Leonardo Duenas-osorio's Reviews > The Lost Symbol
The Lost Symbol (Robert Langdon, #3)
by Dan Brown
by Dan Brown
This is a fast paced entertaining book. As expected, there is nothing too literary to find in the narrative of the book---and this should be a realistic expectation of the readers. Instead, the book has abundant thrilling moments within a contemporary context that uses many realistic elements. The story and its connections to symbols, national security, Freemasons, and secrets in Washington D.C. make the reading interesting and relatable to real life.
Regarding the climax of the story, I must admit that its peak is reached a bit prematurely, relative to other books by Brown, and then the remaining text towards the end is too slow and much less interesting. In addition, the characters overemphasize too much their thoughts and reflections about the particular scenes where they are involved all throughout the book. This makes the reader feel that some concepts are too repetitive or unnecessarily clarified. Despite these weaknesses, I recommend the book to anyone who wants to have an enjoyable occasion within a short period of time.
I personally liked the characters of Prof. Langdon and scientist Katherine Solomon. Their rational and systematic approach is unique to deal with the unusual situation in which they are immersed. The connections of the story to historical accounts, including links to Isaac Newton, also reinforce the interesting blend of fiction and facts that Brown brings to enrich his narrative. The message of “knowledge is power” comes across clearly in multiple situations, and the reader feels it is applicable to real situations. Finally, the book creates in the reader an urgency to read or re-read the bible and to interpret it considering a multitude of perspectives.
Regarding the climax of the story, I must admit that its peak is reached a bit prematurely, relative to other books by Brown, and then the remaining text towards the end is too slow and much less interesting. In addition, the characters overemphasize too much their thoughts and reflections about the particular scenes where they are involved all throughout the book. This makes the reader feel that some concepts are too repetitive or unnecessarily clarified. Despite these weaknesses, I recommend the book to anyone who wants to have an enjoyable occasion within a short period of time.
I personally liked the characters of Prof. Langdon and scientist Katherine Solomon. Their rational and systematic approach is unique to deal with the unusual situation in which they are immersed. The connections of the story to historical accounts, including links to Isaac Newton, also reinforce the interesting blend of fiction and facts that Brown brings to enrich his narrative. The message of “knowledge is power” comes across clearly in multiple situations, and the reader feels it is applicable to real situations. Finally, the book creates in the reader an urgency to read or re-read the bible and to interpret it considering a multitude of perspectives.
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Thanks for the review, Leo! I think your review captures your dual experience with the book: you were so absorbed that you would bring it out to dinner with us. But on the other hand, it seemed a little cheesy and you weren't so into the drawn out ending.
You didn't mention the ridiculously short chapters! "Cassy, I will finish a chapter before I go to sleep." I look over and the chapter is just two pages!
Alright, there are also plenty of half-page chapters that I did not mention to you... I think Brown's style to increase the tension and desire on the readers to continue is a combination of story line and rapid twists of events across scenes that run parallel in time. His previous books also include short chapters to accommodate the twists in the story, but I admit that this last book seems to have a higher number of very short ones. Too many short chapters is not good.

