Reading books like Digital Fortress by Dan Brown make me appreciate even more the authors like Card. This book was so disappointing. While I thought The Da Vinci Code was overhyped I did like Angels and Demons so I gave this book a shot. Having a technical background I was interested to see what Brown's depth of detail would be on a subject he doesn't seem readily familiar. Unfortunately Brown's attempt is a let down.
As always the book is about moving through the action as fast as possible without any character development. The attention to detail is poor and the story is easily guessed. The cryptology theory was something that could be easily read out of the Idiots Guide to Cryptography. Now I may have been jaded after reading Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson but that does not excuse the poor work produced by Brown.
With that said, I can only thank OSC for his excellent writing. Not only are his characters well developed, his research is always solid, and the ideas he extrapolates from those ideas are always very intriguing.
[ April 15, 2005, 11:14 AM: Message edited by: Syrjay ]
Posted by Swede (Member # 7560) on :
OSC Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Uncle Orson spoils us all. Because we've read his works we come to expect things from writers that are unreasonable - like, oh...I don't know...good writing?
Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :
I credit my teen years literary spoilage to Mr. Card, and recently my adult spoilage to Mr. George R. R. Martin.
Because of him, every page of a book must be imortant in some way, and if a character escapes a death defying situation more than twice without dying I get disgusted. Its so much more fun when your favorite character really IS in danger. [Edit out vague spoiler]
Edit: Yeah, Digital Fortress was crap. I liked Da Vinvi Code for being the fluff it was, but Digital Fortress wasn't even good fluff.
[ April 15, 2005, 11:50 AM: Message edited by: Xavier ]
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Digital Fortress is the only Dan Brown book I've read, and barring my being locked in featureless cell for months on end with only a copy of his collected works for company it's the only Dan Brown book I'll ever read. I can't think of a way in which the book didn't suck, frankly.
There are plenty of great authors out there (and on my shelves and storage boxes) waiting for me. No need to waste my time on tripe like this.
[ April 15, 2005, 10:10 AM: Message edited by: Noemon ]
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
[Edited at Belle's suggestion]
[Further Edited because I'd really hate to spoil that book for anyone.]
[ April 15, 2005, 10:36 AM: Message edited by: Noemon ]
Posted by His Savageness (Member # 7428) on :
[Edited as to not ruin the books for those who haven't had the pleasure of reading them]
[ April 15, 2005, 10:42 AM: Message edited by: His Savageness ]
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I'll join the edit crew.
[ April 15, 2005, 11:30 AM: Message edited by: Belle ]
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
You know what - Noemon, you should probably edit your post and say spoilers of ASOIAF follow.
Some people who haven't read ASOS might be a little shocked.
Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :
Yikes!
Guys, I was being intentionally vague. If my post causes people to be spoiled on ASOIAF I will never forgive myself.
But yes, those two.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
I've edited my post, but I'm seriously considering deleting it--you guys are right; I'd feel horrible if I ruined that book for someone. Not sure what I was thinking.
Yeah, I think I'll delete it. Those of you who made reference to the other character that Xavier was referring to might want to do the same, or at least mark your messages with spoiler warnings.
Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :
Syrjay, I know it may be too much to ask, but could you put a "ASOIAF Spoilers" or something similar to this in the thread title?
I never expected my comment to spawn so much spoilerage .
Posted by Syrjay (Member # 7706) on :
Done.
I really enjoy George R.R. Martin's work as well. I hate the fact the books take years to be released but his work is so detailed and intricate. As far as what happens to his characters that only adds in the reality and soaks you into the work. Love it.
My four favorite science fiction/fantasy writers are ole Uncle Orson, Tad Williams, Neal Stephenson, and George RR Martin.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Mine would probably be Maureen McHugh, George R. R. Martin, Octavia Butler, and Card. Others that just *almost* make that list are LeGuin, Pat Murphy, Howard Waldrop, and William Sanders.
Edit--Oh, and Tad Williams.
[ April 15, 2005, 11:27 AM: Message edited by: Noemon ]
Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :
Okay, almost good. Now perhaps you wanna change your comment about the character you mention by name Belle? (who was an even bigger surprise to me than the first one)
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Done. Posted by His Savageness (Member # 7428) on :
Has anyone read the new Tad Williams book Shadowmarch? I'm reading it right now and it's pretty good, although me thinks I detect some ASOIAF influences in it.
Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :
Yay! Thanks all, now get your butts over to my spoiler thread! (which happens to be BY FAR my largest thread in the 5+ years I've been here)
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
I've looked at Shadowmarch a couple of times, but somehow it doesn't look interesting--just seems like your typical, generic fantasy. Williams is a good author, and I wouldn't be surprised if there were more to it than that, but there are so many other things that I'm wanting to read that I doubt I'll get to it during this decade.
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
quote: Digital Fortress is the only Dan Brown book I've read, and barring my being locked in featureless cell for months on end with only a copy of his collected works for company it's the only Dan Brown book I'll ever read. I can't think of a way in which the book didn't suck, frankly.
Change Digital Fortress to Angels and Demons for me.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Your spoiler thread is definitely a great one by the way Xavier. It's right up there with a coupld of the Firefly threads in terms of the enjoyment I've gotten out of it.
Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :
Thanks . I'd like to take complete credit for it, but if I remember right, it was Frisco's idea. He was just too lazy I think...
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