Finally, I broke the sweet spell of Anna Karenina! Not counting the wonderful short read of Alice in Wonderland on my iPhone, I managed to finish a respectable book following Tolstoy: Dan Brown’s “The Lost Symbol”. Truth be told, I pre-ordered my copy last September (can you tell how I felt about The DaVinci Code, not to mention Angels & Demons?) and let it collect dust, waiting for inspiration to hit me (A Washington DC setting? Really? After Italy and France?), and I kept waiting. After seeing this book featured in every imaginable book store window everywhere during my recent travels (Montreal, Seattle, DC, Argentina, London, Hawaii, you-name-it), my curiosity got the best of me and two weeks ago, I cracked open this 509 page hard cover, determined not to stop til all lost symbols were found and clearly explained!
Reading is an evolution onto itself. The concept of appreciating a book used to be black and white for me, love it or hate it, read it or discard it immediately. When I did not like a book, it evoked heaps of frustration rather than casual indifference! In recent years, I have developed my palate more and it is wonderful to see all shades of color in between the black and white. There are books we love and authors we worship and then there are books we can hardly stand with insufferable plots and despicable writing and then there is everything in between. It pays to have a refined scale of gratitude for books especially when moving in between genres and across centuries!
“The Lost Symbol” did one thing well for me: It aroused my curiosity and interest around the ancient mysteries of this world, the lines where science and mysticism may intersect someday and shed light on all that remains unknown to man from the lost wisdom of the ages. The unimaginable secrets lost in the pages of history intrigue us all and this story draws us into that world and attempts to build our hope and imagination on finding these answers, be it in Washington DC or any another corner of the world, location is inconsequential to the large purpose which Brown pursues in his latest novel.
If you have not read the book, I was careful not to put any spoilers in this review. Up to you to read this now or later. Please choose wisely!
There is the inherent problem of reading a third Dan Brown book: Robert Langdon is yanked out of his swimming pool at Harvard yet again, lured into the city for doing a favor to a very rich and powerful friend who naturally belongs to a super secret society (in this case, the Freemasonry, a brotherhood protecting secrets of the sages) and who, not so naturally, is in a particular dilemma which only Langdon can resolve! I admit, it took me a while to take the plot seriously. The benefit of being as clueless as me in how the plots for mysteries and thrillers generally unveil is the constant surprise factor; whereas my smart mother-in-law would have seen the whole thing coming from the start, I was beside myself with the twists and turns in the story, this being quite obviously from my lack of reading enough thrillers or my strict diet when it comes to TV shows 
! Alas, Brown managed to reasonably entertain me on the plot level and in return, I forgive him for the over-dramatic scenes and the repetition of characters and sub-plots from his previous works (although this may just be the last time!)
Writing thrillers is not Dan Brown’s strength or his driving force. His main purpose is to awaken our inquisitive nature in those larger than life questions, the evolution of miracles into intelligence and science, man’s quest for knowledge, truth, freedom, answers, and the ever-burning question of after-life. Moreover, Brown touches on one very common but powerful message: that knowledge and information in the wrong hands can be irreparably destructive. The purpose of these fraternal societies (reciting Isaac Newton as belonging to them among other great scientists of our time) has been to protect those secrets from this potential peril. The ill-intentioned ones exist in society and so releasing that information to public would never be without great consequence. Whatever I may believe about the past or the present and human nature aside, that message resonated with me in this life and this reality.
Brown has his own approach to writing these series of novels. He gains reader credibility by starting with a series of facts (see disclaimer on the first page) and finally connects the dots, where they may or may not any exist. He does not fabricate as much as he draws conclusions and in the end, he always leaves the reader with choice of a final interpretation. His drama may have been a let down but his core message came across and that was enough for me.
Reading is the best pastime for an active mind! If you like to see the other book reviews, check the index of In Print.
The Lost Symbol plot then, while entertaining, became secondary for me and on completely unrelated notes to this plot, I have shared some of my favorite quotes from the book. The source of these quotes is Dan himself to my knowledge, but perhaps he may have borrowed or paraphrased them:
“Wide acceptance of an idea is not proof of its validity”
“One could argue that there exist certain questions that are best left unanswered.”
“The Ancient Mysteries have spawned many myths but that does not mean they themselves are fiction.”
“If our ancestors could see us today, surely they would think us gods.”
“There is a hidden world behind the one we all see. For all of us.”
“All great truths are simple.”
How does this compare to Brown’s previous work? Did I love this like I loved the Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons? No, definitely not, but that’s neither here nor there. Comparison is a brutal way of assessing something but alas, authors cannot seem to escape the disposition especially after a best-seller.
Brown takes more than his fair share of beating on 2400+ Amazon reviews so I will close with this inspiring note after watching his interview video on Amazon: I admire that Dan Brown wakes up at 4am every day and locks himself up in a small cottage void of communication to outside world and far away from all human contact, equipped only with a refrigerator and a computer for typing; there he slips into a trance where he can write, create, and produce for hours on end. It is the best example to Focused Intensity and self-discipline, all of which I try to constantly pursue in my own endeavors. It is important to genuinely like the people behind the work and like and respect I have in great volume for Dan Brown.
Share your Reads
What is everyone reading lately? And why? I feel compelled to return to the classics until I have exhausted myself or satiated my thirst, whichever comes first…..What about you?
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{ 30 brilliant comments, Care to add another? }
I am a Dan Brown addict and inhale his books (and the subsequent movies) at the first opportunity. What I like so much about his books is that my previous thinking about something is always challenged. This has the benefit of getting me to question my thinking on a broader scale, and this is always a good thing!
Jean, I know what you mean and lovely to meet another Dan Brown fan who uses the phrase “inhale his books”!! You are right, he challenges my thinking and he does that very well. He is a good author. I wonder if you have read The Lost Symbol yet?
Hi Farnoosh
“509 page hard cover” that is some book – you must really love your Dan Brown.
Last book I read…. all the Tolkien books – The Hobbit first then The Lord of the Rings (three books) then went on to The Silmarillion and finished with Unfinished Tales – or perhaps I should say didn’t finish with Unfinished Tales. LOL
All great stories with characters that really came to life.
Most people read The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings but to get a better understanding of the history before those books, read The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales.
Hi Keith, well, I loved Da Vinci Code and Angels&Demons so I expected great stuff….but 509 pages is nothing – you are a prolific reader I am sure of it and when you get started, it goes pretty fast. I love the suggestions, and no I never read The Lord of the Rings (but saw the movie sights in New Zealand in 2005! Does that count?
)!
Thanks for sharing those!
Hi Farnoosh.
No one makes reading look like the thing to do like you. Most people only think of taking pictures of things that seem “cool” when the real cool thing with very high value is reading or learning. Producers of movies might want to learn from how you present reading, because they currently fail at enlightening or activating the minds of audience members. From what we see in the theaters, it is clear that promoting knowledge is not the goal. I’d also gladly watch any movie showing what producers and governors and other big folks do and talk about at home.
I like that quote that you share that says “There is a hidden world behind the one we all see. For all of us.” I would agree with it. We see X and Y, but behind them is Z, and Z is the reason for X and Y.
I read part of this book about how the internet is changing our brains, and it was mentioning how it causes the brain to be more for short pieces, and much less likely to be able to handle War & Peace. On the other hand, you read wonderful and lengthy books, so you are making sure you have control over the internet and it doesn’t control you, so that is great.
Armen, reading is excellent exercise for the brain with enormous benefits but most of all, it is a journey of the mind into fantastic places. How can we not read more and watch less when it comes to consuming our entertainment and education? You know, aside from all your kindness, what you say about presenting reading, I have thought about how I want to make reading look cool and sexy and fun and hip and exciting and all that jazz – it’s not for the old or for the high school assignments. Reading is FUN and the rewards are great. Maybe I’ll get spotted in LA next time!
?
I am reading War & Peace in the winter. Do you want to come along for the ride? That internet brain study is up to something, you know….
Farnoosh,
Reading sure is fun at times. I saw War & Peace at the library and it is awkwardly huge. I will say there is a chance that I will join you in reading it. I can’t confirm that I will be up for reading it at that time, but I will leave the option there.
That book is huge“
So what if it’s huge? If it’s some of the BEST writing ever produced in this world, are you not itching with curiosity to read it???
I’ll let you know when I start, and give you at least a week’s notice to wrap your brain around it. Then off we go, no excuses. None! Glad to have you on board, Armen 
!!!
Hi ! Farnoosh,
I always enjoy reading your posts. What an amazing jump from the Russian classics to US post-modernism! It just opened up a whole ‘new’ world of exciting reading . So let us delve into ‘your’ reading of Brown.
It is of significant interest to read a somewhat less naive analysis, that goes beyond the rigid categories of ‘good’ and ‘bad’. Don’t you think that there is quite an excess of it in Brown, or is it just a honey trap for the popular-novel-seekers? I am sure you know that it doesn’t just come down to who the bad and who the good guy is. You definitely are a very talented, inquisitive and deep-digging reader, that seems to be capable of looking beyond the very facts in the plot and “connect the missing postmodern dots”. It’s dozing in you, as you mentioned , that there should be something else, clearly missing in between white and black.
Such a reappraisal of your naturally witty and scrutinizing view on this novel, can only make things look even better.
Michael, how observant and kind of you to analyze my review so accurately – I look way past the plot for exactly the reason you articulate here: the over-dramatization of who is who and what is what in the novel (that and I didn’t want to spoil it for anyone!
) Yes there is quite an excess of it in best-sellers which sends a sad message. Thank you so much for all the encouraging words here, and just for the record, I started Crime & Punishment on the plane ride recently so back to the classics I go…
Hey Farnoosh. It’s been sitting on my shelf for ages and I have still yet to read it. I loved The Davinci Code and Angels and Demons but as soon as I started reading it I lost interest, I’m not even sure why.
The last amazing book I read was Shantaram. If that’s one you haven’t read it truly comes highly recommended.
Hope you enjoy your vacation!
Hi Amit, I am back !!!! Yes, it sat on mine too as you read…..It’s no DaVinci Code and yet it holds its own in some aspects – I totally understand if you lost interest….Think of me, I came from Tolstoy to this! It was quite the switch but I want to exercise those muscles of appreciating different genres until I fine-tune my favorite. Thank you for the book recommendation. How did you know I like to read?
!
What the… Robert Langdon returns from The DaVinci Code? I didn’t know the characters his books were connected to each other. That’s pretty cool.
I like the part when you said that we shouldn’t compare books next to one another, but rather take it as its own world? I don’t know if I said that right. But I think you kind of get what I mean.
Thanks for this review. I need to start reading novels now, starting with Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass which is next to my arm right now. Hope you’re having a wonderful vacation wherever you are!
Hulbert, he is everywhere…..he is the leading character also in Angels&Demons so you had better like him if you are into Dan Brown because Dan obviously loves this guy!! Comparing is just unfair. I am glad you agree. You said it perfectly fine.
The interview was so much fun and I see you have more up and I shall catch up with them all this week. I love to know what you think of Alice in Wonderland because I simply loved that bizarre little novel with those timeless wisdom nuggets!
Dan Brown books challenge me in the best of ways…my patience, my intellect, my belief. It’s just a treat to read a book of his even if it isn’t always easy.
Happy reading!!
You know, I think my belief and my intellect definitely – I don’t think I have lost patience with Brown yet but he goes into a lot of twists and turns. Lovely to meet another avid reader and thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Hi Farnoosh,
I love that you are enthusiastic about Dan Brown AND Tolstoy! It is great that you are finding quotes and are looking at them from an elevated consciousness. When we make it a habitual question to ask, “what does that have to do with me?” we can open our awareness to greater truths.
I take great delight in watching some of my favorite sitcoms like “Seinfeld.” People are often surprised a “philosopher” type is taken with such humor. When we ask, “what does this have to do with me?” the pearls of wisdom reveal themselves.
And, by the way, I am rereading some Vernon Howard.
Rob, I am exercising my muscles of gratitude for many different genres until I find the one that I am meant to be with (So far, Tolstoy is ahead with a good few points!!) I am a big fan of your phrases and my fave from this comment is “elevated consciousness” – thank you for giving such better words and meaning to what I meant to say……”Seinfeld” and philosophy, that I don’t know about – although I know some family members might dispute! And I know not a Vernon Howard but I shall look him up. Thank you for being here, Rob, my friend!
Farnoosh: Thanks for the review. I really thought this was a good one. I particularly enjoyed the quotes you shared and the one that struck me the most was that “All great truths are simple”. I have always loved coming across the insights that are often times subtle and require you to look carefully so you don’t miss them. This has always been a fascinating exercise to kind of look beyond the surface of things and your quotes really pointed me in that direction. Thanks again for sharing them. I hope you are having a great vacation.
Hi Sibly, from your blog, I know that you appreciate those quotes like I do; looking beyond the surface takes a lot of effort sometimes, but like all simple truths, it’s simple once we start doing it…..All thanks are mine for your readership here and your thoughts!
Farnoosh -
You have extremely eclectic tastes and I love that. I have read most of the Dan Brown books – for me, they are great holiday reading. You can fully switch off and just get dragged along with the twisting plot. Most of the mythology stuff I take with a pinch of salt, although it is great to have that “what if” concept lingering in the pages. Have you ever read Haruki Murakami – my favourite author and someone I find thoroughly compelling. I suspect he really falls into the black or white category though. Take care!
Phil
Hi Phil, you are right – Dan makes a good holiday reading and takes you along for a nice ride and I do wonder where to draw the line between fact and fiction – Did you know he never tells anyone what he reads? I wonder where his ideas are born. I have never read any of Murakami, but of course you have me all curious and even though I get heaps of book recommendations, I look every single one up (in time!) so thank you for taking the time to share!
I haven’t read this book but I did read your article and liked what you said about the reading process actually, “Reading is an evolution onto itself.” Well said Farnoosh.
It really is, Abubakar. What are some of your favorite reads? I am sure you read often……thank you for your comment. I don’t often get quoted
!
How much time do you devote to reading each day? With the books I’ve seen in some of your photos… you must have quite a bit.
Hardly enough – some days none, some days 30 minutes but the second I travel, I read read read – on the planes, on vacation, in cars, and I usually finish about 4 books on a long 10 day vacation (and still manage to do heaps in between – of course). It’s NOT that hard to read a book once we realize just how many extra minutes a day are spent on the mundane and some unnecessary tasks…..I read when I steep my tea now!
4 books in 10 days is still really good! You read enough, you might consider getting yourself an Amazon Kindle. I have one, and it’s my constant companion when I’m on the go… better than carrying the book itself, and it has a bigger screen than your iPhone. It might be a good investment!
Calvin, funny enough: I HAVE a brand new Amazon Kindle. I charged and registered it and have yet to touch it. Well, actually I did start reading on it but the joystick is hard to get used to and I keep touching the screen since I am so used to the iPhone. I have made myself read a book on it but the enthusiasm has waned. I don’t know why because I LOVE reading on the iPhone – I am going to give it a try since I am not taking books to Asia and Canada on my upcoming trip. Thanks for the suggestion!!!!
Unfortunately I did not like the ending of the book. I felt too much was made of nothing. The revelation in DaVinci was well worth the suspense he built. But this one fell flat on its face. I wish I had not picked it up!
Sachin, I wasn’t crazy about the ending either. Da Vinci was Brown’s best work, I have to admit – and this one was probably the last Dan Brown book I will have read. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!!!