Worse Than Expected

I actually enjoyed The da Vinci Code (even though the title doesn’t make sense… “the of Vinci Code?) and Angels and Demons. However, The Lost Symbol was disappointing at best. Perhaps is was the lack of exotic, exciting scenery (Paris and Rome beat Washington DC for exotic and exciting. My apologies to those who feel otherwise), or perhaps it was simply the poor writing. Isn’t the first rule of fiction “show, not tell?” It seems that Dan Brown forgot that important premise. The reader isn’t given much of a chance to figure things out for him/herself; Brown gives an unnecessary amount of information.

Maybe the Lost Symbol would have been more exciting if Dan Brown hadn’t written many other novels with the same basic plot line. Hero stumbles upon a mystery. Hero is given puzzle. Hero solves ancient code. Hero flirts shamelessly with heroine, who most likely ends up falling in love with hero. World is saved and bad guys end up punished. It’s a feel good story with ancient symbolism, and it’s no longer as thrilling as it was in 2004.

I suppose I expected a different plot line, or writing that had increased in intellectual complexity since Brown first appeared on the list of New York Times bestsellers, but I should have known better. The book was at least entertaining and it was a quick read. Take it to the beach, the park or the pool. It’s an escape from reality and should be judged as just that.