The Da Vinci Cult

Goddamned peer pressure. I have finally succumbed to the powers that be that tell me Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" is a modern masterpiece of suspense. So, fine. I'm reading it.


And let me tell you something: I am a literary snob of the highest degree. I hate when I'm reading what everyone else and their pet monkey is reading. I loathe Oprah's book club and the fact that all she has to do is blink in a particular author's direction, and they become an instant millionaire. I think it's great that Oprah has gotten people interested in reading again. However, I have a problem with the cattle-like mindset of America's housewives who are worshipping at the altar of Oprah, and are only picking up these books because Oprah has deemed them worthy. When did all these people stop thinking for themselves???

But I digress.

The underlying point to my rant here is that I, too, caved to the media telling me everywhere I turned that "The Da Vinci Code" is the end-all, be-all, and that I might as well throw myself in front of a speeding bus if I don't read it or see the movie.

So I'm reading it. And I'll admit: it's pretty good. Is it the greatest thing since sliced bread? No. But it's keep my interest, so I guess that's good.

I suppose it could be worse. I could be reading "chick lit." Or worse, it could be something Oprah picked.