Over the last week, I've been reading Rob Bell's Sex God (review on the way) and now I find myself looking at a review copy of Pagan Christianity? by Frank Viola and George Barna.
I'm all in favor of heady, incendiary titles, so long as they make good with some solid, jaw-dropping copy. Mere titillation is, of course, deplorable. I'll be reporting back on how these two books fare...
In the meantime, Quick Reader Poll: Which title do you think is more provocative?
And while we're at it, are there other outrageously eye-catching titles that I should be aware of before I hand out my "Most Provocative" award?
Monday, December 31, 2007
Books Battle for "Most Provocative Title" Award
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6 comments:
Ariel,
"Pagan Christianity" stands a good head and a half taller than "Sex God."
"Sex God" is just a bit too predictable. It just seems like Bell is trying too hard to make the eye brow raise--it almost makes it fake. It is like a bad salesman who doesn't even try to hide the fact that he is throwing a classic salesman spiel.
Jimmy
Ariel - check out Joe Thorn's blog - he's just starting to blog about Pagan Christianity, which I concur, is the more provocative title.
...although I do have Sex God on my shelf, about 5th in line to be read...
"Sex God" is just a bit too predictable... It is like a bad salesman who doesn't even try to hide the fact that he is throwing a classic salesman spiel.
Wow, that's quite a rip, Jimmy. I'm still deciding whether I agree...but I can't argue with the zing on that smack. One thing for sure: titles definitely play a marketing role.
Thanks for the tip, Andy. I'll see what Joe has to say.
I do have Sex God on my shelf, about 5th in line to be read...
Your self-restraint is admirable.
I'm a little behind on my blog reading lately so this comment is slightly light. But i've been interested in reading Pagan Christianity. Not because of the title, but because of what i read about it on its website. I'm looking forward to your thorough review.
Haven't read either one, but I am definitely thinking about reading Pagan Christianity, if only because Barna's name is on the cover...and statisticians can't lie...can they?
Oh, and I should know better since I just read Matthew 7 this morning, but...sorry, I just can't resist letting the Grammar Nazi in me come out again. It's "fare", not "fair". http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/fair.html
and statisticians can't lie...can they?
Was your tongue pressed to the side of your mouth as you typed that?
Geez, another grammar mistake. To be fare to myself, I do know the difference... ;) Fixed.
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