30 Sept 2010

THE LOST SYMBOL.


THE LOST SYMBOL by DAN BROWN.

Washington DC: Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned at the last minute to deliver an evening lecture in the Capitol Building. Within moments of his arrival, however, a disturbing object - gruesomely encoded with five symbols - is discovered at the epicentre of the Rotunda. It is , he recognises, an ancient invitation, meant to beckon its recipient towards a long-lost world of hidden esoteric wisdom.

When Langdon's revered mentor, Peter Solomon - philanthropist and prominent mason - is brutally kidnapped, Langdon realizes that his only hope of saving his friend's life is to accept this mysterious summons and follow wherever it leads him.

Langdon finds himself quickly swept behind the facade of  America's most powerful city into the unseen chambers, temples and tunnels which exist there. All that was familiar is transformed into a shadowy, clandestine world of an artfully concealed past in which Masonic secrets and never-before-seen revelations seem to be leading him to a single impossible and inconceivable truth.
...... From the inner front cover.

FIRST SENTENCE (from the prologue): The secret is how to die.

MEMORABLE MOMENT: The library's closed lady.
But the woman didn't seem to care. She seized one of the heavy ring-shaped handles, heaved it backward, and let it fall with a loud crash against the door. Then she did it again. And again. And again.
Wow, the homeless man thought, she must really need a book.

Almost a year since The Lost Symbol was released and still there is a list of people all wishing to reserve this book at our library.

What can I say? Wonderful, fascinating and totally unputdownable even if it was a bit unbelievable with cheesy dialogue in places. How I wish I knew where fact ended and fiction began in this masterpiece by Dan Brown.

Full of twists and turns, this was a roller coaster of a ride with wonderful characters throughout. I especially liked the female leads, Katherine Solomon and Sato, both driven and intelligent, they were wonderfully written. And as for the 'baddie' Mal'akh? Perhaps my favourite character of all, evil genius (his torture of Langdon was truly chilling) and yet, a strangely sad character - some of the best written parts, I firmly believe, involve his story.

A great read, I'm sure this will also be made into a film.

The Lost Symbol was a library book read, read as part of the SEPTEMBER SPECTACULAR READING CHALLENGE it is my fifth and final book. Click HERE for links to the other books read for the challenge and HERE to see what other books bloggers have been reading/reviewing as part of their challenge.

21 comments:

serendipity_viv said...

'How I wish I knew where fact ended and fiction began in this masterpiece by Dan Brown.' I feel like that about all Dan Brown books. He really does make you think after you have finished the book.

Trac~ said...

This sounds like another great book by Dan Brown. Thanks for sharing the review and I look forward to this being made into a movie as well. I hope you have a wonderful day my friend and I promise I will get back to commenting again as soon as I can. Big hugs my friend! xoxoxo

Misha said...

Thanks for the review! This book has been lying on my shelf for a long time. I might finally read it now! I loved Dan Brown's Angels and Demons too.

Arti said...

It is one of the best books I have read! My favorite episode is when (and how) Katherine escapes from her lab...
Your review is just so so perfect. I feel like reading it all over again!!

Vince said...

Are you extracting the urine ?.
In the 80's I read the one based on Rennes le Chateau, now that's much more fun. And since then I read History and Classics, so it's even more so, funwise.
Brown is like drinking skimmed milk. And I've read a few of them now. Further, He or his publisher is a tad heavy-handed with the comma. You don't really need one after every word.

Felicity Grace Terry said...

All entitled to our opinions Vince. I think we will have to agree to disagree on this one.

Revd. Neal Terry said...

Am yet to read this one, though I have no doubt it will be forced upon me at some point. From previous experience Browns stuff would not draw a single superlative from me, I would not even stretch to the comparison with skimmed milk in terms of substance. But readable, switch-off, fun fiction. Yes they're all right.

Gina said...

Nice review! Sounds mysterious enough to hold interest and yet hokey enough to make you laugh at parts...nice combination. As for the movie aspect...I believe it's slated for a 2012 release actually....happy reading!

Kelly said...

I enjoyed The Da Vinci Code for what it was...and action packed thriller. The movie of it was disappointing. I enjoyed the film of Angels & Demons, probably because I didn't read the book first. I doubt I read this one (too many other books in my TBR) but will probably give the film a go if they make one, which I'm sure they will. Tom Hanks again?

Good review.

Melissa Gill said...

This is on my TBR, I love Dan Brown's books, but the movie will probably be out before I get to it.

SG said...

Nice review. Few things bothers me in this book. The involvement of the CIA, no one questioning threats against American citizens, and the ability to break in to the Library of Congress. I know this is a fiction. But the author is asking us to believe them.

Nina said...

I have heard so many great things about this book and also have seen it everywhere! I probably will see the movie first. :)

Suko said...

WoW1 I had ZERO interest in this book--until I read your review!

danya said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! This one sounds like it would make a great film :)

BookQuoter said...

I really liked this book a lot immediately after I read it, until I realized it was Angels and Demons in Washington DC. I still like Dan Brown, read all of his books, and will probably read the next one too, but I hope he comes up with a different formula next time.

Oddyoddyo13 said...

This sounds fantastic! I HAVE to read one of his books someday. :)

Willa said...

I haven't read this yet but I think I will have to, sounds like a good read.

Darlyn said...

It's been a while i have not read dan brown but this one is also a gem. i dived myself into the mysteries he created. it's a great book!

budh.aaah said...

Oh I must read this..soooon

Ashlie Swainston said...

I love Dan Brown's historical fiction books. The stuff about technology, like, what was it, Deception Point? I don't remember, but that put me to sleep. I have yet to read the Lost Symbol though. I liked your review however, the memorable moment/quote was hilarious. "She must really need a book," haha. Thanks for the comment on my blog and for taking the time to pop over.

<3, Ashlie
Page Turners Gone Wild

Bast said...

I've been putting off reading this book ... not really sure why. I really like how you did this review -- giving the first sentence, a memorable moment (which was great!) and then your opinion. I guess, I need to move this up on my list.