Has anyone read Lost Symbol, Dan Brown's new book? (character, top, story)

[Sunnydee]

I just started this book and was wondering if anyone's read it yet and is willing to offer their opinion of it?

[sgresident]

i am reading currently,but not that far into the book. It is a long one..500 pages.

[Sunnydee]

Yeah, I just got it from the library and fear I won't finish it in time.

[TeaJay]

I read the first chapter (which is technically a prologue) and it's grabbed me. Though my dad, who's nearly finished, didn't love it. We both share the opinion that Angels and Demons was better than DaVinci and he said both are better than this one. But again, that's his opinion- sometimes he and I are totally on the same page and sometimes he loves something that I hate, etc. I have high hopes for this one.

[Sunnydee]

I'm on page 421 and really have enjoyed it so far.

[PA2UK]

500 pages is long? Wasn't Da Vinci Code over 600? I guess I've read too many 700-1000 paged books to think 500 is long.

I really enjoyed it though, finished it in about 4-5 days. Of course I don't take everything in Brown's books as 100% fact (even though he claims it is) but the concepts he presents always introduce me to new ideas I hadn't come across before. And this one has been the most interesting to me so far. Slight spoiler here but the concept of Intention reminds me a bit of "Dust" in His Dark Materials - science combined with spirituality - it's the closest thing to how I feel about spirituality so both have really resonated with me. Lost Symbol is now my favorite Dan Brown book.

Biggest let down: it still follows Brown's plotline format of "academic expert and attractive single woman (whose "father figure" character is somehow involved, often a leader in a "secret" society) have to work together to unravel a huge secret while running for their lives." It's a pattern that obviously works but it's become so predictable and is such an easy thing for critics to use against him. I wish Brown would break out of this pattern and show he can write a story with a different plotline format.

[msina]

I'm reading it now. I'm enjoying the symbolism in D.C that Brown points out.

[SGRLPS]

Call me a party pooper, but I wasn't a huge fan. It was basically the DaVinci Code in Washington, D.C. The end way way to preachy for my liking. It was a nice story though, and an easy read, but I didn't walk away with the same feeling that I have from his other books. I personally like the one with the CERN cryptologist, or whatever she was, the best. I can't remember the entire book, but it was my favorite. Second woould be Angels and Demons then the DaVinci code.

[Franurse1]

I read the book in 12 hours on my day off. Could not put it down. My grandfather was a 33rd degree Mason and a member of the Scottish Rite and so I was very interested in the story. When he visited Washington D.C. in 1957 with my grandmother he insisted on climbing to the top of the Washington Monument even though he walked with a cane. Now I understand why.

[PA2UK]

Originally Posted by SGRLPS

It was basically the DaVinci Code in Washington, D.C.

And DaVinci Code was basically Angels and Demons in France and the UK. Like I say, all his books follow the same pattern, it's his biggest downfall.