath of their words, I would venture to say this instance is particularly unjustified.
I first read Brown's best-known novel, “The Da Vinci Code” as a curious seventh grader. Looking back after a few re-readings, it's safe to say that a significant percentage of important material went over my head. However, the little I did gain from this first reading proved to be formative at that particular stage in my life. Nowhere else had I seen a character like Robert Langdon, a portrayal of someone truly invigorated and inspired by history, art and culture.
Langdon wasn't your stereotypical eccentric professor locked away in the ivory tower of the university. He was basically a normal guy, who just happened to pursue his passion in life. While the situations he gets himself into in Brown's novels are hardly believable, Brown created a relatable character that I could look up to from a young age.
While not quite as much of a pop-culture icon as “The Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons” happens to be my favorite of Brown's "Robert Langdon" series. A prominent theme in this novel is the conflict between religion and science. Through a thrilling exploration of the incredible works of art that can be found throughout Rome, Brown manages to deliver a powerful message that was shared by pioneers of the Italian Renaissance: When it comes to science and religion, there is no conflict in the first place.
Both are parts of the human experience, and both subjects complement each other harmoniously. As a practicing Orthodox Jew, this message was especially impactful to me at a young age. This book was my first exposure to the fact that seemingly separate areas of study are always connected in intricate, and often unexpected ways.
I would definitely agree that Dan Brown's novels are not classics by any stretch of the imagination. If sheer popularity defined the quality of creative works, “50 Shades of Grey” should promptly become required high school reading. But it's also wrong to pass something off because of the sole fact of its popularity. Works become popular for different reasons. Shakespeare's works are considered masterpieces and are enjoyed globally to this day.
Other works can be considered valuable because of the impact they have on society, regardless of their artistic merit. So while some will pass off Dan Brown's readers as pseudo-intellectuals who fall for glorified versions of history, I prefer to see his books as excellent 'gateway books' that open the floodgates for a greater level of appreciation for the creative achievements of humanity. To criticize Brown because of his shortcomings as a writer is to miss the purpose of his novels.
Yes, Brown's plot lines are formulaic. His weird obsession with italics takes some getting used to. He occasionally fudges facts. But at the price of exposing the general public to a newfound respect for the arts and humanities, I'll take it any day.
