Instruct: Classify the given Amazon review as either positive or negative.
Query: Really - how did this become so popular

I don't know which is worse, Brown's writing or the fact that he based the book on something that was proven to be a total hoax. It boogles the mind that Brown stands behind the material as factual when there is direct evidence that story was a hoax. If you do any real background research, you'll find out quickly that the Priory of Scion was an organization created by 3 Frenchmen in the 1950's. The individuals who pulled this prank freely admit they did this as a joke and never expected it to go so far. Enter Dan Brown, a second class writer who falls for a previously disclosed hoax. I cannot believe that so many people (mainly Americans) bought right in to an openly fabricated story. On top of the story being completely fictional, the writing style is dreadful. Do yourself a favor and read something by a legitimate writer, you'll be better entertained.