Hello everyone! Welcome, or welcome back to my blog. Sometime ago, I had reviewed the bestselling book, The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown. Therefore today, I am going to be reviewing the third book in the Robert Langdon series: The Lost Symbol. I haven’t yet been able to read Angels and Demons, the first book in this series, but I promise I will review it as soon as I have a chance to read it. But for now, let’s get into this one:
About the Author:
Dan Brown is an American author, best known for his thriller novels including the Robert Langdon novels Angels and Demons (2000), The Da Vinci Code (2003), The Lost Symbol (2009), Inferno (2013) and Origin (2017). His novels are treasure hunts that usually take place over a period of 24 hours. They feature recurring themes of cryptography, art, and conspiracy theories. His books have been translated into 57 languages and, as of 2012, have sold over 200 million copies. Three of them, Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code, and Inferno, have been adapted into films. He has also written two standalone thriller, Deception Point, and Digital Fortress. He lives at New England with his wife.
The Lost Symbol:
The Lost Symbol is the third book in the Robert Langdon series, after Angels and Demons, and The Da Vinci Code. True to his style, the book begins with a mystery; a mysterious summon, rather. Once again, the adventure in this book is a race against time. Robert Langdon must complete the mission as soon as possible, or lose a very dear friend.
One fine afternoon, Robert Langdon received a call from Peter Solomon’s secretary. Peter Solomon was an extremely rich, prominent, mason and a philanthropist. Not only that, he also is Robert Langdon’s mentor, and very close friend. Peter Solomon was in a meeting and asked his secretary to call Langdon. Apparently, there is a seminar in the Rotunda, in the Capitol Building, Washington DC. Peter Solomon wants Langdon give a lecture there. He also wants Langdon to carry with him, a small parcel which Solomon had given him years ago. And, which Langdon was under strict orders not to open.
The seminar will begin at 6:00 pm, the same evening. A private jet has also been sent to transport Langdon from his home near Harvard, to Washington DC. Langdon had no option, but to agree, as Peter Solomon was one person whom he couldn’t turn down.
When he reached the Capitol Building, he found out that there was no seminar, but something sinister that awaited him. He had just entered the Rotunda, when someone screamed. As Langdon turned towards the scream, he saw something in the center of the hall. As he came closer, he got a nasty shock. It was a real human hand, freshly severed, driven through a stake. The first finger of it pointed upward, while the other were clenched tightly. On loosening them, he saw that all the five fingers had a small tattoo, each different. People at first thought that it was a practical joke, but the expert symbologist realised that it was no joke. It was a symbolic letter, and invitation, into an ancient world of hidden wisdom. And, he must accept it if he wishes to save Peter Solomon minus one hand.
Langdon later teams up with Peter Solomon’s sister, Katherine, in order to save him. And to solve the mystery, he must also protect the contents of the box. On this journey, they are not only running from the police, but are also fugitives from the CIA. They must solve an age-old mystery and find a lost symbol. Moreover, dear friend’s life is at stake, and so is the future of the world’s oldest democracy.
The story of The Lost Symbol itself is very interesting and original. However, I find it rather long. Especially the middle part of the book is monotonous and slow. The end, however, is very fast-paced, and heart-stopping. A lot of the stuff in the book seems a little too out of this world. Now, I know that all of Dan Brown’s books are out of this world, but this one seems a little unnecessarily gruesome. I will not reveal why, but you will realise it when you read it. Given all of that, though, I would recommend you to read The Lost Symbol only if you have already read the first wo and want to complete the whole series, or are a huge Dan Brown fan.
Outro:
So, that’s it for today, guys! I hope you liked today’s review. The review for the fourth and the last book in this series will be coming soon. If you did not, somehow, liked today’s review, then don’t worry, and still stay tuned. Who knows? you might like the next one. Also, please like, and subscribe. This blog now also live on Facebook, and you could follow it there, too. Thank you, and Goodbye!