It's been over two decades since The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown first hit bookstores. Back then, no one could have predicted what kind of impact it would have on the literary world.
Brown is known for his dramatic thrillers, but his work especially came to light upon the publishing of The Da Vinci Code. Since then, it's been translated into 44 languages and has sold more than 80 million copies worldwide, per Audible.
In fact, it's been banned in several countries, including India, Pakistan, Lebanon and Samoa, due to its depiction of religious content and alleged inaccuracies, according to the Banned Library podcast.
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By the end of 2003, it had sold more than 5. 7 million hardcover copies around the world, making it that year's #1 fiction bestseller, according to Publishers Weekly. In comparison, the fiction book that held that spot prior, The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller's, sold over 4.3 million copies.
"The work’s fast pacing kept its readers hooked, especially those who might not normally be long-form readers," she tells Parade.
Is ‘The Da Vinci Code’ Based on a True Story? Unpacking the Controversy
The Da Vinci Code's plot-line follows Robert Langdon, a Harvard University professor of symbology who is put up to the task of solving the murder of a curator at the Louvre, an "historically inspired thriller that takes readers on a tour of European art," explains Erdtsieck.
As the professor seeks to uncover the message of the dead man, he trails through the continent with pursuers on his tail, "whose sole mission is to keep the secret from getting out, no matter if that leaves Langdon dead or alive," says Erdtsieck.
If you ask Erdtsieck, the book employs historical and religious concepts that are all too common to people, whether they grew up with them or learned them in school, and then begs the question: "What if?" she says.
In the Associates for Biblical Research, author David Witmer debunks many religious ideas in the book, and states that "none of the concepts of The Da Vinci Code are new; Brown’s novel is a contemporary compilation of legends circulating for centuries."
However, in a PhilStar Global interview in 2006, the book's author, Dan Brown, says that while elements like the characters themselves aren't real, the "artwork, architecture, documents and secret rituals depicted in this novel all exist."
"That real facts and evidence are used to speculatively re-examine history in a new light, even if the ultimate findings have not been corroborated," she says.
There are so many reasons to love The Da Vinci Code, and to perhaps find yourself reading it over and over again. But what is it that makes it such an addictive read? While symbology isn't a real profession you can go into or study at Harvard, per Slate, it's not hard to crack this code.
"To use a film metric, both are four-quadrant pieces of media—works of popular art that appeal to four major demographics in the market: under-age-25 women, under-age-25 men, over-age-25 women and over-age-25 men," she explains.
In that case, it allows readers to get a sense of something exciting to unravel and ponder deeply upon, building "upon popular knowledge," reveals Erdtsieck, while also "giving readers a taste of world travel and exploration."
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The 'Robert Langdon' Books in Order
Robert Langdon isn't just the protagonist in The Da Vinci Code. The Robert Langdon novel series follows him in these six novels by Dan Brown. He's portrayed as a Harvard University professor of symbology, but the fictional plot lines differ. Here are the books in order:
1. 'Angels & Demons' (2000)
Amazon
2. 'The Da Vinci Code' (2003)
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3. 'The Lost Symbol' (2009)
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4. 'Inferno' (2013)
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5. 'Origin' (2017)
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6. 'The Secret of Secrets' (2025)
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In 2006, the moment many fans of The Da Vinci Code had been waiting for came to fruition: the novel was finally turned into a film. And not just that; it was the first of three eventual movies in the Robert Langdon film series.
Again, this is the first film out of three, with film icon Ron Howard as the director for the whole trilogy.
Curious where you can stream the films? Down below, find where you'll conveniently be able to watch them.
'Robert Langdon' FilmWhere To StreamRent on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango
Rent on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV and Fandango Free on Tubi until Aug. 31, 2026
Rent on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV and Fandango
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Anaiah Erdtsieck is a school librarian and is on Instagram and TikTok as @lookshesbooked.Hence then, the article about 23 years ago this popular novel stayed 1 on best seller lists throughout the entire month of august was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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