EXCLUSIVE: Dan Brown Explains Why He's Written Abridged 'The Da Vinci Code' For Teens

The original novel has sold more than 80million copies around the world.

Just in case he hadn’t reached enough readers with his bestselling novel ‘The Da Vinci Code’, Dan Brown has now adapted it for teen readers. 

Since its publication in 2003, the first thriller with history professor Robert Langdon at its centre as sold a stunning 82million copies around the world and been turned into a hit film starring Tom Hanks, directed by Ron Howard

Now, at the same time as this Oscar-winning pair team up again for Robert Langdon’s third screen outing in ‘Inferno’, Dan Brown has abridged his original bestseller for a younger audience. 

Open Image Modal
Tom Hanks starred with Audrey Tautou in the film of 'The Da Vinci Code'
Sony

Why, you may ask? Wasn’t the language straightforward enough in its original form? In our Exclusive video above, let the man himself explain... 

In both versions, Professor Langdon receives a late-night phone call while on business in France - the curator of the Louvre in Paris has been brutally murdered inside the museum. Alongside the body, police have found a series of baffling codes and need Langdon’s help to decipher them.

‘Inferno’ is in cinemas this week, starring Felicity Jones alongside Tom Hanks, with the professor this time intent on a mission to decipher enough Dante-related clues to prevent a virus striking the earth and wiping out half of us in one fell swoop. 

10 Fun Facts About Dan Brown
(01 of10)
Open Image Modal
A childhood accident left Dan Brown's right hand permanently clutching a book and his left hand permanently stuck in his trouser pocket. Fortunately he has a pair of fake electronic hands to write with.
(02 of10)
Open Image Modal
When signing autographs for fans, Dan Brown writes: "Dan Brown wrote his autograph for a fan. 'Dan Brown', he wrote".
(03 of10)
Open Image Modal
Brown is accompanied everywhere by a bodyguard wearing an amusing costume.
(04 of10)
Open Image Modal
Dan Brown's dream for a Da Vinci Code stage at the 2003 Glastonbury Festival sadly proved unworkable. However, the tent did visit various seaside resorts.
(05 of10)
Open Image Modal
When speaking in public, Dan Brown has all his lines fed to him by a person deciphering the work of a group of monkeys using typewriters.
(06 of10)
Open Image Modal
Before he was famous, Brown used to sneak into red carpet events and pose with celebrities. Here he is pictured during such a moment, shortly before being led away by security.
(07 of10)
Open Image Modal
Dan Brown has a very disciplined working habit: he can only write in bookshops, surrounded by copies of his own novels. Here he is hard at work on his latest!
(08 of10)
Open Image Modal
Brown shrugs off criticism of his work by Italian literature experts, who have been known to burn copies of The Da Vinci Code in protest at its poor writing.
(09 of10)
Open Image Modal
Dan Brown once faced a legal challenge from a man who claimed that The Da Vinci Code was based on his own novel, The Diet Code - all about a cryptic message written in a sandwich.
(10 of10)
Open Image Modal
Many believe that Dan Brown himself is a work of fiction, as he amazingly manages to sell so many books while still lacking a strong grasp of English. This, say many, is the true mystery.