Robert Langdon (book series)
Robert Langdon is a fictional protagonist of a series of novels, novellas and short stories by American author Dan Brown. A Harvard University professor of religious iconology and symbology (a fictional field related to the study of historic symbols, which is not methodologically connected to the actual discipline of semiotics). Brown's novels that feature the lead character Robert Langdon also include historical themes and Christianity as motifs, and as a result, have generated controversy. Brown states on his website that his books are not anti-Christian, though he is on a 'constant spiritual journey' himself, and says that his book The Da Vinci Code is simply "an entertaining story that promotes spiritual discussion and debate" and suggests that the book may be used "as a positive catalyst for introspection and exploration of our faith."
Novel series
| No. | Title | Identifier(s) | Date of publication | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Angels & Demons | ISBN 1-59315-140-3 | May 2000 | Following the murder of a physicist, Leonardo Vetra, a symbolist, Robert Langdon, and a scientist, Vittoria Vetra, are on an adventure involving a secret brotherhood, the Illuminati. Clues lead them all around the Vatican, including the four altars of science, Earth, Air, Fire and Water. |
| 2 | The Da Vinci Code | ISBN 0-385-50420-9 | April 2003 | Secret of the Holy Grail. In the novel, Sir Leigh Teabing explains to Sophie Neveu that the figure at the right hand of Jesus in Leonardo da Vinci's painting The Last Supper is not the apostle John, but actually Mary Magdalene. |
| 3 | The Lost Symbol | ISBN 978-0-385-50422-5 | September 2009 | A thriller set in Washington, D.C., after the events of The Da Vinci Code, and relies on Freemasonry for both its recurring theme and its major characters, which included Robert Langdon. |
| 4 | Inferno | ISBN 978-0-385-53785-8 | May 2013 | Robert Langdon wakes up in a hospital bed suffering from amnesia. A woman tries to kill him and he is saved by a doctor, Sienna. Robert finds links to Dante's Divine Comedy in all the messages projected by the canister and uses his knowledge of symbology to reach Venice where he believes he will find the cave. |
| 5 | Origin[1] | ISBN 978-0593078754 | October 2017[1] | TBA |
Fictional books
In the book series, Langdon is himself an author of six (fictional) books:
- The Symbology of Secret Sects
- The Art of the Illuminati: Part 1
- The Lost Language of Ideograms
- Religious Iconology
- Symbols of the Lost Sacred Feminine
- Christian Symbols in the Muslim World
In the real book The Lost Symbol on page 8, a minor character, Pam, refers to the (fictional) Symbols of the Lost Sacred Feminine as creating 'a delicious scandal'.
Reception
The series has sold over 100 million copies.[2][3]
Adaptations
Films
The novels were a success around the world and became bestsellers, and soon adapted into films in which Ron Howard directed and produced 3 of 4 novels: The Da Vinci Code (2006), Angels & Demons (2009), and Inferno (2016), with Tom Hanks portrayed the lead character, Professor Robert Langdon, which was released by Columbia Pictures.
See also
References
- ^ a b Flood, Alison (September 29, 2016). "Dan Brown returns to Da Vinci decoder for new novel Origin". The Guardian. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
- ^ Daniel Henninger. "Holy Sepulchre! 60 Million Buy 'The Da Vinci Code'". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
- ^ Marcus, Caroline (September 13, 2009). "Brown is back with the code for a runaway bestseller". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved September 13, 2009.