The Da Vinci Code is a mystery novel by Dan Brown, published in 2003. It’s one of the best-selling novels of all time, with 81 million copies sold as of 2013. The novel was made into a 2006 film directed by Ron Howard, starring Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou.
The story follows Robert Langdon, a Harvard University professor of religious iconology and symbology, Sophie Neveu, a French police cryptologist, and others as they discover clues hidden in Leonardo da Vinci’s paintings.
The protagonist Robert Langdon discovers clues that lead him to uncover a centuries-old conspiracy by the Knights Templar and the Catholic Church to cover up what they believe is Jesus’ true identity—a divine being who married Mary Magdalene and fathered a female heir, which would explain why there is no evidence for Jesus ever marrying after his crucifixion.
The book has been criticized for its inaccurate portrayal of the Roman Catholic Church and many of its historical claims. But it is also praised for its plot and characters. The historical notes of the book have been called “accurate” by scholars.
Some critics have argued that the novel contains anti-Catholic sentiments but defenders disagree. Defenders claim that the plot is based on historical facts and say that any criticism stems from misunderstanding or misrepresentation.
