The Lost Symbol

Quite liked his previous books. This one is dull, slow and tedious. Was glad when it was over.

Gavin, WORTHING, United Kingdom

12/10/2009

a quirky professor, a beautiful yet intelligent woman, a kidnap, a car chase , a helicopter chase and the revealing of a mundane secret society. have we not read all this before. The plot is thin and full of holes. The ending seems to have been tagged on and the whole thing padded out with pointless narrative. Why any book needs so many chapters is beyond comprehension. But apart from that it is a fun piece of trashy literature that once over is easily forgotten.

philthetree, United Kingdom

29/09/2009

Really enjoyed it. Lost a star because of points below (no spoilers)... 1. If your female companion declares she has decyphered an element of the puzzle, you must ask 'You understand??' incredulously as though you had always assumed her an idiot. 2. The nervous wreck Langdon will meet any mild revelation during the proceedings with such actions as staggering, knees giving way, jumping backwards or being utterly shocked. 3. There are two ways you can learn the secrets of the ages. You can either graft your way up the 33 degrees of the Masonic order over a lifetime or, alternatively, you can hand it on a platter to your brattish, spoilt, greedy and indiscreet son. 4. After you have finished your story, reserve an extra 2 hours at the end of the book to preach at the listener. 5. Make your puzzles decypherable only to the sagely initated, oh, and everyone else who has basic knowledge of art, history and architecture.

Peter, Beulah, United Kingdom

30/09/2009

Whilst the plot line was quite good, some of the finer detail about the Masons was like listening to a mad professor who doesn't know when to stop rambling on. Background information can really add to a novel but is overdone in this book. I also agree with another reviewer that the storyline is rather similar to the Da Vinci Code and the main villain is verging on science fiction.

Philip, United Kingdom

04/01/2010

Whether what Dan Brown writes includes truth or untruth, it is utterly believeable and plausable, this book was fantastic. I couldn't put it down and feel lost now I've finished it. The twist at the end was completely unexpected. Just as good as The Davinci Code and Angels and Demons, if not better. Well worth the purchase.

Kate, United Kingdom

22/01/2010

My first Audible book and what a fantastic intro. I was totally gripped and could not get enough.

Gary, United Kingdom

25/01/2010

Enjoyed the main body of the tale, very much Dan Brown. I found the last hour of the book pointless, I wondered who Mr Brown was trying to convince, so only 4 stars from me, good but not brilliant.

Peter, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

27/01/2010

I cannot believe I wasted so many hours of my life listening to this book!! Luckily I was walking the dogs at the time so not a total waste. What started as quite an exciting story was rapidly bogged down in way too much detail. It felt as if Dan Brown was including every piece of research he had ever done, rather than applying any filter as to what was interesting or necessary to the plot. The last 3 hours was a complete waste of time, some parts didn't even make sense. Do not buy this however much you may have enjoyed his previous books.

Jane, United Kingdom

31/01/2010

Not as good as the other two Langdon books. I think Dan Brown's been watching the National Treasure movies. Not very original and a bit long winded but enough tension & interesting bits to keep you going to the end.

Andre, New Deer, United Kingdom

28/09/2009

Sadly this one did not grip me as all his other books have done. It was a struggle to get to the end of the first half, I found the pace picked up somewhat then. I felt a bit cheated though, as I guessed some of the twists in the plot! I've never done that before in a Dan Brown, the story lines have always tripped me up. In my opinion not in the same league as Deception Point, but an entertaining read.

Elaine, United Kingdom

29/09/2009

We listened to this and enjoyed the first 10 hours, but found the constant need to lecture us about everything a bit heavy going. The last hour and a half seemed a bit pointless. One book we should have bought abridged. Disappointing.

Dorothy, Doncaster, United Kingdom

02/10/2009

I thoroughly enjoyed this. It's entertainment at it's best, a fast paced thriller with mystery and an interesting subject matter!!!! Nobody ever claimed Dan Brown was a literary genius but he does write an exciting story! Definitely recommended!

Pamela, London, United Kingdom

05/10/2009

All the typical elements of a Brown work are there. Formulaic, but good all the same.

Paul, Bath, United Kingdom

06/10/2009

Truly a amazing and breathtaking book.

alongthispath, United Kingdom

06/10/2009

I'm not finished the book yet. I'm enjoying it but for the narration of the female CIA character. I understand she has had throat cancer but the voice for her is just so annoying!

David, United Kingdom

06/10/2009

I was disappointed with this one. It felt like a movie script where he had already set out the locations etc Also I got very fed up with the constant end of chapter cliff-hangers to try to keep me interested. In the end I simply couldnt finish it. This author has a reputation which is way in excess of his abilities. Very sad.

Nick, Hungerford, United Kingdom

07/10/2009

A more implausible storyline I find hard to imagine. The two great ‘reveals’ in the plot could be spotted well before half way in. Dan Brown as reached an all time low, bettering ‘Angels & Demons’ in creating unbelievable situations for equally unbelievable characters. Research into the subject is undoubtedly his strength, but I didn’t engage with the story.

Philip, Waterlooville, United Kingdom

07/10/2009

I really felt let down by this book. I'd read some reviews praising it and noting that it couldn't be put down etc. That was true, I did get through the book very quickly. My reason for getting through it so fast were not that I was captivated by the story, far from it, I just wanted to get the book finished. I found the story very similar, if not an exact clone set in a different city to other books by this author. The outcome was going to have to have a twist to make it worth getting to, the twist was there but very poorly constructed. Altogether this is not a book I would recommend, Dan Brown has done some far better stories.

Shaun, Worcester Park, United Kingdom

10/10/2009

Dan Brown has done it again. Some people may scoff at his writing and get all upset because he wrote about the Roman Catholic church and the supposed links to various sects and groups through the ages BUT this is FICTION. So relax, sit back and listen to the next saga of Robert Langdon... Is it as good as The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons.... Yes probably but do not get into detailed battle about the real world and this fictional story.

biggriff, Amesbury, United Kingdom

14/10/2009

Dan Brown at the height of his powers, a gripping twisting new story with the depth of research and popular references that we're acustomed to. I loved it.

tticom, United Kingdom

20/10/2009

I first read Angels and Demons - was an exciting read. Followed this with the Da Vinci code, which despite the hype was pretty average in comparison. 'The Lost Symbol' essentially is a re-write of the Da Vinci code with locations and names changed but the characters and the plot are the same. Replace demonic mad monk with demonic mad tattooed free mason etc etc. As with the Da Vinci code the 'prize' in the end is such an amazing anti climax and for anyone with the slightest understanding of the architecture of Washington DC you will have guessed within 15 minutes which significant landmark holds the 'prize'. I think I might have beaten Robert Langdon to it by a country mile. Amazing continuity flaws and implausible story lines. So as to avoid not spoiling I won't detail these here. Tedious.

c11ffb, manchester, United Kingdom

26/10/2009

I was sceptical about downloading this book, as I didn't want to be seen to be buying into the Dan Brown 'hype'. However, having heard about some of his previous books, through friends, in the news, etc I decided to give it a go. I must say I wasn't disappointed. The book hooks you from the start and although some of the final twists became obvious to me fairly early on in the plot, it was an engrossing listen that had me longing to get back into my car for the journey too and from work, where I had 2 hours undisturbed listening each day. I was sorry when it came to an end.

Penny, Syresham, United Kingdom

31/10/2009

This book has surpassed the Davinci Code ... so many questions answered ... more questions, however I feel they are tenable. Although this is fiction, you realy have to search your soul. 'n you know what, he points you in the right direction. Enjoy!

Rosemary, United Kingdom

03/11/2009

same old same old. regurgitated plot, boring characters. huge disappointment. all dan brown is doing is trying to give a history lesson. da vince code was good, this is just a repeat in a different location and the 'twist' was predictable. i should be allowed to get my money back. Pity.

Rajinder, United Kingdom

04/11/2009

Truly apalling. Absolute garbage. If your IQ is in double digits, I strongly suggest that you ignore this book. My Son was quite right.

Julian, United Kingdom

06/02/2010

Let's face it you'll know if you're going to like this book just by your views on The Da Vinci Code et al. I'll leave the formulaic plot, 2 dimensional characters (exactly the same people as in his other books just with different names it seems) and unimaginative writing well alone because, at the end of the day, Dan Brown can write a cracking yarn. Yes, this book has major faults but it still keeps you coming back for more. Any excuse for a smug sounding Langdon to wax lyrical about hidden societies and the masses ignorance to "what's real". The narration is nothing special, but then it doesn't really need to be. He's not got a lot to work with to be fair. 4 star because, for all it's faults, I still really enjoyed it.

vimesy, United Kingdom

12/11/2009

Those who are fans of Dan Brown's formula will not be disappointed. Situated in and around the US capitol, Langdon in this adventure is foil to his more knowledgable allies as we are treated to the descriptions of new technology and ancient myths needed to unravel the mystery of the "Lost Symbol" before catastrohy strikes. Fast paced, full of satisfying twists and turns and marvelous suspense.

Alison, United Kingdom

05/12/2009

What a disappointment. I've so looked forward to this book and it's so rubbish. So much of it was predictable I was left thinking "Come on Professor Langdon, keep up!"

Elaine, Solihull, United Kingdom

25/09/2009

Thoroughly enjoyed. I find Langdons scepticism a little unreal considering what he's been through in the previous books. Otherwise, very thought provoking and it inspires me to learn more, I actually want to read the bible now.

oreganji, United Kingdom

03/10/2009

Unfortunately it seems that Dan Brown doesn't know when to quit writing the series he started with Da Vinci Code, which was good, followed with Angels and Demons which was already less enjoyable, and now The Lost Symbol which should have been left lost. As well as for the series of the "Langdon" books, he should know when to quit writing the book he's working on. Repetition towards the end of the Lost Symbol and the unbelievable capability of maimed, half dead and exhausted people happily wheeling around was , mildly put, annoying. First time in my quite long reading 'career' I put the book down a few pages before the end because I couldn't be bothered to finish it. So..Mr. Brown, please leave poor traumatized Langdon to enjoy peaceful life and start to write about something- or someone else.

Tuija, Israel

21/10/2009

Standard Dan Brown - secrets, codes and a nasty man chasing people with a greater spirtual goal. All in all I could not recommend it but if you like Dan brown then you'll like this. I really enjoyed The Da Vinci Code but found the fact that this is all set in Washington D.C. rather dull - it feels like it's been written with the movie in mind

Nico, United Kingdom

30/12/2009

I´M NOT SATISFIED: THE NARRATOR´S VOICE IS NOT CLEAR BECAUSE OF THE ECHO: IS HE SPEAKING FROM A CAVE? i´M LEARNING ENGLISH AND THIS AUDIOBOOK ISN´T USEFUL.

Cortes, Spain

28/12/2009

Filled with the usual Dan Brown ingredients this book follows the expected path, however as the story move along the tedium levels increase untill once the 'main' story was over I couldn't wait for the book to finish.

Tony, Beverley, United Kingdom

17/12/2009

Compared to the other three of his I've read/listened to this was pants. Get a grip Mr Brown!

clintreno, United Kingdom

03/12/2009

The Lost Symbol had me expecting the same intensity of the other Dan Brown thrillers but sadly I was very disappointed. I found the book dull, unmoving and tedious; although I did finish it. All in all disappointing after such a long wait.

Joanne, Rossendale, United Kingdom

01/11/2009

I was really excited to get this book and could not wait to walk the dog so that I could begin to listen. The first 30 chapters had me gripped and I found my dog walks getting longer as I continued to listen. Reaching Part two of the download, I had begun to feel bored... and so lost the will! The narration begins to grate, 'What in the world?' being the most annoying phrase to keep repeating! I forced myself to finish the book really just to see if the plot become less 'formulaic'. It didn't! This book does not live up to the hype.

Paul, United Kingdom

21/11/2009

This was my first Dan Brown and turned out to be everything I had expected. It’s a great yarn, sprinkled liberally with facts, but not very well written. It is not long before one gets used to the cliff-hanging chapter endings, often with the “oh my God!” phrase ringing out. The twists and turns are, unfortunately, rather transparent but it certainly does entertain one which is its raison d’être after all. There may be some who take it all too seriously, of course, but I imagine most, like me, will have enjoyed it but not listen to it again. The narrator does a fair job but his characterisations are rather two dimensional, I think. Should you buy it? Why not!

Nicholas, United Kingdom

30/11/2009