October 19, 2009

Reading "The Lost Symbol"


Dan Brown has done it again. "The Lost Symbol" is a fascinating story set in Washington, D.C. The idea that there are so many tunnels and hidden rooms and artifacts in and among the buildings in our nation's capital really intrigues me. These are things that have been in place for hundreds of years, put there by our forefathers.

One of the things I enjoy most about his books is the fact that they open my mind to new possibilities and ideas. There are so many ways to look at things if we just allow ourselves the leeway. We tend to become so sure that we are right about something when there are many other ways to view it that may lead to new revelations. I am a very black and white thinker so this type of  thought process is frustrating, but exhilarating as well.

I love puzzles. Sudoku, crosswords, jigsaws, even Wheel of Fortune! As each one is revealed, the puzzles of Masonic symbolism that run through this book are amazing to watch unfold with the plot. The whole thing takes place in one night, which is a lot of fast-paced action in 509 pages. He does an excellent job of weaving short chapters together, moving you back and forth between several settings, all happening at once.

Robert Langdon, the Harvard symbologist and professor we met in "The Da Vinci Code," is invited to D.C. to speak at the U.S. Capitol Building by Peter Solomon, his long-time friend and mentor. When he arrives, he receives a different kind of invitation in the form of a horrifying object, the first symbol to be decoded and understood.

I felt that the villain in this novel was such a sad, misguided person. He did horribly cruel things all the way through, but I just couldn't help feeling sorry for him. Which is so unlike me! I'm usually of the hang 'em high mentality when it comes to criminals and evil.

All in all, I thought "The Lost Symbol" was well done and very enjoyable!

7 comments:

Kelli said...

I'm currently sailing through the "Mitford" series, like I do every year or two. I tend to sit and read them with goofy smile on my face cuz they're such a fun read. See if your library has "At Home In Mitford" by Jan Karon - if you like it...nine more follow! (not a lot of laundry or dusting being done around here right now!)

jayaycee said...

I've heard of the Mitford books. Will definitely have to try them. I love a series that lasts a good long time!

Wow, you do laundry and dust? I thought that was just an urban myth. Our dust bunnies are bigger than our Yorkies and we've named them ... Harvey, leave Miles alone!!!

Kelli said...

With the western theme of our decor...we refer to them as "tumbleweeds". And when you decorate with horseshoes and old tools...the dustier they are, the better they look!

Sara said...

I can't wait to read another Dan Brown novel! I worked my way backward from "The DaVinci Code" in order to his first, "Digital Fortress." Just finished that one last week. Even though his first was fantastic, I can see how he has grown and perfected his craft with each new book.

My dust bunnies/tumbleweeds are mostly comprised of dog fur from Gryphon, our Golden Retriever/Border Collie. When I sweep, I show the dogs that they have a new little brother. Tee hee!

jayaycee said...

This was excellent, although there was some horrifying claustrophobic stuff in there that made me put the book down and walk around gulping air.

I've heard people knit with dog hair but wouldn't it smell like wet dog when you get caught in the rain? Gross!

Kelli said...

Think it would make the dogs behave better if we wore their fur? : )

jayaycee said...

I don't know ... who can we get to test this?