Digital Fortress was Dan Brown's first novel, back in 1996. He was mostly unknown in Spain then, and not deemed the effort to translate into Spanish; however, after
The Da Vinci code, we can't get enough of him, and that's why Digital Fortress is about to appear in Cervantes' mother tongue.
However, a few paragraphs have leaked before publication, because, unlike what Dan Brown might think, some people here Actually Speak English. And these paragraphs might be enough to award Seville the title of most misrepresented Spanish city in North American movies and novels, after Holy Week floats bursted in flames during Mission: Impossible.
What's considered offensive for people (in
blogs, and also in
mainstream press,
TV newscasts and the
international press), or at least, a proof of ignorance by Dan Brown, are statements about the steps in the
Giralda that kill tourists (there are
no steps in the Giralda, as has been noted, for instance, in
these reviews), the presentation of Spain as a miserable country, with hospitals smelling of urine and police that can be easily bribed (I can't say anything about these, but they are as easily bribed as police in the UK or USA, I guess). All in all, a science fiction book, with little in the way of science, and fiction, well, if that's your cup of tea. Funny thing is that,
he's been actually living in Seville for some time. As BlackVeela says:
He surely spent his stay being drunk under a bridge, or maybe some girl rejected him and his hurt pride swore to take vengeance.
BTW, that using their well-know humor, Seville has officially
invited Dan Brown to visit it. No bribes involved, apparently.
Which reminds me, BTW, of Beggars in Spain, by Nancy Kress. There are beggars in Spain, mind you, but, once again, as many as in any other European country.
