The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown


The Lost Symbol

By

Dan Brown



Front Flap: "As the story open, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned unexpectedly to deliver an evening lecture in the U.S. Capitol Building. Within minutes of his arrival, however, the night takes a bizarre turn. A disturbing object - artfully encoded with five symbols--is discovered in the Capitol Building. Langdon recognizes the object as an ancient invitation...one meant to usher its recipient into a long lost world of esoteric wisdom.

When Langdon's beloved mentor, Peter Solomon--a prominent Mason and philanthropist--is brutally kidnapped, Langdon realizes his only hope of saving Peter is to accept his mystical invitation and follow wherever it leads him. Langdon is instantly plunged into a clandestine world of Masonic secrets, hidden history, and never before seen locations -- all of which seem to be dragging him toward a single, inconceivable truth.


Dan Brown just happens to be one of my favorite authors. The very first book I read back in 1998 was Digital Fortress. I was looking at books by Dale Brown, another favorite author who writes techno thrillers and picked up the book thinking it was by him. I bought the book and realized after a bit, his voice seemed totally different and looked at the front. Dan Brown. Hmmm! I went on to read all his books, including Da Vinci Code. I read Da Vinci Code twice. The second time after hearing all the hype and doing a bit of research. Which brings me to The Lost Symbol.

I thought this part was especially cool since I've been taking Art History.

The fresco of the "Apotheosis of Washington" by Constantino Brumidi in the Capitol Rotunda mentioned in the story. That slightly sidetracked me from the story, when I went on the internet and started exploring the history and art section of The Architect of the Capitol's website. Wow! Now I want to go there.

Anyway. According to the amazon critics I must have bad taste, because I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It is a non stop, analytical, symbol ridden, action packed ride. This is one book you cannot put your mind on hold and let it entertain you. It makes you think. The villain is very interesting, very evil and determined to get what he wants. He gives Langdon a run for his money. If you like psychological, intellectual thrillers, if you are into symbolism and puzzles, then this a book for you.

Pages: 528
Publisher: Doubleday
Released: September 15, 2009


5 comments:

  1. Looking forward to reading this. I totally loved Da Vinci Code. Looking at that picture I want to know more, both about what is said in the book and what you learned.

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  2. I fully intend to enjoy the book. I already bought it -- just haven't had time to read it.

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  3. thanks for your review. I hope to get around to this one someday :)

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  4. Sou glad to see you enjoyed this one. The reviews are mixed it seems.

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  5. Aw, no shout-out to Abrecht Durer? I would have had no idea that scene depicted the Apotheosis of Washington if Dan Brown hadn't written about it. Most people these days don't like allegorical works like that.

    I'm on page 350, so I'm almost finished. Yay!

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