Brown finds success with 'Lost'
Eric Ely
Issue date: 10/28/09 Section: Entertainment
Dan Brown has done it again.
His latest, "The Lost Symbol," once again features Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon; this time Langdon's journey takes him behind the scenes of many of Washington D.C.'s most famous landmarks including the Capitol, National Library and the Washington Monument. Freemason legend and lore are explored as the Masons are the secret society focused on by Brown this time around, making them much less secret as millions discover them through this book.
Typical of Brown's style the novel is fast-paced and is a very quick read. Once you start it is extremely difficult to put down. Short chapters keep the pace moving and also transition well between the numerous characters and storylines.
While this style works well it is also my biggest complaint with the book. This style can be quite frustrating to the reader. It is very easy to get caught up in one character's story; you become consumed with their story and actions. Chapters normally end abruptly and unexpectedly, leaving you on the edge of your seat wanting more. Then, the next chapter begins with another character and story when you are still thinking about what just happened in the last one. After a few lines, however, you become tied up again with the new chapter. This cycle continues chapter after chapter. It is a mark of how good the construction and plot are that this somewhat frustrating structure can be turned into a strength.
Also typical of Brown's style is the mixture of fact and fiction. While reading you are learning about the Freemasons, Noetic science and the history of many of D.C.'s famous buildings in a fun and entertaining way. Picking up this information flows well with the fictional action of the story. There are, however, on a few occasions, times where this information is a bit dry and long-winded. For the most part the factual information is unobtrusive and does not affect the story in any way. Most of this information is so interesting that after reading you want to do your own research on the topics of places profiled in the book.
His latest, "The Lost Symbol," once again features Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon; this time Langdon's journey takes him behind the scenes of many of Washington D.C.'s most famous landmarks including the Capitol, National Library and the Washington Monument. Freemason legend and lore are explored as the Masons are the secret society focused on by Brown this time around, making them much less secret as millions discover them through this book.
Typical of Brown's style the novel is fast-paced and is a very quick read. Once you start it is extremely difficult to put down. Short chapters keep the pace moving and also transition well between the numerous characters and storylines.
While this style works well it is also my biggest complaint with the book. This style can be quite frustrating to the reader. It is very easy to get caught up in one character's story; you become consumed with their story and actions. Chapters normally end abruptly and unexpectedly, leaving you on the edge of your seat wanting more. Then, the next chapter begins with another character and story when you are still thinking about what just happened in the last one. After a few lines, however, you become tied up again with the new chapter. This cycle continues chapter after chapter. It is a mark of how good the construction and plot are that this somewhat frustrating structure can be turned into a strength.
Also typical of Brown's style is the mixture of fact and fiction. While reading you are learning about the Freemasons, Noetic science and the history of many of D.C.'s famous buildings in a fun and entertaining way. Picking up this information flows well with the fictional action of the story. There are, however, on a few occasions, times where this information is a bit dry and long-winded. For the most part the factual information is unobtrusive and does not affect the story in any way. Most of this information is so interesting that after reading you want to do your own research on the topics of places profiled in the book.
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