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

the Worst of Dan Brown

Rating

definitely the worst of Dan Brown
not interesting
very similar to previous books
in the end, the author has tried too hard to present his own philosophy
disappointing end.

it is a book probably written to ride the 'wave'

SG

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Good Tale, But Last Chapter Was Bad

Rating

Overall, a good tale told by Mr. Brown. However, he could have stopped and deleted the last chapter as I didn't think it added much except maybe as a lead in to the follow-up novel.

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Another great read.

Rating

Packed with action and a little history of Washington D.C. I really enjoyed this book

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Fabulous!!

Rating

I'm only 1/5 of the way through this book, yet I can hardly put it down and have to recommend it. If I could only read this 1/5 of it, it would have been worth the price of the book alone! That tells you something. I'm upset that I started this book on Sunday evening, therefore can only read snippets of it through the work week rather than one thoroughly long, enjoyable reading period over the weekend! I had my doubts about this book, I tend to only read non-ficion these days (and I've also read The Da Vinci Code which I absolutely loved), and yet Dan Brown has proven himself once again. To those naysayers, obviously this book is going to be different from The Da Vinci Code! He can't write the same book!

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the lost symbol

Rating

this book couldn't hold a candle to the davinci code. it seemed slow and lacked originality. if this had been the only book by this author i had read, i wouldn't buy another and i probably wont read future books unless they are free

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