The Lost Symbol (2009) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

Name: The Lost Symbol
Rating: 3.6 (97 reviews)
Author: Dan Brown

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

The Lost Symbol is a 2009 novel written by American writer Dan Brown. It is a thriller set in Washington, D.C., after the events of The Da Vinci Code, and relies on Freemasonry for both its recurring theme and its major characters. Released on September 15, 2009, it is the third Brown novel to involve the character of Harvard University symbologist Robert Langdon, following 2000's Angels & Demons and 2003's The Da Vinci Code. ---------- See also: [Lost Symbol [2/2]](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL27717939W)

Adult • 2009 • 604 pages • Lexile 880L / Grade 11-12 (roughly grades 4–5 reading difficulty)

by Dan Brown

3.6

Average rating by Bontent members

Age

17+

The Lost Symbol earns its adult thriller rating primarily for graphic, ritualistic violence and suspenseful sequences involving torture and mutilation. Parents should note a specific scene involving a severed hand in a public building, a tense sequence in a sensory deprivation tank that simulates drowning, and a villain who practices self-mutilation through extreme tattooing. The book contains occasional strong language and complex… Sign up for the full guide

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Is The Lost Symbol appropriate for kids?

Content severity in The Lost Symbol

Sex Moderate 3/10

Violence Intense 8/10

Language Strong 6/10

Substances Moderate 4/10

Themes Moderate 3/10

What happens in The Lost Symbol, moment by moment

p. 24 ⚔ Violence & Gore 7/10
p. 42 💬 Language 2/10
p. 80 🍷 Substances 4/10

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Sex and nudity in The Lost Symbol

This category is very light and contains no traditional sexual encounters or descriptions of arousal. There are brief mentions of a character's physical transformation and him standing naked to reveal full-body tattoos, but the context is ritualistic and non-sexual. The villain Mal'akh views his own body as a canvas for dark transformation rather than an object of desire. Some anatomical references are made during these transformation descriptions, particularly regarding his muscle tone and skin. No scenes involve…

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Violence and gore in The Lost Symbol

The book contains moderate to strong graphic content that is often ritualistic in nature. The story opens with a severed hand displayed in the U.S. Capitol, which is described with clinical and unsettling detail. There are scenes of kidnapping, a character being bled out via a needle into a bag, a near-drowning in a sensory deprivation tank, and a character who was shot and fell into a frozen river. The villain practices self-mutilation and uses extreme violence to maintain his secrecy, including the murder of a…

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Language in The Lost Symbol

Moderate usage of profanity occurs throughout the novel, generally used to emphasize the high-stakes pressure of the situation. Occasional use of 'f**k', 'sh*t', 'goddamn', and 'hell' are found in dialogue between Robert Langdon, CIA agents, and Katherine Solomon. These instances often occur during life-threatening chases or when startling discoveries are made. While the frequency is not excessive for a thriller of over 600 pages, the words are used with impact. There are no racial slurs or derogatory terms used…

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Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Lost Symbol

Substance use is not a central focus of the novel but is mentioned in specific contexts. There are brief mentions of past drug smuggling (cocaine) by Zachary Solomon, which led to his imprisonment and brutal treatment in a Turkish prison. This backstory is used to explain his psychological descent and estrangement from his family. In the present day, there is light social drinking of wine or spirits in a few scenes, such as when characters are reflecting on past memories. No characters are depicted as being under…

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Mature themes in The Lost Symbol

Heavy focus on secret societies (Freemasonry), the intersection of Noetic science and ancient mysticism, and intense family dysfunction involving grief, betrayal, and revenge.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Lost Symbol appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests The Lost Symbol is best for ages 17+. The Lost Symbol earns its adult thriller rating primarily for graphic, ritualistic violence and suspenseful sequences involving torture and mutilation. Parents should note a specific scene involving a severed hand in a…

What age rating does The Lost Symbol have?

Books don't carry official age ratings. The Lost Symbol is shelved by its publisher as Adult, but that's a marketing category, not a content rating — Bontent's own review of what's actually on the page puts it at ages 17+.

What reading level is The Lost Symbol?

The Lost Symbol is 604 pages and its reading level is Lexile 880L / Grade 11-12 (roughly grades 4–5 reading difficulty). Bontent recommends it for ages 17+.

What is The Lost Symbol about?

Is there sex or nudity in The Lost Symbol?

How violent is The Lost Symbol?

Is the language in The Lost Symbol appropriate for kids?

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking depicted in The Lost Symbol?

What mature themes appear in The Lost Symbol?

Heavy focus on secret societies (Freemasonry), the intersection of Noetic science and ancient mysticism, and intense family dysfunction involving grief, betrayal, and revenge.

Where can I read the full The Lost Symbol parent guide?

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