Review of 'The Da Vinci Code'

What Fans May Expert From Dan Brown's New Novel 'The Lost Symbol'

Aug 25, 2009

Before the availability of Dan Brown's latest novel, a peek at his breakthrough book, 'The Da Vinci Code,' may give a glimpse of what to expect in 'The Lost Symbol.'

Harvard symbology professor Robert Langdon joins forces with beautiful and gifted French cryptologist Sophie Neveu to uncover the mysteries hidden in the codes and anagrams left by a murdered museum curator.

Suspect

When Langdon is summoned to a murder scene in a Paris museum after midnight, he thinks it's his expertise the police require to decipher bizzare codes left by the victim, Jacques Sauniere. Unknown to Langdon, he is the primary suspect for the murder because was suppossed to have met the dead man the previous evening.

To make matters worse, the time of death corresponds with the time that was scheduled for their meeting as indicated in Sauniere's appointment diary.

Rescue

Sophie Neveu comes to Langdon's rescue after getting hold of the computer transcripts of the symbols and codes. She informs Langdon of his official suspect status.

However, Sophie has a vested interest in finding the curator's killers. He was her estranged grandfather.

She is also desperate to know the secrets he might be communicating to her from the grave.

The two become fugitives from the law as they emback on a quest to crack the strange codes.

But they are running out of time. Every mystery they unlock leads to more puzzles. And there is a killer on the loose. He is pursuing the object of their quest but for totally different reasons. Then there is the French captain of police dying to make a high profile arrest of Langdon, an American.

The Villains

It's a trio. The enigmatic teacher, operating behind the scenes. The bishop who seeks greater power. The killer, ruthless and tormented. This triumvirate wants to bury forever the secret that Langdon and Sophie are on a mission to unravel, the Holy Grail itself.

Gripping and Intelligent

The Da Vinci Code is a gripping and intelligent thriller. It takes the reader into the exclusive learning halls of Harvard, the esoteric world of art history, cryptography, iconography and secret societies. A combination of mythology, global conspiracy and endless action keep the reader hooked.

One great strenghth of this novel is the meticulous research that shows through the writing. It lends authenticity to Dan Brown's bold premise. The author also shows enormous skill in the way he tackles descriptions, history and complicated concepts without slowing the pace. He makes everything matter to the plot and action- how the word villain, for instance, came into being, or why evil is called sinister. The history of everything, whether its art or a building, is weaved into the story to craft an ethralling yarn.

Never knowing what to expect keeps one turning the pages. Empathy and indentification with the protagonists is not enough. The reader joins the search for the Holy Grail.

Dan Brown's previous novels dealt with secret societies, codes and symbols as well as global conspiracy. Expect a concorction of facts and fiction that leaves the reader unable to tell where each begins and ends.

Langdon observes that 'everyone loves a conspiracy.' One may safely expect the character to be heavily involved in elucidating conspiracy theories and unravelling secrets in the forthcoming novel.

About Dan Brown

Dan Brown, was born in Exeter, New Hampshire. He is the author of three other novels- Digital Forttress, Deception Point, and Angels and Demons. The Lost Symbol, his fifth, will be available in bookstores from 15 September 2009.

The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, both featuring Professor Robert Langdon, have been turned into movies starring Tom Hanks.

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