Robert Langdon is back again for his third adventure. In true Langdon style, he has been lured to Washington DC under false pretenses and becomes swept up in a race to save his close friends’ life while being pursued by the authorities. Sounds juicy and gripping eh? It was!
Although I knew exactly what I was getting, and the adventures are getting slightly formulaic, Dan Brown still delivered a gripping novel. Occasionally the plot felt a little obvious, but I was still intrigued by the puzzles and secrets Langdon uncovered in The Lost Symbol. A couple times I smiled at a good plot twist and for the most part it was an easy plot to follow, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In a gripping, fast-paced thriller, you want to be able to easily and quickly comprehend the plot. I finished the book in about four days (days with ample reading time).
I enjoyed learning about symbols and magic squares and a new form of science called Noetics (really real!). The Lost Symbol revolved around Freemasonry and the legends of a hidden knowledge located in Washington DC.
Robert Langdon’s close friend (and prominent Mason) has been kidnapped by a man who insists that Langdon decipher the clues that will lead him to “enlightenment”. The parallel storyline involves the Mason’s sister, who is conducting her research of Noetic Sciences at the Smithsonian Centre. The man who kidnapped her brother also wants to destroy her controversial research.
Visit the Wikipedia page for The Lost Symbol for links and information about all the symbols and secrets! (Note: Although I enjoyed it, this is my least favourite of the Langdon books so far)
Note: Pictured is the UK cover as I borrowed this book from my boyfriend’s dad while I was staying in England… however, the link is to the publisher’s Canadian site.
January 13, 2010 at 7:56 pm
I don’t think we’ve read that one yet. Hrm….off to ask the hubby.
January 14, 2010 at 7:12 am
I have to be in the mood, but if I am, Mr. Brown’s books move right along for me and give me some novelties to research along the way. Set in DC, my college town? Only adds to the interest.