In the 1960s and 1970s, orthodox Christianity was challenged by serious theological controversy (e.g., the Death of God debate) and new popular images of Christ (e.g., the rock musical, Jesus Christ Superstar [motion picture, 1973]). In the 1980s interest in traditional Christian faith and piety reemerged. In increasing numbers Catholics and some Protestants visited shrines like Lourdes in France and Fatima in Portugal — places where the Blessed Virgin Mary had appeared and where miraculous cures seemed to occur. In The Miracle Wallace blends topical issues from each shrine. At Lourdes miraculous cures are subjected to — and some survive — rigorous scientific investigation; regarding Fatima, rumors abound about a mysterious "third letter" from Lucia dos Santos (who first saw the Virgin's apparition in 1917) to the Pope which was said to contain a revelation from the Blessed Mother. Wallace's plot begins when the fictitious Pope...