[jobim]

Yes, a novel, but have you seen any patterns in the reactions of your aquaintances who have read it?

In my anecdotal polling, those who normally would have not the slightest interest in a book about Jesus and Mary Magdalen and Opus Dei, those with an animus against belief and Christianity and Catholicism in particular, are positively riveted by this book. I am convinced that it has provided anti-Catholics with reasons to continue their anti-Catholicism.

[birbear]

Actually it caused me (and my family) to further explore Catholicism.

[dead]

I have to agree with you. I know of three real anti-religious liberals who all told me that they thought the fiction was OK, but it was the "background history" that the story played out against that was so fascinating for them.

"I never knew all that stuff!" they all excitedly told me in one way or another.

I'm not particularly religious or anti-religious, so I started reading it. I got through about fifty pages, but I felt like I was reading a bad novelization of a Scooby Doo episode.

[geopyg]

"Yes, a novel ......"

BUT, it COULD have happened this way, we'll never know. /sarc

A friend of mine is well versed in Christianity. He also thought the book was very entertaining. Hogwash - but fun. And in overhearing a conversation of his with a "code believer" he had some very obvious and straightforward arguments - although I can't remember a one. (I didn't read the book).