Photo credit: Goodreads.com
Although the random bits of etymology and historical facts may be interesting for trivia games, and although the style does create suspense, stringing one chapter to another like beads on a rosary, Brown’s 454 pages overall make tedious reading, especially when the “heroes” escape from the weirdest situations that no one—no one—would ever find him- or herself in.
Moreover, the narratological vitriol against the Catholic Church is overbearing; it’s like reading a nineteenth-century Protestant attack on the “Romish Church” or something published by twenty-first century Democrats or their Communist allies, the Democratic Socialists of America.
And to think that this bit of fiction about Jesus marrying Saint Mary Magdalene, having children (or at least one child) with her, and creating a lineage reaching well into the twentieth century was somehow controversial twenty-three years ago. No wonder I found this book on the discount rack at my local prolife thrift store.
Despite this, it was worthwhile not only to see that this dated attack on Christianity has lost its luster, but also to realize that no one should ever lose his or her Christian faith merely because of a work of fiction.
Odd, too, that I wrote this brief review yesterday (22 July 2026), the feast day of Saint Mary Magdalene. Reviewing that day’s Gospel reading at Mass (Saint John, 20:1-2, 11-18) may be a much better use of reading time to understand Mary Magdalene’s relationship with her “Rabbouni” (Teacher).