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> The Lost Symbol (Robert Langdon, No. 3) |
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Author:
Dan Brown
By Doubleday Books
Average Customer Rating:  
List Price: $29.95
Our Price: $9.98
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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780385504225
ISBN: 0385504225
Label: Doubleday Books
Manufacturer: Doubleday Books
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 528
Publication Date: 2009-09-15
Publisher: Doubleday Books
Release Date: 2009-09-15
Studio: Doubleday Books |
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- ISBN13: 9780385504225
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Product Description
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.
Amazon.com Review
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
More from Dan Brown  |  |  |  | | The Da Vinci Code | Angels & Demons | Deception Point | Digital Fortress |
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Dan Brown Continues to Thrill, 2010-03-13
Dan Brown's latest novel is a true thriller, filled with mysticism, enigmas, puzzles, suspense, and intrigue. All the good stuff that makes reading delightful.
I enjoyed its precision both in describing the Capitol, where I once worked, and the Masonic craft, to which my father belonged. I am the son of a widow's son. And I have personal knowledge of Noetics and AMORC Rosicrucianism.
But the marvel is how Brown knits the various themes together to make an exciting, coherent whole, so that the reader anxiously keeps on turning the page, panting for what comes next.
This book is less doctrinaire than "The DaVinci Code" and likely steps on fewer toes. But it is no less compelling, exciting, and fascinating.
Great reading!!!
Losing Dan Brown, 2010-03-13
I thoroughly enjoyed Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons", as well as his other two novels, so I was excited to read "The Lost Symbol". While Brown weaves his mystery, intrigue, secret societies, symbols, and villains as expertly as ever, I think the novel was too long, with a lot of fillers.
Harvard symbology professor (by the way, there is no such position at Harvard) Robert Langdon returns to solve another mystery. Langdon is invited to deliver a speech in Washington, D.C., at the Capitol. Upon arriving, Langdon realizes that there is no speech to be given, and witnesses a shocking event that sends him running through D.C., sometimes with and sometimes away from, the CIA. Robert's millionaire friend Peter Solomon has disappeared, and seems to be in the hands of a lunatic who calls himself "Ma'lakh". Langdon also seems to believe that there is a government cover up of something, and Langdon does not know who to trust, apart from Solomon's sister Katherine, a scientist who is about to have a breakthrough in a new science of noetics. However, she also seems to be a target, as her science seems to be dangerous.
Let me first say that Brown has not lost any of his story-telling charm. However, "The Lost Symbol" does not even begin to approach the novels that made Brown a household name. While we have the same protagonist and similar twists and turns, "The Lost Symbol" gets really slow at times. It took me two days each to read "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons". It took me two weeks to read "The Lost Symbol", as I often had to force myself to trudge through the middle of the novel, telling myself that it must get better. Get better it does, but at the very end. It seemed like Brown had a good idea, rested on his laurels, did a lot of research, then wrote a novel haphazardly.
All in all, I am quite disappointed with "The Lost Symbol". While there is a lot of information in the novel about Freemasonry, as well as history behind the secret society, making me search further about the subjects, they were not well incorporated into the story line. It almost seems that it would have been better if Brown wrote a history of Freemasonry, and not a mystery novel. Recommended with caution.
*** This review also published on Epinions.
Third Time Is Not The Charm..., 2010-03-14
The Lost Symbol is The Da Vinci Code is Angel's and Demons is Deception Point. Unfortunately the novelty of the of super smart symbology sleuth solving impossible-to-solve ancient mysteries has really run it's course. The result: The Lost Symbol is just plain dull.
If you've read any of Brown's other books, you know before opening this book that Robert Langdon will pull off the impossible, he will partner with an intellectual female, there will be some sort of uber zealous secret society, and the secret society will not want whatever secrets Langon will uncover to see the light of day (or in this case, see the light of day in someone else's hands).
And between learning valuable information from THE ONLY people on the planet that can provide that key info (darn lucky for Langdon) there is a bit of action with generally predictable outcomes.
But the biggest "things that make you go 'huh'" moment has got to be the ending. After expending the energy to slog through hundreds of pages of numerous "Oh, I get it now" moments where Langon has some partial epiphany that leads him to the next clue, you are rewarded with fizzle.
I may have given The Lost Symbol an extra star if the ending were a bit more interesting and less preachy. However, it wasn't so 2 stars is as good as it gets.
The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons were fair escapist stories and worth reading. The Lost Symbol has some fun Dan Brown moments (specifically insights into real or make-believe facts about our nation's capital), but mostly it's just not very fun to read.
great audio book, 2010-03-14
Great book on CD. Kept you suprised until the end. Amazon had great price and quick delivery.
Dan Brown's secret formula, 2010-03-14
Here is the formula to writing a Dan Brown Novel. First one must pick a group of a million or more to offend, here are some examples: the Catholic Church, the Freemasons or heck why not just go for all Christians, good PR. Second you've got to make the whole book span about twelve hours then add an amazing revelation destroying previous beliefs. Don't forget to add a devious villian who is not who everyone thinks he is.Then you add about 400 pages of useless or false information and about ten pages of useful facts. Finally you add an anticlimax at the end and you have your Dan Brown novel.
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