So you know Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code author?
Dan Brown burst into the headlines this week, with news that his new book, The Last Symbol, will be released in September. But while his Da Vinci Code has sold tens of millions and been adapted for a movie, folks may not know much about his background. This quiz will test your knowledge; just leave your answers in a comment. (I'll post answers Tuesday.)
1. Before becoming a writer, Brown was a singer-songwriter and pianist. One of his albums was called: a. Leonardo's Code b. Angels & Demons c. The Last Symbol d. The Shining
2. His first book was called: a. From Stockbridge to Boston: A Singer's Journey b. 101 Ways to Survive a New Hampshire Winter c. 187 Men to Avoid: A Survival Guide for the Romantically Frustrated Woman d. Love and Death in the Louvre
3. That book was published in 1995 under the pseudonym: a. Danielle Brown b. Dan Black c. Blythe Brown d. Stephen Kingman
4. Brown first learned of the mysteries hidden in Da Vinci's paintings while: a. studying art history at the University of Seville b. studying French at Oxford c. studying European history at the Sorbonne d. studying Italian at the University of Rome
5. What technique has he used to battle writer’s block? a. Hanging upside down by using gravity boots b. Drinking raw eggs c. Jumping from his roof into the snow d. Transcendental Meditation
6. Brown believes in: a. extraterrestrial visitors b. crop circles c. the Bermuda Triangle d. all of the above e. none of the above
(Remember, tomorrow we'll have another quiz -- on Baltimore Sun editors and writers who have written books -- so drop by again.)
While she always preferred The Hardy Boys to Nancy Drew, 
Comments
I am just really curious where the information about art history comes from. I hear this from time to time.Is this a canard invented by Dan Brown's fans? I would like really to know where Dan Brown studied art history.(According to an article by Alvaro Sanchez León it was not at the university of Sevilla. He quoted someone from the university).
Who actually was teaching the history about Leonardo and his iconography? Is there the name of the lecturer?What he was teaching about? Was this at an accredited institution? Anyone knows?
PS. Leonardo's art was is not so symbolic like other painters of his time.Others are more complex.But this is another story.
Posted by: elsie | April 25, 2009 1:46 AM
1. Don't know this one.
2. C. 187 Men to Avoid
3. A. Danielle Brown
4. A. I know he studied art history
5. I don't know but I'm going to guess C. Jumping from the roof
6. E. None of the above
Posted by: Darlene | April 25, 2009 6:59 AM
I vote for Transcendental Meditation for Dan Brown. If anyone would like to read my article "How to Learn Transcendental Meditation" click on my name above. Peace!
Posted by: Dr. Keith DeBoer | April 25, 2009 7:45 AM
I have to admit that I don't know any of the answers. :(
Posted by: Kathy | April 25, 2009 9:01 AM
I don't know the answers either, but I'm a knock down, drag out fan of Dan Brown and his work. I write romance novels myself and if I may, I'd like to shamelessly promote my new book, "Beth:Love Along The Way...by B.G.Sanford," and just released by Eloquent Books. It's a beautiful romance, however tragic. A love affair of a lifetime presents itself to Beth during some of the darkest times of her life. She struggles with what to do, knowing fully what would be morally right. Because of the very substance of this book, it certainly can't be considered "lightweight" reading by any stretch of the imagination. I hope you have the opportunity to read it, as it's an entertaining story you won't soon forget.
All my best,
B.G.Sanford
http://www.eloquentbooks.com/BethLoveAlongTheWay.html
Posted by: B.G.Sanford | April 26, 2009 12:00 PM
I would also like to know where these fact come from? From Brown himself? I guess I'm just wondering if they're urban legends.
Posted by: Jean Valjean | April 26, 2009 2:46 PM
1. B. angels and demons
2. C. 187 Men to Avoid
3. A. Danielle Brown
4. studying European history at the Sorbonne
5. a. Hanging upside down by using gravity boots
6. E. None of the above
Posted by: shazza | April 27, 2009 3:12 PM
1 d. The Shining
2 187 Men to Avoid: A Survival Guide for the Romantically Frustrated Woman
3 Blythe Brown
4 studying art history at the University of Seville
5 a. Hanging upside down by using gravity boots
6 E. None of the above
Posted by: Anonymous | April 27, 2009 5:52 PM
The answers are:
1) b
2) c
3) a
4) a
5) a
6) e
Posted by: RN | May 14, 2009 11:52 PM
I show the film The Da Vinci Code.This film is full of suspense and interesting.People can't move out from the chair while they are watching the movie.
Posted by: r4i | November 11, 2009 3:57 AM