The Lost Symbol

By: Dan Brown

Narrated by: Paul Michael

Length: 17 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Lost Symbol, the stunning follow-up to The Da Vinci Code, is a masterstroke of storytelling - a deadly race through a real-world labyrinth of codes and unseen truths...all under the watchful eye of a terrifying villain. Set within the unseen tunnels and temples of Washington, D.C., The Lost Symbol accelerates through a startling landscape toward an unthinkable finale.

Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned to deliver an evening lecture in the U.S. Capitol. Within minutes of his arrival, the night takes a bizarre turn. A disturbing object - artfully encoded with five ancient symbols - is discovered in the Capitol Building. The object is an ancient invitation, meant to usher its recipient into a long-lost world of hidden esoteric wisdom. And when Langdon's mentor Peter Solomon - prominent Mason and philanthropist - is kidnapped, Langdon's only hope of saving Peter is to accept this invitation and follow wherever it leads him. Langdon finds himself plunged into a clandestine world of Masonic secrets, hidden history, and never-before-seen locations...all of which seem to be dragging him toward a single, inconceivable truth.

The Lost Symbol is exactly what Dan Brown's fans have been waiting for...his most thrilling novel yet.

©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)

In love with books again

I havent enjoyed a good book in quite a long time. I grabbed this just because it was on the Best Seller list. I had never read or watched the Davinci Code. I LOVED this book and I love Robert Langdon. I love the symbolism mixed with religion and Masonry. Since reading this book I went back and grabbed Angels n Demons which I enjoyed equally. Davinci Code and me have a date next weekend while on family vacation. I find the books very easy to read, without too much filler. I personally can live without the few times where Dan Brown crosses reality over to futuristic transportaion, fuels and weapons. I much prefer stories that teeter right on the edge of reality making me question the fine line of what is believeable. Overall though... a great book. PC

Excellent!

This was a great book. Very fast paced and full of interesting information. I thought that the first book would be a really hard book to top, but it really did a good job in following up the Di Vinci Code.

Just what should be expected from Dan Brown

This is just as entertaining as Dan Brown's other books. The scenario is typical of his writing.

He wrote The Da Vinci Code?

Boring, boring, boring. Needed some serious editing. If you like DC architecture and history, you might like this implausible story. As suggested, the bible could be more entertaining.

Disappointing

The book starts off well enough, but by the end of the first third of the book you will have already figured out who the bad-guy really is and how that came about. Many of the characters are portrayed as incredibly inept (or stupid). By the time you are two thirds through the book you wish it would just end. When it finally does end, it doesn't end but preaches (or drones) on and on and on. Contrived and predictable is a good description of the book.

Disappointing

I couldn't wait for this book to become available, and I downloaded it immediately. I loved "Angels and Demons" and "The Davinci Code". Unfortunately, this book really fell short. The facts are interesting, but I never felt myself "sitting on the edge of my seat". I still don't see the big "national security" issue. It was so overblown that it was a let down when it was revealed. Likewise, the big twist in the story was fairly obvious by the time I was half way through the book. I think it is worth the credit. It held my attention, but it doesn't even come close to his previous works.

Preachy

Loved his other books, but this one...not so much...Long on detail...repeated over and over and over again just in case you missed it the first 10 times. Cookie cutter action...same old formula with different names and places. Very preachy...is he trying to start a new religion?

Not his best

Although a big fan, I was not impressed with this read. Too much story for such a let down in the end.

Enjoyed

This novel is quite good. If readers attempt to go into this book with the idea it is a non-fiction work, the reader will be greatly disappointed.

Dan Brown is a good story teller. Paul Michael is a fantastic narrator.

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.