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)

For Robert Langdon fans this is a disappointment

What did you like best about The Lost Symbol? What did you like least?

The story line was great, but the constant repetition of info became tedious. Here is Langdon being chased one again with the female lead in tow and each time they or anyone else solves another part of the "puzzle" they play 20 questions with whomever they are with. No one ever straight up says what they have found out, they make a game of it. Robert is under a severe deadline, national security is on the line, lives are in danger and he plays 20 questions with everyone, and everyone plays 20 questions with him. Langdon also says to the effect "I don't believe it." or "impossible" about 100 times throughout the book which makes him look like a extremely well educated idiot. Way too much backstory. The gruesome parts are too long and too gruesome. Saying all of this, it is still worth a credit, I mean, it is written by Dan Brown. We all know he can do better, and I most sincerely hope he does so n the future.

Would you be willing to try another book from Dan Brown? Why or why not?

Yes, because he has written great stories like the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Paul Michael?

Yes

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Maybe.

Read it in print (Liked it despite myself)

There is snobby part of me that really wanted to be above this "pop" literature and gimmicks. But I tore through this book and enjoyed every fast paces, whiz bang, gee whiz part of it. The pacing is better than "The Da Vinci Code" which I thought dragged in the end. I liked the science, DC landscape (I'm a native), puzzles, gimmicks, spectacular scenes, and plot twists. This will make a great movie (I could certain parts were written with a movie in mind - long exciting action bits).

However, try it in print form because he prints the puzzle cubes.

Amazing

I thought that Angels and Demons was good, until I listened to the Lost Symbol,and I changed my mind. Dan Brown keeps on surprising me with every book I listen to.
Brilliant

Excellent, pulls you in.

This was my first audiobook. At first I thought the reader was terrible and monotone but after a few chapters I really started to enjoy the experience and felt that the reader was amazing at playing all the different characters. Great story.

Narration...

is everything. the narrator for this title did not work well for me. the story was good and the concepts interesting but occasionally the explanation of ideas was a bit exhausting.

Lost Symbol

This is going to be a great movie! I work 12 hr shifts and got the unabridged version at 17 hrs long thinking why not, ive got time to kill. I found it tedious to get through the less interesting filler. If I were to do it again id go for the abridged version

Great story

Continues the great storyline of Robert Langdon. It gets a little slow at the end. There is almost too much resolution, but still a great story.

This book is DEEP

If you are interested in free masonry, religion, law of attraction / power of intention at all, this book is a must. Story and narration were phenomenal.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book

Any additional comments?

Plausible? Nah. Entertaining? Definitely. It was compelling and I didn't want to put it down.

love this book

Would you consider the audio edition of The Lost Symbol to be better than the print version?

I love both versions !!!!!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Lost Symbol?

When you finally learn what the lost symbols actually is and how hard people worked 2 protect it

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes the book itself was a x-mas gift 2 me from my mom and I couldn't put it down when I downloaded the book I read the book along w
ith listening 2 the audio

Any additional comments?

I just live Dan Browns books I hope they make a movie out of lost symbols and I really hope Dan Brown writes many more books with the Robert Langdon character I love him!!!!