The Lost Symbol

By: Dan Brown

Narrated by: Paul Michael

#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)

Best one yet

Probably the best book I’ve listened on audible so far. I hope Inferno will be as good.

Better than other Langdon books

As long as you take Dan Brown at face value - you will enjoy this book. Too many times, Brown gets criticized for his writing - whether it's historical inaccuracies or similar plot lines or political/religious incorrectness. I think sometimes people forget that he writes FICTION for ENTERTAINMENT purposes. If you keep that in mind, and can suspend your disbelief of certain plot manipulations and the like, this book is highly entertaining. It was fast paced, and I always like that his novels happen in "real time" with the reader being able to see the perspectives of various characters about the exact same event. I don't think this one was as predictable as his other Langdon books, although it does follow the same pattern. I was a bit disappointed with the ending, but the rest of the book made it a worthwhile listen.

Dan Brown delivers again!

If you could sum up The Lost Symbol in three words, what would they be?

If I could sum up any novel in three words, I would put a lot of authors out of business. I could, however, describe my reaction in three words : riveting action thriller.

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

There were so many, but if I had to choose one it would be when Robert Langdon was placed in the coffin and it began filling with liquid. I would spoil the story if I said more, but as in real life, our hero's don't always have Houdini's escape skills.

Which character – as performed by Paul Michael – was your favorite?

Robert Langdon was of course my favorite character. He is the Sherlock Holmes of symbolism, and as always his brain rather than his braun gets him out of his predicaments.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did not have any extreme reaction to this book other than pure enjoyment. There were moments of excitement, wonder, sadness, happiness, ect. Just as in real life, no one emotion dominated the entire book.

Any additional comments?

I have enjoyed all three of Dan Brown's Robert Langdon books. While I tell myself I will check out some of the information presented in these books, I have yet to do so. Maybe it is better for the story that I don't. Just the possibility of them being true enhances the story and makes me look forward to the next Robert Langdon adventure.

Awesome

Robert Langdon is in it again. He manages to always become embroiled in end of the world activities. I loved the mythology of the novel and Dan Brown delivers again with the Lost Symbol. I enjoyed the novel and would recommend it to everyone. What Angels & Demons did for the Catholic mythology, The Lost Symbol does for the Masons. It certainly piqued my interest into the history of free masonery. And I wonder, do all the "facts" in Brown's world really exist. I have not taken the time to do research but it is something I do want to make time to do. Read the novel, or listen to it, you will not be disappointed.

Best by Brown so far, but...

Brown has an tendency to seem uninspired, like he is writing a cooking recipe, not a suspens novel. I actually liked the first two movies much better than the books.

Other mystery writers has a tendency to include tedious descriptions of the heros personal life, mostly long descriptions of their shortcomings. I think it is fantastic how Brown throws the reader straight into the story, but sometimes I feel like I would like to know a bit more about Robert Langdon. A more evident problem is that the stories are built around the same dramatic skeleton, which is not that evident in the movies.

The movies are also relatively free from the half chewed sexual tension that Brown tries to charge his stories with.

But, it was nice listening to it. Well read.

Disapointed

The same story as previous Dan Brown books just a new location. Disapointed after such a long wait since last book. It seemed to be twice as long to tell this story. I listen in the car with a one way 64 mile drive everyday. Many days I listened to Sport Talk radio on the way home rather than listen to this book. I did stick it out and finish.

Well worth my time...entertaining.

Having read all of the previous reviews, I wonder what some of them were expecting from this book. With looking at the description and some of the critical reviews, along with knowing Mr. Brown's previous works, I found it engaging and entertaining. Just as I had hoped. As someone who has seen a lot of the world, retired military, and 'common' American, I found this book to be more enjoyable than 'code', although it will not be for everyone. Before you buy, check out the description, maybe the book's website and decide for yourself. I did not give it a 5 star simply because it is not without flaw. Definitely fulfilled my need for mental escape.

The Lost Symbol Was an Average Book

The book was good at parts, especially towards the middle, but honestly the end was rather verbose and uneventful - not the best fom Dan Brown, but he did set the bar pretty high with the first two in this series.

formulaic

The classic Dan Brown formula. Langdon is called on to help some shadow entity and is assisted by female scientist. Creepy bad guy in the shadows. An exiting and entertaining thriller if you don't over think it.

Pretty Good

I liked this book until the end when it got a bit hard to believe and a bit preachy but all in all it was fun to listen and the narrator was good. Lots of fun facts about the capitol and the Masons too.