Christian fiction is wide ranging, from the immensely popular thriller "The Da Vinci Code" to self-styled "Christian literature," such as the Left Behind books, from Catholic restorations like Ralph McNerny and Andrew Greeley, to novelists highly respected by the literary establishment, such as Ron Hansen and Frederick Beuchner, who openly proclaim their personal faith as a guiding feature of their work. This variety of contemporary religious fiction and the publishing phenomenon it represents indicates that this literature transcends any overt religious meaning and is significant in its political and social implications. Anita Gandolfo contends it is emblematic of the contemporary American Zeitgeist.Traditionally, literature is both "mirror" and "lamp," reflecting the society that produces it and illuminating that society to highlight meaning and significance. Through a consideration of the wild popularity of Christian fiction, Gandolfo explores the cultural meaning and significance of this fiction and addresses questions about its place in American culture.