29 September 2009
Angels & Demons... The Da Vinci Code... well known books from author Dan Brown. My introduction to his writing was The Da Vinci Code. I enjoyed it enough that I sought out a few of Dan Brown's other books. I found myself looking forward to The Lost Symbol and was teased by the hints that "the lost symbol" was somehow related to a sculpture in front of CIA's headquarters in Langley, VA. I won't ruin anything by telling you how much of a role that sculpture plays, but I WILL share my outlooks about the book's plot, characters and storyline in general.
Before I get any farther into this, allow me to make my only criticism: in my opinion, Dan Brown has taken the Stephen King track with detail and stretching out events. What do I mean? This entire 509 page book takes place over the course of one evening and one night. Although there are bits and pieces of "back story" interlaced throughout the book, the main action - the central plot and story - take place over the course of one evening and one night. Is anymore necessary? No. Dan Brown did a good job of telling his tale and being entertaining. I think he may have been able to do it with fewer words. Of course, if he was writing this story specifically to support a movie script then it makes perfect sense.
Next comment: If you are a Free Mason I'd love to hear (or read) your thoughts about this book. Dan Brown has addressed Free Masonry in some of his previous books and is certainly no stranger to Masonic lore. After reading this book I'd have to either congratulate Dan Brown on being exceptionally gifted at research or assume that he is himself a Free Mason. Then again, I have no way of knowing how much of what he wrote into The Lost Symbol is pure fiction or factual reality about Free Masons as they exist today. I guess I'll just have to continue my education, looking to others who are more squared away than I am for guidance.
The Lost Symbol finds Dan Brown's main character, Harvard Symbologist Robert Langdon (who I still picture as Tom Hanks) invited to Washington DC to give a presentation. Nothing goes as planned once he has arrived and he finds himself caught up in a plot carefully planned to the most finite detail by one man - a truly evil man to be sure - with the only goal one of transformation. The antagonist in the book is obviously capable of some truly sick and twisted actions motivated solely by his desire to gain knowledge; a secret; a symbol; a word.
As the story unfolds Langdon finds himself moving from one famous building to another, through underground tunnels, into and out of secret rooms, and in places many of us have been in the course of touring our nation's capital. There are interesting historical tidbits filtered in along the way and the book has left me looking forward to a day trip into DC so I can check a few of them out.
For many of us who are ignorant of Masonic lore, practices, rituals, etc it can be an interesting read. To learn about the Masonic link many of our founding fathers shared, the symbolism on things as simple as our money or as fantastic as the Capitol Building's central ceiling, it's fascinating to find out how much of our country's history is founded in accordance with Masonic beliefs or guidance. Some of the modern day characters that are cited as Masons might cause an eyebrow or two to be raised as well.
Of course, in the end, good wins out over evil. Secrets are revealed - maybe. Just like at the end of The Da Vinci Code, the reader can't REALLY be sure that he (or she) has learned any secrets. How much is fiction? How much is fact? How much fiction is intertwined with fact to make it all seem just surreal enough to be entertaining?
You'll have to read it for yourself to find out. It is a very good book. I enjoyed reading it and probably will again. This time around though, I think I'll take notes for future reference... or investigation.
Happy Trails!
