By Maia Ferdman
Dan Brown, the best-selling historical fiction author with a knack for science and suspense, recently published the newest edition of his series starring the lovably nerdy Professor Robert Langdon. The Lost Symbol was eagerly awaited by dedicated fans until the date of its release, Sept. 15. However, they were doomed to be disappointed.
The novel follows Langdon as he runs around Washington D.C. in search of his friend and mentor, Peter Solomon, who has been captured by a crazed, demonic man in search of an age old secret of the legendary Masonic Order. Assisted by both the CIA and a mythological stone pyramid, Langdon faces a variety of obstacles as he attempts to decode Masonic secrets with the dual goals of finding Solomon and averting a national crisis.
However, this anticlimactic crisis largely fails to add the shock value necessary to make up for the redundant amounts of tedious historical knowledge.
Those who have read Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code are familiar with Brown’s fast paced format and his detailed historical incorporation. The Lost Symbol is filled with just that, but Brown’s almost completely irrelevant rants about the Freemason society grow frustrating as Brown repeats himself, while refusing to reveal anything that would push the plot forward.
While some elements of the book can be riveting, the promise of a shocking finale is regrettably spoiled with predictability and the lack of a concise and conclusive ending. Brown’s previous novels have preempted his enormous success. However, this success has inflated fans’ expectations to such an extent that it is impossible not to feel let down.
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I concur. Excellent analysis Maia, you’ve covered all the bases.