The notion that we are all alone in the world is an illusion

Brown on ignoring the critics, amazing readers, and AI

- BY MATT NIXSON

DAN Brown has a simple rule of thumb when it comes to reviews.

"Don't read your press," he tells me. "If you read your good press, you're going to get lazy and conceited - if you read the bad stuff, you'll get insecure and depressed." The guidance came from a hugely successful female writer, shared after some "particularly vicious reviews", who concluded: "Neither one is helpful, so just put on the blinders, write the book you would want to read and get on with your life." How's that going, I wonder? The bestselling US author has the grace to look a little sheepish as he smiles: "It's been great advice, but I haven't quite been able to not read my bad reviews or my good reviews..." Having enjoyed global success tackling big issues of religion, science and technology - with hit movie adaptations starring Tom Hanks - the 61-year-old has been blessed with almost everything except unequivocal critical acclaim.

Studying the response to his new book The Secret Of Secrets, it's no stretch to suggest he might be the ultimate 'Marmite' writer, beloved by readers since his 2003 blockbuster The Da Vinci Code which suggested Jesus and Mary Magdalene had a child together - yet derided by the critics.

There's an element, I suggest, of "tall poppy syndrome" the backlash that so often follows enormous success and the strange habit we have of trying to knock down anyone we think might have got a bit too big for their boots.

Happily, despite the fact he's a bona-fide publishing sensation, there's no sign Brown's ego has outstripped him - and he always writes the books he wants to read.