The Lost Symbol

By: Dan Brown

Narrated by: Paul Michael

Length: 17 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 WORLDWIDE BESTSELLER • An intelligent, lightning-paced thriller set within the hidden chambers, tunnels, and temples of Washington, D.C., with surprises at every turn.

“Impossible to put down.... Another mind-blowing Robert Langdon story.” —The New York Times

Famed Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon answers an unexpected summons to appear at the U.S. Capitol Building. His plans are interrupted when a disturbing object—artfully encoded with five symbols—is discovered in the building. Langdon recognizes in the find an ancient invitation into a lost world of esoteric, potentially dangerous wisdom.

When his mentor Peter Solomon—a long-standing Mason and beloved philanthropist—is kidnapped, Langdon realizes that the only way to save Solomon is to accept the mystical invitation and plunge headlong into a clandestine world of Masonic secrets, hidden history, and one inconceivable truth... all under the watchful eye of Dan Brown's most terrifying villain to date.

©2009 Dan Brown (P)2009 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"[I]mpossible to put down....Mr. Brown was writing sensational visual scenarios long before his books became movie material. This time he again enlivens his story with amazing imagery....Thanks to him, picture postcards of the capital's most famous monuments will never be the same....In the end it is Mr. Brown's sweet optimism, even more than Langdon's sleuthing and explicating, that may amaze his readers most." ( The New York Times)
"Thrilling, entertaining....Robert Langdon goes for another roller-coaster ride - this time in a hunt for a Masonic treasure in Washington, D.C." ( Los Angeles Times)

Fascinating

Gives the reader a lot to think about and other texts to explore. Ultimately each if of us must decide what we believe.

the lost retread

I wish Brown's epilogues and endings didn't last so long after the climax. Because I've grown so used to his style and his character's knowledge, I no longer need the full explanation. This felt like a bit of a retread. lots of old symbolism. A lot of the same themes. I'm hoping for more next book.

Not the best Dan brown. Maybe the worst.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Ok. That said its still good. A page turner (figuratively). But not as many exciting twists. Too much stretching of old ideas from his previous books. Go read digital fortress if you haven't already. More original.

Would you recommend The Lost Symbol to your friends? Why or why not?

Meh. Fun summer read. Lots of better stuff out there. Read all his other stuff before this. Then go read patriot games.

Great Book!!!

Well written and narrated wonderfully. So far my favorite Dan Brown novel which has had a profound impact on my spirtual awareness and my belief in hope for mankind.

Entertaining but predictable

Great narration but I was able to figure out the twist half way into the story. it's no Da Vinci Code but still a good story.

Gripping!

I loved it! I'm not "literary genius"--I just like suspense & this was great! I never read The DaVinci Code but after this book I'm sure going to!

eh

not as good as the others in the series but worth buying still. if you want to continue the series buy it. if this is your first book skip it

Engaging, but feels inconsequential

Read very, very well. The story with its twists and turns were very good as well. However, things didn't feel like they had much impact when compared to the previous Langdon books.

Not my favorite

Nice tour of DC but the story just dragged and didn't deliver like others. Lack luster ending

Action Packed

If you liked Angels & Demons, you might appreciate this Dan Brown novel, which offers the same sort of labrynthine mystery and mayhem but on American soil.

Whether you buy into the symbology/beliefs ascribed to the Free Masons in this book, the puzzle that Brown places in the nation's capital city is nonetheless fascinating.