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Need a recommendation on a certain genre

Matt Gordon

Matt Gordon

New Member
I'm looking for a well-written book like "The Da Vinci Code." There are too many problems with "The Da Vinci Code" to make it enjoyable for me, mainly in the historical/theological/geographic areas. He brings too many unsubstantiated concepts to the table that aren't true, and presents them as "facts." I'd really like to read something like it, but better!

The idea I have is sort of a globe-spanning thriller/suspense/mystery (not necessarily a "whodunit") action-adventure book with a tight plot and good characters. Kind of like an "Indiana Jones" flair, if you will.

Spy stuff would be okay, too, as long as it doesn't get too bogged down in the typical "cold war" plotlines. I really liked "The Company" by Robert Littell, but I want something a little different than that this time.


Any takers? :)

Thank you in advance for your consideration of my question.
 
Matt,
I haven't read any of them yet, but it seems like the Lincoln Childs and Richard Preston books might be what you are looking for.
 
Have you tried any Alan Folsom books?

The Day After Tomorrow is partially what I think you are looking for, although perhaps a bit far fetched.

One word of warning, do not look for reviews of this book because, as another member of this forum found out by doing so, it gave away the ending. The last line of the book is the most important.

Mxx
 
Matt, I'm reading "The Da Vinici Code" at the moment. I'll let you know what I think when I've finished.
 
Okay, thanks. I did a search on this forum for it but couldn't find anything.


Thanks to everyone who replied with suggestions. I'm looking at one of the Preston/Childs books pretty seriously, and just started looking for "The Day After Tomorrow" as well.

Thanks again!
 
Originally posted by murphyz:
The Day After Tomorrow is partially what I think you are looking for, although perhaps a bit far fetched.

One word of warning, do not look for reviews of this book because, as another member of this forum found out by doing so, it gave away the ending. The last line of the book is the most important.
Click to expand...
You know, I almost, almost forgot about that. Almost!! Not yet though! I've killed the author of that review, by the way, so if anyone comes knockin' on your door, asking strange questions, you have never heard of me. Deal?

Cheers, (an incognito) Martin :cool:
 
I'm about 50 pages shy of finishing The Eight by Neville, but it seems to have all the qualities you're looking for.

I actually stumbled across it while looking for recommendations for books similiar to the Da Vinci Code on Amazon.
 
Maybe you should try The Anubis Gates written by Tim Powers, it´s something between Indiana Jones, horror and timetravell, a realy great book. There is also Declare by the same author, it´s a spy-thriller-horror book. I also love it.
 
I thought that The Prodigal Spy by Joseph Kanon was excellent and very well written. It is more of a traditional spy book than The Da Vinci Code in that it does not deal with religion or the supernatural.
 
Originally posted by Matt Gordon
I'm looking for a well-written book like "The Da Vinci Code." There are too many problems with "The Da Vinci Code" to make it enjoyable for me, mainly in the historical/theological/geographic areas. He brings too many unsubstantiated concepts to the table that aren't true, and presents them as "facts." I'd really like to read something like it, but better!
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Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco. ;)

It's the one on Amazon that readers recommend instead of Da Vinci (as it's crap). Dan Brown (formula writer) isn't recommended by readers of Eco. :p
 
You know, Mile (may I call you Mile?), you shouldn't keep your emotions, your feelings, all bottled up inside.

You should be more .... open!

No, really! :p

Cheers, Martin :D
 
Originally posted by Martin
You know, Mile (may I call you Mile?), you shouldn't keep your emotions, your feelings, all bottled up inside.
Click to expand...

Yes, you may. Mile, or Mile-O - I like them both. :D FACT! :rolleyes:
 
I must respectfully but strongly disagree with Mile-O. Brown's book was not only entertaining , educational & thought provoking, it caused people to search for answers they didn't even know they had questions for. It made people want to pick up a book and read again for the first time in years and created a common denominator between the masses. There are only a hand full of books that I can think of that have caused such a sensation......... Not bad for "crap" from an "opportunistic fraudster".

Bill
 
Originally posted by RaVeN
Brown's book was not only entertaining , educational & thought provoking
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You missed out plagiarised and passed off as 'all my own work'.

For plagiarised: Holy Blood, Holy Grail and The Woman With the Alabaster Jar, and The Templar Variations.

I think he makes the mistake of assuming that the reader is less than him through condescension which any serious author shouldn't be doing. Plus, I don't understand formula novels. :confused:

How hungry they must all have been after such a busy day...
 
Sorry :) I have to agree with Raven in this.

I don't think that covering the same subjects is exactly plagiarism! If he had actually ripped off parts of those books, then yes, it would be a whole different kettle of mongoose!

I don't see what all this fuss is about Da Vinci Code being crap. It's just a fast paced, fun, easy read. What is wrong with that? Da Vinci Code is not pretending to be anything deep.

HEY! R E L A X :) It's FICTION. That means it's not true! It doesn't matter if all the stuff he is claming is real. Its FICTION! that means it's made up :) Dan Brown is not claming any of it is real, so why all this fuss?????

And I have to agree with Raven. The book, like Harry Potter, got all kinds of demographics into reading. That can only be a good thing :)

Sorry, I'll breath now lol

Regards
Sillywabbit
 
Originally posted by SillyWabbit
I don't think that covering the same subjects is exactly plagiarism! If he had actually ripped off parts of those books, then yes, it would be a whole different kettle of mongoose!
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Have you read the books I listed? I think when you take someone else's material - even if fiction is based around it - then you should credit them.

I don't see what all this fuss is about Da Vinci Code being crap. It's just a fast paced, fun, easy read. What is wrong with that? Da Vinci Code is not pretending to be anything deep.
Click to expand...

Nothing. Maybe not, however, pretending to be deep; but masquerading as original.

It's FICTION. That means it's not true!
Click to expand...

So, he got to you on the condescension angle. :D

Dan Brown is not claming any of it is real, so why all this fuss?
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FACT

The book, like Harry Potter, got all kinds of demographics into reading. That can only be a good thing :)
Click to expand...

That's irrelevant to the discussion but I'll answer it. Of course it's a good thing that people read but I won't congratulate the authors for making it happen; they aren't any good. Here's a conspiracy for you; somewhere in the catacombs below the huge publishing houses there's a secret group known as The Board who study the market and decide what's right for mass-marketing. FACT. :rolleyes:
 
When I was busy getting an English degree I was much more worried about the "quality" of fiction I was reading. Now that I'm a bit older I've mellowed. If it's an enjoyable read, I'll enjoy it, whether or not it's going to win any Pulitzers.

And a book that makes people, especially those who aren't traditional readers, read IS important. The more people read, the greater number and variety of books that get published. And the fewer people watching reality shows.
 
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