Quite so. I agree entirely. In fact - that's my point. I would suggest, as time goes on, My Brown's works will slowly drift out of print and be found only in second hand book stalls; whereas Tolstoy will remain "regarded as among the greatest of European novelists".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Tolstoy
But then he is not everyone's cup of tea, I understand that. The reason I posted on this thread was that Mr Dan Brown was getting good press when he very clearly does not deserve it. But if you won't take my word for it, here is Stephen Fry (who does write well):
"complete loose stool-water" and "[censored] (backside) gravy of the worst kind."
And here is Stephen King (not quite so good as the previous Stephen):
Stephen King put Dan Brown's work and "Jokes for the John" on the same level, calling such literature the "intellectual equivalent of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese."
Of course everyone is entitled to their own likes and opinions, but you really should believe me when I say that Dan Brown's work is poor; even if you enjoy it. I am only a novice when it comes to carp fishing, but I know considerably more about literature.
Well, there's 3 people who dont appreciate Dan Brown.
There was a lot of hype about The Da Vinci Code and I suspect quite a few people purchased it and did not enjoy it.
However, the millions who then went on to purchase Angels and Demons, Digital Fortress and then Deception Point clearly thought otherwise.
I also suspect a large number of those millions would think pretty much the same of Stephen Fry as he does about Dan Brown.
How you can say his success is undeserved I just dont know. Dan Brown clearly knows what people want and gives it to them.
As I've said before, each to their own.
However, I would not start slating someone just because I dont enjoy their work.