Book review: The Lost Symbol
By Dan BrownHaving enjoyed The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, I approached The Lost Symbol with certain expectations. And I wasn’t disappointed.
Robert Langdon, professor of religious iconology and symbology at Harvard University, is invited to hold a speech during an important event at the Capitol. When he arrives in Washington, however, there is no gala dinner. Instead, he is welcomed by the gruesome finding of Peter Solomon’s severed hand. A dear friend and significant member of the Freemasons, Peter has been kidnapped by a man who calls himself Mal’akh and who’s determined to gain access to the legendary Mason's Pyramid and the power that it contains. Professor Langdon has only a few hours’ time to try and save his mentor.
True to his style, Brown has created a thriller capable of keeping your interest at all times. The narrative is fast-paced, packed with sudden twists and revelations. Some of these might become predictable as events unfold but not so much in advance that they spoil the suspense.
During the eventful night, Robert Langdon is flanked by a series of characters whose purpose is not always clear. Are they trying to help him or hinder him? And what are these powerful secrets that are threatened to alter life as we know it? Like its predecessors, The Lost Symbol is chock-full of notions of symbology, Freemasonry, science and religion. Perhaps there is too much information to retain but, after all, this is not a textbook. Every detail included feels just right, making you want to know more.
I enjoyed this book as well - I enjoy raiding his style, although I would recommend you not read the books he published in the mid-90s, unfortunately; they are very dated as they relate to technological advancements. So I was happy to read The Lost Symbol, as it kept true to his flavor and style of his earlier Robert Langdon books!
ReplyDeleteSo it was good anyway? Gonna try to read mine soon!
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely good!
ReplyDeleteI usually read reviews after I've read the book but this on is in my to read pile. Having enjoyed Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code, it's good to here it's more of the same.
ReplyDeleteI've been racking my brain trying to think of recommendations since you'd already read People of the Book. And funnily enough Dan Brown kept coming to mind. I'm currently reading 'Deception Point' and will eventually review it on my blog;
ReplyDeletehttp://kiwiscouser.blogspot.com/
but I gotta say that I'm struggling a little with it. Da Vinci Code and A & D grab you in the first couple of pages and the Langdon character is fantastic. I really enjoyed those books but there's no Langdon in this book. Looks like I should read The Lost Symbol next I think :-)
This is on our bookshelves and my husband has read it I really must get round to it soon.
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