The Lion King | 51
Book review
The Lost Symbol
Author: Dan Brown
Year of Publication: 2009
Publisher: Double Day, Transworld
Reviewer: Patrick Okebie jr
F
ollowing his critically ac-
claimed novel, The Da Vinci
Code, Dan Brown is setting
the status quo for fictional novels
that not only fascinate the read-
ers’ imagination, but also makes
the reader speculate about the
intricacies of the hidden and eso-
teric involvement of the Vatican
church, masons, secret symbols,
and secret knowledge that only
those in position of power may ac-
quire. Brown’s novels are notice-
ably inspired by the Indiana Jones
legacy archetype by trying to em-
ulate a thrilling adventure through
secret tunnels and his fascination
with mythology, pyramids, Holy
Grails, treasure maps, secret
codes, and spine-chilling
near death scenarios.
Dan Brown’s, The Lost Symbol,
is his attempt to shed light
on the well-known Masonic
lodges in America, and how
their influence and secret
knowledge of ancient myster-
ies shaped the nation’s capi-
tol and western civilization
ever since George Washing-
ton laid the cornerstone in a
Masonic ceremony wearing
full Masonic regalia.
Robert Langdon, a profes-
sor of symbology at Harvard
University and the leading
character of the novel is on a
mission to save his friend and
mentor, Peter Solomon, after
being captured by a crazed
lunatic who infiltrates the
Masonic organization. The
story takes Langdon through
a series of events which leads
him to a never-ending trail of
hidden portals and passage-
way that needs his expertise
in ancient symbols and codes
in order to rescue his mentor
and all of human kind. The
antagonist, known simply as
Mal’akh, is looking to find the
source of infinite power of
which he believes the historic
Masons have access to.
For anyone who read “The Da
Vinci Code” and is interested
in adventure novels filled with
twists and surprises, with an
endless array of conspiracy
theories, Dan Brown’s “The
Lost Symbol” is a must-read.
For the open-minded reader,
“The Lost Symbol” may pose
some interesting questions
that may warrant further re-
search. The book is a thriller
that will keep eyes glued to
each page as each chap-
ter is filled with surprises that
never fail to keep you on the
edge of your seat.
Editor’s Picks:
Good reads for everyone
1. Excuse Me!
by Victor
Ehikhamenor: Enjoy
the wit and humour
of these satirical
short-essays.
2. The 48 Laws of Power
by Robert Greene: This
international bestseller
is a must read for
anyone who wants
to understand power
and how to use it.
