Book Review: The Lost Symbol

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Click on the cover to see which libraries own it.

SUMMARY: Summoned to Washington, D.C., for a supposed presentation, Robert Langdon reaches the Capitol Rotunda just in time to receive a macabre invitation. Tattooed with five symbols, it starts him on a journey deciphered only by his esoteric knowledge of the Freemasons, Washington D.C., religions, and ancient peoples. In a race against time to save his mentor from a brutal captor, Langdon must unravel hidden secrets, evade the CIA, and figure out who he can trust.

OPINION: There is some amazing factual information behind this fictional story, and it is really cool to look at the real art of The Apotheosis of Washington or find out that noetic science actually exists. I found all of the interconnected minutia to be fascinating, especially the intricacies of the Freemasons' beliefs, rituals, and buildings. I also loved the role played by the Library of Congress in one big escape scene. The gripping plot kept me reading anxiously through the whole middle section of the book, but the pace did not sustain me until the end. A common piece of fiction writing advice is "show, don't tell," and I was annoyed by repeated long conversations that were clearly just an excuse for "telling." The end of the book really dragged, coupling heavy-handed discussions with some fairly obvious revelations. Overall, I would say it is worth reading if you are already a fan of The DaVinci Code or if you have an interest in American history.

ONLINE: Play the Symbol Quest game or visit Dan Brown's website.