Reading & Writing Task 1

The reading and review of one novel (fiction) + Identify its target audience and whom you would recommend it to.

The novel that I read was The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. This book is about a Harvard symbologist Professor Robert Langdon who is summoned to give a lecture at the United States Capitol, with the invitation apparently from his mentor, a 33rd degree Mason named Peter Solomon. Solomon has also asked him to bring a small, sealed package which he had entrusted to Langdon years earlier. When Langdon arrives at the Capitol, however, he learns that the invitation he received was not from his mentor, but from Solomon's kidnapper, Mal'akh. Mal'akh contacts Langdon, charging him with finding both the Mason's Pyramid and the Lost Word, threatening Langdon with the death of Peter Solomon if he does not find the Lost Word and the Mason’s Pyramid.

Mal'akh is a Freemason with tattoos covering almost his entire body. He infiltrated the organization in order to obtain an ancient source of power, which he believes Langdon can unlock for him in return for Peter Solomon's life. As Langdon deals with the events into which he has been thrust, Mal'akh destroys the Smithsonian-sponsored laboratory of Dr. Katherine Solomon, Peter's younger sister, where she has conducted experiments in Noetic Science.

Mal’akh severely injures Katherine and places Langdon in a tank of breathable oxygenated liquid, from where in fear and panic of drowning, Langdon unlocks the code at the Pyramid's base for Mal'akh, who then flees with Peter Solomon to the Temple Room of the Scottish Rite's House of the Temple. Mal'akh, who turns out to be Peter's long-believed dead son, Zachary Solomon, forces the Word out of his father and tattoos it on his head on the last portion of unmarked skin on his body. Mal'akh then orders Peter to sacrifice him, as he believes that it is his destiny to lead the forces of evil. Director Sato, however, arrives at the Temple in a helicopter in time, which smashes the Temple's overhead glass panel and kills Mal'akh. Peter informs Langdon that the circumpunct Mal’akh had tattooed on his head is not the Word. Deciding to take Langdon to the true secret behind the Word, Peter leads him to the room atop the Washington Monument where Langdon realizes that the symbols on the pyramid's base spelled out the words Laus Deo which translate to Praise God.

I feel that the book is very interesting and it can capture the reader’s attention from the start till the very last word. The book has many unexpected twists, and reader’s can also gain new knowledge about the Freemasons and about Noetic Science from reading the book. I would recommend the book to people who enjoy other books by Dan Brown, such as The Da Vinci Code, or people who are looking for a mystery/thriller book.