The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
'The DaVinci Code' was a brilliant work, one-of-a-kind story (at least as far as I know), and I absolutely loved it. And I think that is what makes it difficult to match the expectations for any subsequent works.
'The Lost Symbol' takes its premise from the theological beliefs of the founding fathers of the capital of the USA, Washington. And other than this, it is painfully similar to 'The DaVinci code'. A society of powerful men, believing in a philosophy that is a mystery, a blasphemy to the public in general, protects an ancient secret, the trail to which is hidden in many different objects and monuments across the city. The perplexing code that hides the secret, ultimately just leads to the next piece in the puzzle. And there are those moments of absolute bewilderment before that 'eureka' moment.
In itself, its not a bad book - it is an interesting story, and a gripping thriller (no suspense however, IMHO). Unfortunately though, when you think of 'The DaVinci Code', it fades in comparison. It is too similar in theme and style, but unnecessarily long and complex, with a redundant sub-story, and rather repetitive - particularly frustrating are those incidents of sudden enlightenment on the "true meaning of a code".
So, if you are looking for another 'DaVinci Code', you are bound to be disappointed. But if are into thrillers and have a few hours to kill [or if, by some unimaginable coincidence, have not read 'DaVinci Code', but stumbled upon 'The Lost Symbol'], you can go for it.
'The DaVinci Code' was a brilliant work, one-of-a-kind story (at least as far as I know), and I absolutely loved it. And I think that is what makes it difficult to match the expectations for any subsequent works.
'The Lost Symbol' takes its premise from the theological beliefs of the founding fathers of the capital of the USA, Washington. And other than this, it is painfully similar to 'The DaVinci code'. A society of powerful men, believing in a philosophy that is a mystery, a blasphemy to the public in general, protects an ancient secret, the trail to which is hidden in many different objects and monuments across the city. The perplexing code that hides the secret, ultimately just leads to the next piece in the puzzle. And there are those moments of absolute bewilderment before that 'eureka' moment.
In itself, its not a bad book - it is an interesting story, and a gripping thriller (no suspense however, IMHO). Unfortunately though, when you think of 'The DaVinci Code', it fades in comparison. It is too similar in theme and style, but unnecessarily long and complex, with a redundant sub-story, and rather repetitive - particularly frustrating are those incidents of sudden enlightenment on the "true meaning of a code".
So, if you are looking for another 'DaVinci Code', you are bound to be disappointed. But if are into thrillers and have a few hours to kill [or if, by some unimaginable coincidence, have not read 'DaVinci Code', but stumbled upon 'The Lost Symbol'], you can go for it.
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