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Tuesday, October 6, 2009

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown (audio)

My Kewaunee Library Book Club left our meeting last month in a fever to read The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. The library had one copy of the book and one audio copy. As I am the only one who listens to audiobooks, I was allotted the audio book. As I was 150th in the hold list at the library for the actual book, I figured it was a good deal.

The Lost Symbol is the third adventure story staring the erstwhile Harvard symbologist, Robert Langdon. Langdon has been flown to Washington, D.C. for a last minute speech at the U.S. Capitol as a favor to his old friend, Peter Solomon. When he reaches the capitol, he discovers he has been brought to the capital under false pretences. He then quickly stumbles upon a horrific scene, and the hunt is on to discover a secret that the Masons have been keeping since the start of our nation.

SPOILER ALERT (for the rest of the review)
I thought the start of the novel was really slow. Four (out of fourteen) CDs into the book Robert Langdon was still walking around talking to the CIA director without any real action. Once the action started though, it was non-stop and it was hard to stop listening to the book as I really wanted to find out what happened. I thought the ending of the book was rather slow too after the climax.

I did like the nerdy details though in the slow start-up in the novel. I found the information to be intriguing. I thought the villain was rather cardboard one-dimensional. I had his secret figured out early on and I still do not really understand that character. It should be interesting to discuss at book club next week.

I thought the mystery itself was rather anti-climatic. It almost seemed like an appeasement for all of those who were shocked by The Da Vinci Code. What did others that read this book think?

I really liked Brown’s interesting take on how different religious practices can be misinterpreted by different people. It would be strange to walk into a Catholic church and see people drinking blood and the giant cross with a man being crucified on it if you had no clue about Christianity or Catholicism. That is why we should really learn about cultures and religions before making judgment.

My favorite quote: “Wow,” the homeless man thought, “She must really need a book” after seeing Katherine Solomon hitting the door of the Library of Congress trying to break her way in. I laughed out loud at this.

Overall it was an interesting and exciting book, but not as good as The Da Vinci Code.

11 comments:

  1. Glad to hear you liked it. I bought the book and was worried because of other reviews that it would be a waste. Have to get reax from my better half, when he reads it.

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  2. So many people raved about The Da Vinci Code in book form, but I ended up only seeing the movie. Was this audio book on 14 CDs? Wow!

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  3. The Da Vinci Code book was MUCH better than the movie. If you liked the movie - I highly recommend the book!

    Yep, 14 CDs of audiobook. I was afraid I wouldn't have it listened too in time to return it (could only check it out for two weeks), but luckily I had some driving for work and home so I got it done!

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  4. For some reason I'm not a big fan of Dan Brown. I bought DaVinci Code and couldnt finish it.
    This one does sound good for fans of DaVinci code and Angels and Demons. Great review!
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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  5. I read Angels and Demons and while I liked the read I found that I am not a big fan of Dan Brown. I glad to have read your review because I know now that I would not be able to sit through this book with a slow beginning and ending.
    Thanks for the review.

    BTW: Kudos to you that you were able to get your hands on the audiobook in a timely fashion. Amazing that the list is that long. Wow! Good thing you like audiobooks. *smile* I have been finding a time and purpose for audiobooks as of late. They really can be a good way to go with "reading" a story.

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  6. Thanks for the update. I also enjoyed reading the Da Vinci Code. Is Langdon still into studying Religious symbols in this book?

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  7. Great review. I have requested the audio version from the library, but there are some people before me.

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  8. I just bought this book and am planning on reading it son! I doubt any of his Langdon books will be as well done as the Da Vinci Code. I have an award for you

    http://gofita.blogspot.com/2009/10/dragons-loyalty-and-great-look-awards.html

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  9. This is one of the books I'm reading right now! On our travels to and from the U.P., it made the time go by faster (I think E just enjoys me reading to him--lol). I'm loving it so far and I will read your review when I'm done (I didn't want to spoil it). :-)

    I loved Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons. So far, I think this book is right on par with the series. Although, after reading other Dan Brown books and knowing his writing style, I feel like I know his tricks so that kind of makes Symbols a little predictable at times.

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  10. This one's on my list, but I'm not in any real hurry to get to it.

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  11. I didn't love The Lost Symbol. I'll admit, my favorite of the Robert Langdon books was Angels and Demons, but this book just didn't do it for me. One of the things that felt weird to me was that it seemed like Langdon was missing from the story for large chunks, and it felt like he wasn't even really the main character. I also felt the mystery was anti-climactic.

    I reviewed it here

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