THE LOST SYMBOL

Dan Brown

MSRP $29.95, 784 Pages.

Published by Doubleday.

Robert Langdon among the Masons.

In this stunning follow-up to the global phenomenon The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown demonstrates once again why he is the world's most popular thriller writer. The Lost Symbol is a masterstroke of storytelling—a deadly race through a real-world labyrinth of codes, secrets, and unseen truths . . . all under the watchful eye of Brown's most terrifying villain to date. Set within the hidden chambers, tunnels, and temples of Washington, D.C., The Lost Symbol accelerates through a startling landscape toward an unthinkable finale.

As the story opens, 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 this 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.

As the world discovered in The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons, Dan Brown's novels are brilliant tapestries of veiled histories, arcane symbols, and enigmatic codes. In this new novel, he again challenges readers with an intelligent, lightning-paced story that offers surprises at every turn. The Lost Symbol is exactly what Brown's fans have been waiting for . . . his most thrilling novel yet.


From the Hardcover edition.

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Let's start with the question every Dan Brown fan wants answered: Is The Lost Symbol as good as The Da Vinci Code? Simply put, yes. Brown has mastered the art of blending nail-biting suspense with random arcana (from pop science to religion), and The Lost Symbol is an enthralling mix. And what a dazzling accomplishment that is, considering that rabid fans and skeptics alike are scrutinizing every word.

The Lost Symbol begins with an ancient ritual, a shadowy enclave, and of course, a secret. Readers know they are in Dan Brown territory when, by the end of the first chapter, a secret within a secret is revealed. To tell too much would ruin the fun of reading this delicious thriller, so you will find no spoilers here. Suffice it to say that as with many series featuring a recurring character, there is a bit of a formula at work (one that fans will love). Again, brilliant Harvard professor Robert Langdon finds himself in a predicament that requires his vast knowledge of symbology and superior problem-solving skills to save the day. The setting, unlike other Robert Langdon novels, is stateside, and in Brown's hands Washington D.C. is as fascinating as Paris or Vatican City (note to the D.C. tourism board: get your "Lost Symbol" tour in order). And, as with other Dan Brown books, the pace is relentless, the revelations many, and there is an endless parade of intriguing factoids that will make you feel like you are spending the afternoon with Robert Langdon and the guys from Mythbusters.

Nothing is as it seems in a Robert Langdon novel, and The Lost Symbol itself is no exception--a page-turner to be sure, but Brown also challenges his fans to open their minds to new information. Skeptical? Imagine how many other thrillers would spawn millions of Google searches for noetic science, superstring theory, and Apotheosis of Washington. The Lost Symbol is brain candy of the best sort--just make sure to set aside time to enjoy your meal. --Daphne Durham

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More from Dan Brown

The Da Vinci Code	Angels & Demons	Deception Point	Digital Fortress

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Articles from the New York Times

Book Review

Sunday Review

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Customer Reviews

Revolting nonsense

Rating

So many reviews have already been written about this xxxp so I'll keep it short. Brown's books are starting to become formulaic. Let me guess - the next one will be set in some capital in the world. It will involve some sort of powerful, secret society. The main characters will be a dad and his "vanished" son. The son will exude intense but somewhat irrational hatred towards the dad and this might be seen in a chopped-off hand (what's with the father-son hatred? Demons and Angels already addressed this issue. Perhaps something personal for the author?) Medically a large part of the action will be entirely unrealistic. From a human behaviour point of view, the actions of certain characters will be entirely implausible. The son in Lost Symbol would have to have been a serial killer to delight in torturing his aunt the way he did. Totally senseless. The next DB book will contain minute descriptions of some enormous cavernous underground structure (this seems to be a fav for Mr. Brown). Any reader can add the rest of the story.... "Lost Symbol" was vulgar, improbable, unpleasant, simplistic, ridiculous, tedious. I gave it 2 stars rather than one for all those readers who get excited by a little bit of symbolism and who love word plays. Don't waste your time.

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don't waste your money!

Rating

A terrible book. I didn't even finish it. I'm over half way thru and it doesn't make any sense.

Mr. Brown: The CIA is legally from operating inside the U.S. They cannot arrest anyone. They are not the Police.

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Another Thrilling Ride

Rating

In THE LOST SYMBOL, Dan Brown does what he does best: he entertains us, he teaches us something, and he makes us THINK. If a book can do just one of these things, then the book has done its job. If it can do all three things, then it becomes a story to be remembered, ruminated over, and discussed, long after the reading is done. THE LOST SYMBOL is just such a book. Is THE LOST SYMBOL "Dan Brown formulaic?" Absolutely. But it is also a thrilling, suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat page turner that will keep you reading late into the night, your heart pounding in your chest, gasping at the possibilities.

In THE LOST SYMBOL, world renowned symbologist Robert Langdon is back, and this time his adventures take us to the heart of our nation, Washington DC. Robert's dearest friend is missing, and only Robert and his unique knowledge can save him. Robert must plunge into the world of our nation's founders, ancient history, and the iconic symbols of Masonry to solve an age old legend. Can he do it in time? Can Robert save his friend? And perhaps the world?

I like Dan Brown's writing style; it suits me. Short, sound-bite chapters with lots of action crammed in, keep the reader submerged in the story, not wanting to put THE LOST SYMBOL down. In this day and age of over programmed lives, this style also lets me read in short bursts, during five minute breaks, and still feel like I have made progress. These bursts of excitement also ensure that I return as soon as possible to read more.

Additionally, I enjoy the history lessons that are enmeshed in Dan Brown books. I always learn something, and THE LOST SYMBOL certainly makes you look at things - both ordinary and famous, both historical and modern - in a whole new light. After reading THE LOST SYMBOL, I, for one, would love to spend time in Washington DC, examining our national monuments and wandering the halls of the Smithsonian. I don't know how much of what Dan Brown writes is true, how much is fiction, and how much is old information put together in new ways, but I don't care. THE LOST SYMBOL makes me want to do the research and find out.

For an exciting roller coaster of a thriller, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE LOST SYMBOL. It will leave you breathless and curious, which is a winning combination.

As a side note, the premise of this story surprisingly reminds me of another book, from another decade in a completely different genre. I think readers of A STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND by Robert A. Heinlein will find THE LOST SYMBOL strangely familiar. While these two books are completely different in style and feel, the message is the same. If you grok STRANGER, then you will grok THE LOST SYMBOL. God groks.

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Exciting Adventure

Rating

I absolutely loved Dan Brown's new novel and all of the amazing information about codes, symbols and history of the Nation's Capitol. This guy can tell a story like no other. The style is much the same: short chapters that are fast-paced, breathless, imaginative and intelligent. I had a hard time putting it down. The action-packed tale takes readers on an exciting adventure through DC. I often have found myself running to the computer to find out whether what he's talking about is real or not. Lucky are those ones who live in DC and are able to see the locations in the story. I live in São Paulo, Brazil but next time I go to the US, I won't miss the chance to see those locations.

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best of the series

Rating

one of the hardest books for me to put down. i don't read a whole lot or very often and found myself reading nonstop, just wasn't able to put the book down.

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