Fed: First Australian to finish The Lost Symbol will reveal the mystery
Tue Sep 15 04:04:25 EST 2009
Mon Sep 14 18:04:25 UTC 2009
SYDNEY, Sept 14 AAP - Dan Brown fans have been waiting years for his latest book, but one Australian reader is expected to take just over two hours to finish it and reveal its mystery plot to the nation.
The Lost Symbol, the follow-up to Brown's 2003 hit The Da Vinci Code, is released globally at 9am (AEST) on Tuesday.
Intrigue and rumours have been swirling around the closely-guarded plot of The Lost Symbol, which is widely believed to focus on the Freemasons.
Brown's famous protagonist Robert Langdon returns in the new novel, which is promised to feature the history, codes and thrilling plot loved by his fans.
The first global print run of 6.5 million is the largest in the history of its publisher Random House, in anticipation of matching the 81 million copies of The Da Vinci Code sold around the world.
At the Sydney launch, publishers will be on the hunt for the country's fastest speed reader, who will be given the chance to settle the speculation by delivering the first review.
Entrants in the speed reading contest will be given a copy of the book at the State Library of NSW the the moment it is released.
In the historic setting of the library, the first person is expected to finish reading The Lost Symbol in two and a half hours and will deliver the review to the public and press.
Managing director of Random House Australia Margie Seale said the launch will harness intrigue around the book.
"Millions of Australians have enjoyed the pure adrenalin thrill of Dan Brown's novels, coupled with their fascinating historical insights," Ms Seale said in a statement.
The Australian paperback edition of The Da Vinci Code spent more than a year on the best seller list.
After the global success of The Da Vinci Code, which was also made into a blockbuster movie, Brown's earlier novels Angels and Demons, Digital Fortress and Deception Point have all become international hits.
