Why, Dan Brown, why?

3 May 05.

This is Not Fiction.

Dan Brown has become some sort of infectious virus. The main casualties seem to be commuters. I’d guess, with no exaggeration, that 40% of people I see reading on the train are reading Dan Brown, and most of those seem to be reading Angels and Demons.

I’ve never read any of the guy, but it still slightly depresses me to see so little variety. There’s a lot of books out there people. Gah. It kind of reminds me of when a band becomes famous, and all their previous albums are suddenly lined up in front of you at HMV, whether they’re complete shit or not. I’m trying not to name any names here.

In other news, I recently finished Saturday, by Ian McEwan. The novel describes a day in the life of a wealthy neurosurgeon’s Saturday in London in 2001. It’s almost claustrophobic in its level of detail, reminding you of how much is actually fit into each day, everyday. A relentless number of thoughts and small events one after the other from the moment you wake up every morning. Makes me exhausted just thinking about it. It’s how I imagine Ulysses probably feels, if I ever had the slightest inclination to sit down and read the thing. Anyway, read Saturday; Ian McEwan is just getting better and better.

Comments

  1. Yeah, that guy can write. I read Atonement a year or so ago and it really blew me away. Ima go pick up Saturday right now…

    — Feaverish  May 4, 12:48 AM  #

  2. Dan Brown has taken over the world. I still haven’t read any of his books; don’t plan to either. Ian McEwan is a new name to me and he sounds interesting. Just finished a book on Kraftwerk by Pascal Bussy which is really interesting if you are into their music; they themselves think its rubbish though, but the book wouldn’t have the same impact if they liked it. I’m also dreaming my way through Jack Kerouacs’ novels. Before I began the Kraftwerk book I was half way through Desolation Angels, but I needed a break from Jack and turned to the Kraftwerk bio. I don’t know if you have read any Kerouac, but if you like attention to detail (although somewhat excessive, at times unimportant, and even crazy) you will love his books. If Tom Waits was to write a novel next week, I think it would be similar to Kerouac’s style. Reading some of his travelling, poetic rants will send your mind into turmoil (in a nice way). Great escapism.

    — Eamon  May 4, 11:50 AM  #

  3. In related news, Kraftwerk are playing at that Electric Picnic thing in September, it’s been expanded to a two day event with camping….

    — Pierce  May 4, 07:45 PM  #