Lost Symbol - Perfect for Airports

I assume Dan Brown has made a fortune from the royalties for The Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons and the other novels and their film versions. That he's managed to add to his wealth with the release of The Lost Symbol is inevitable.

But is it truly deserving?

The Lost Symbol is not a great work of literature. Sure, it is readable, but so is the back of some cereal packs. Readibility is not the best barometer.

Langdon, who previously appeared in both The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, makes another appearance in The Lost Symbol.

This time round he's exploring the Masonic world in the US capital - Washington DC.

(On a positive note I suspect the tourist office in Washington will probably be thanking Dan Brown for the boost in visitor numbers.)

Langdon is summoned to Washington to give a lecture at short notice. When he arrives he finds himself pulled into the intricate web of an evil mastermind who is hellbent on unravelling the Masons' greatest secret.

The problem is that Brown prefaces the book by stating that all the symbols, science, organisations and rites he describes are real. So he's trying to base a work of fiction on scientific and cultural fact. However his "facts" are, in many cases, more "fantasy" than "reality".
Be that as it may, if the thriller were a wonderful read you'd be able to forgive him.
Unfortunately that's not the case.
Like a bad Hollywood film, Brown is incapable of writing a thriller that actually keeps you on your toes. After the first few chapters you've probably already worked out who the mystery man really is, though you have to patiently wait until the final part of the book for confirmation. When it comes you aren't surprised or even relieved. It's more a sensation of amazement. Not amazement at his skillful prose, but more his complete inability to withhold the surprise.  I don't know about you, but I like thrillers that have surprising twists. The Lost Symbol really doesn't

If you like a fairly pacy read and can't get your hands on a Cussler or Lee Child, then maybe The Lost Symbol is a good option to kill a few hours. It would be perfect fare for holiday reading, as you won't feel guilty if you forget the book in the hotel.

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