MANILA, Philippines - On Sept. 15, National Book Store is offering exclusive free perks when it launches Dan Brown’s latest book, The Lost Symbol. The bestselling author of The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons returns with his first book in six years that continues the adventures of Robert Langdon.
Brown is a master of puzzles and symbology. The Da Vinci Code, which has sold a staggering 80 million copies, actually had five puzzles built into the cover design of the book. These puzzles gave hints as to the topic of his next book, which we now know to be The Lost Symbol.
An example of one of his clues is:
“Five authors brave gave quotes to DVC.
Look closely to their left and you will see,
A string of backwards symbols heading North,
(Beginning near the quote occurring fourth.)
Gaze long and hard, have faith, there’s something there.
When it appears, reflect on it with care.
What enigmatic sculpture stands one degree North of the location indicated in the code?”
This clue refers to a set of printed coordinates that are incorporated into the design of the book. Following the coordinates will lead one to Kryptos, a sculpture located outside the CIA headquarters in Washington, DC that reputedly contains codes that have never been solved. Brown says that even the reference of the coordinates to a location one degree south of the sculpture was intentional.
Nothing that Brown does is as simple as it seems. Even The Lost Symbol’s release date has a special significance. Sept. 15, 2009 can be written as 9/15/09 and when you add up 9+15+9 they total 33. Keen observation of the book’s cover reveals the number 33 in the middle of the red seal. Knowing Dan Brown’s reputation, the number 33 will certainly play a significant role in Robert Langdon’s latest adventure.
What other secrets does Dan Brown have in store? We will just have to wait for The Lost Symbol to find out.
The Lost Symbol can be reserved at National Book Stores nationwide for the unprecedented price of P780 until September 14, 2009. That is a 20-percent discount on the book’s P975 SRP. National Book Store is also offering exclusive perks to everyone who reserves including a P200 discount on a Limited Edition Globe Tattoo, 50-percent discount on The Da Vinci Code, a raffle coupon for a chance to win Nokia 1208 and illustrated editions of The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons and free posters for the first 1,000 reservations.
National Book Store Glorietta 5 will be open at 12:01 midnight up to 1 a.m. on September 15, 2009. Additional freebies await those who want to be the first in the country to read about Robert Langdon’s latest adventure.
For more information, visit National Book Stores nationwide, email info@nationalbookstore.com.ph or go to www.nationalbookstore.com. Follow National Book Store on Facebook and Twitter.