The Da Vinci Code Summary

The Da Vinci Code is a 2003 mystery thriller novel by Dan Brown. It follows the story of Robert Langdon, a professor of symbology at Harvard University, who is called to the Louvre Museum in Paris to investigate the murder of Jacques Saunière, the curator. Saunière's body is found in the museum's Grand Gallery, surrounded by a complex set of symbols. Langdon soon learns that Saunière was a member of a secret society known as the Priory of Sion, and that he was killed because he was about to reveal the truth about the Holy Grail.

The Da Vinci Code has been praised for its suspenseful plot and its provocative ideas. It has also been criticized for its historical inaccuracies and its treatment of religion. However, the book remains a popular read, and it has been adapted into a successful film.

Content Table

• Introduction
  • About the Author
  • About the Book
• The Plot of the Book
  • The Murder of Jacques Saunière
  • Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu
  • The Priory of Sion
  • The Holy Grail
  • The Kiss of Judas
• The Themes of the Book
  • Religion
  • History
  • Art
  • Conspiracy Theories
• The Reception of the Book
  • Critical Reception
  • Commercial Success
• Conclusion

Introduction

The Da Vinci Code is a 2003 mystery thriller novel by Dan Brown. It follows the story of Robert Langdon, a professor of symbology at Harvard University, who is called to the Louvre Museum in Paris to investigate the murder of Jacques Saunière, the curator. Saunière's body is found in the museum's Grand Gallery, surrounded by a complex set of symbols. Langdon soon learns that Saunière was a member of a secret society known as the Priory of Sion, and that he was killed because he was about to reveal the truth about the Holy Grail.

The Plot of the Book

Langdon teams up with Sophie Neveu, a police cryptologist, to solve the mystery of Saunière's murder. They travel to London, Rome, and the Château de Villiers in France, following the clues that Saunière left behind. Along the way, they learn about the Priory of Sion, the Holy Grail, and the Kiss of Judas.

The Priory of Sion is a real secret society that was founded in 1099. The society's stated purpose is to protect the Holy Grail, which is said to be the cup that Jesus Christ used at the Last Supper. The Kiss of Judas is a painting by Leonardo da Vinci that is said to contain clues about the location of the Holy Grail.

In the end, Langdon and Neveu discover that the Holy Grail is not a physical object, but a metaphor for the feminine principle. They also learn that Saunière was killed by the Opus Dei, a conservative Catholic organization that is determined to protect the Church's secrets.

The Themes of the Book

The Da Vinci Code explores a number of themes, including religion, history, art, and conspiracy theories.

The book's treatment of religion is controversial. Brown suggests that the Catholic Church has suppressed the truth about the Holy Grail for centuries. He also argues that the Church has been responsible for the persecution of women.

The Da Vinci Code also explores the history of the Priory of Sion. Brown claims that the Priory was founded by Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene, and that it has been protecting the Holy Grail for centuries. However, there is no historical evidence to support this claim.

The book also features a number of works of art, including the Mona Lisa, the Vitruvian Man, and the Kiss of Judas. Brown suggests that these works of art contain clues about the location of the Holy Grail.

Finally, The Da Vinci Code explores the world of conspiracy theories. Brown suggests that the Catholic Church, the Opus Dei, and other powerful organizations are working together to suppress the truth about the Holy Grail.

The Reception of the Book

The Da Vinci Code was a critical and commercial success. It has sold over 80 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling novels of all time. However, the book has also been criticized for its historical inaccuracies and its treatment of religion.

Some critics have accused Brown of misrepresenting the history of the Catholic Church and the Priory of Sion. Others have argued that the book is anti-Catholic and that it promotes conspiracy theories.

Despite the criticism, The Da Vinci Code remains a popular book. It has been adapted into a successful film, and it has inspired a number of other works of fiction and non-fiction.

Conclusion

The Da Vinci Code is a controversial and thought-provoking book. It has been praised for its suspenseful plot and its provocative ideas. However, it has also been criticized for its historical inaccuracies and its treatment of religion.

The book is sure to continue to be debated for years to come. It is a book that will make you think, and it is a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.