One of the most famous and successful writers of the late XX – early XXI centuries is the American Dan Brown. Today it is difficult to find a person who has not read at least one of his adventure novels, full of mysteries and mystical secrets. The writer opens before the reader a world of secret societies into which he can never get, gives information on history in general and on the history of religion and art in particular, which cannot be obtained by the average person. And although his allegations are controversial and sometimes shocking, we can neither confirm nor refute them, because the topic is too closed for a wide range, but therefore incredibly attractive.
Dan Brown wrote a series of books about Professor Langton, one of the best experts in the field of symbology of religions in the world, a science whose existence we had no idea. And at the same time, from morning to night, the main character does everything that unravels the meaning of symbols, cryptograms, ciphers and codes embodied in works of art, literature, historical and architectural monuments - an occupation that is unusually interesting to watch. The novel “The Lost Symbol” (working title “The Key of Solomon”, which was assigned to it along with the official one) is the third after the “Angels and Demons” and “Da Vinci Code”. It was released in 2009 with a circulation of 6.5 million copies. Later (in 2013), the latest novel about the professor called “Inferno” was released.
However, we would like to dwell on the book “The Lost Symbol” (“The Key of Solomon”). What is its plot? Professor Langton is invited by his friend and teacher Peter Solomon to give a lecture at the Capitol (Washington). The teacher is not at all simple - he is the head of the Smithsonian Institution and at the same time a Freemason, and of the 33rd degree (that is, far from an ordinary member of this organization). The mysteries and secrets of the almighty Society of Free Masons, encrypted in the architecture of the American capital and the works of art stored here, formed the mainstream of the plot of the book "The Key of Solomon." In this vein, the main character moves along with his assistant - a learned lady named Katherine, the sister of Peter Solomon.
But back to the storyline. So, Langton arrives in Washington, comes to the Capitol and then discovers the severed hand of his teacher, who was kidnapped and whose search for an experienced professor in such matters has only 12 hours. During this time, he must find the pyramids, resting deep in the land of Washington and unravel the cipher, consisting of 1800 signs, carved on a statue at the headquarters of the CIA.
Rapid movement around the city - the scene of the novel, persecution by national law enforcement agencies, a beautiful assistant with a scientific degree - these are the main attributes of books about Professor Langton, something that Dan Brown can easily recognize. The Key of Solomon (The Lost Symbol) is no exception. But the main protagonist of the books of this author is, of course, Her Majesty SECRET. Together with the heroes of the novel, we travel around Washington, get acquainted with its sights, the history of this city and the country that Brown loves and glorifies in this book. The "Key of Solomon" will repeatedly force us to turn to the encyclopedia to take a closer look at Durer's frescoes, the image of the "Apotheosis of Washington", Masonic symbols and signs.
Following the success of The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown fans expected something unbelievable from his new creation. However, Solomon’s Key turned out to be the long-awaited and most negatively accepted book in the series. But despite the fact that the novel received mostly unflattering reviews, it is safe to say that reading it will be interesting and informative.