The Lost Symbol

by Dan Brown
The Lost Symbol cover
Good Books rating 3.0
Thriller/Suspense
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Paperback • £9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 2470
  • Added: 2025-10-14
  • Updated: 2025-10-14
  • ISBN: 9781409091486
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2009-09-15
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Robert Langdon, the renowned symbologist from Harvard, finds himself in the middle of a high-stakes mystery when he arrives at the Capitol Building in Washington DC. What he believes is a simple lecture turns into a harrowing adventure after a gruesome discovery and the kidnapping of his mentor, Peter Solomon. Langdon must decipher cryptic clues and navigate a shadowy world of Masonic secrets to save his friend's life. As he delves deeper, he uncovers never-before-seen revelations that challenge his understanding of history and reality. The Lost Symbol is a fast-paced thriller that blends historical intrigue with modern suspense. Dan Brown's signature style of weaving together fact and fiction creates a gripping narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The novel explores themes of hidden knowledge, ancient mysteries, and the power of symbols, all set against the backdrop of Washington DC's iconic landmarks.

Reviews
Elitist Book Reviews · Steven · 2009-11-23
negative 1.00

The writing is criticized for being sub-par, and the story is seen as contrived and cliché.

Steven is highly critical of The Lost Symbol, stating that the writing is below a 6th-grade level. They find the story contrived and filled with clichés, suggesting that the book should not have been published. Their overall opinion is quite negative, highlighting significant issues with the quality of the writing and the story's execution.

Quick quotes

    Dan Brown's THE LOST SYMBOL should never have been printed.

    The writing skill is sub-6th Grade level.

    His story is contrived and cliché.

The Guardian · 2009-09-19
mixed 3.50

The book shows significant improvement in editing and contains brilliantly executed elements, but it still falls short in some areas.

The reviewer notes that The Lost Symbol has been more carefully edited than Dan Brown's previous works, which is a positive step. They highlight some brilliantly executed parts, but also suggest that the book still has areas where it could improve. Overall, the reviewer acknowledges the book's strengths while recognizing its limitations.

Quick quotes

    Six years in the making, The Lost Symbol has plainly been copy-edited more vigilantly than his earlier efforts.

    There are some brilliantly executed elements.

    The book is not without its flaws, but it does show signs of growth.

Goodreads · 2009-09-15
positive 4.50

The book is praised for its intelligent and fast-paced storytelling, weaving together history and mystery effectively.

The reviewer describes The Lost Symbol as a brilliantly composed tapestry of history, icons, and codes. They appreciate the intelligent and lightning-paced nature of the thriller, which offers a compelling read. The book is seen as a successful blend of historical intrigue and mystery, making it an enjoyable experience for readers.

Quick quotes

    A brilliantly composed tapestry of veiled histories, arcane icons and enigmatic codes.

    An intelligent, lightning-paced thriller that offers a compelling read.

    The Lost Symbol is a successful blend of historical intrigue and mystery.

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