h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I don't think it was a question of 'borrowing' from some theories previously written. It seems to be the accusation that Dan Brown totally lifted the entire 'jigsaw' theory of these two historians and then stuck it into a 'pot-boiler best selling novel'.

I mean, I love the Lindsey Davis 'Falco series'. She is an historian who has written a wonderful series about her hero - Falco - who lives in Ancient Rome and works kind of like a private detective there. Clearly she has used her knowledge as an historian to make the plots seem as realistic as possible (and they are wonderfully represented). But, as far as I know, she has never stolen a complete idea written by somebody else and claimed it was her own. Well, she doesn't need to - she is a wonderful writer. Unlike you-know-who.


az

I don't know Kerr. As I said, I wasn't really paying attention at the time

I was reading this entry this morning, which seems to settle the plagiarism issue once and for all. It says that plagiarism means wholesale copying from one source, while 'research' is lifting from many sources. Scroll down to 'what's in a name':
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbo

No, it's really me BH, that is, not Gosho

I have read The Da Vinci Code as it happens. It was interesting enough I guess but hardly one of the best books I've every read. And did someone mention The Name of The Rose? I thoroughly enjoyed the film but found the book as impenetrable as some of the threads involving Jim Lynn and people like Frankie Roberto or Peet the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman

Hell, if it gets more people into books then I guess it done a good job.

I haven't read The Name of the Rose. One for the list (which is currently a very, very long list).

Felonious started a book of the month club but it pretty much died the death.

I think my choice of Riddley Walker was the final nail in its coffin.

Never really got the hang of bookclubs, I read too fast to get 'in-sync' with everyone else.

I dare you to read *that* book fast.

*Early morning tea-related ignorance*

Umm, I don't actually know anything about it .

It's by Russell Hoban, so that should set you running for the hills!

Having just googled for it, I've got a feeling I've read it, or at least started to! It certainly sounds familar.