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Melissa
(08/06/10)
so boring
For a so-called "suspense novel", I thought this book was very boring. I could only force myself to read maybe half a chapter at a time. Definitely did not catch my interest at all. I have read other mystery suspense books and loved them, but this one, no thanks. I would not recommend it to anyone. The prologue was really the only part I kinda enjoyed.
Page Brandon
(07/13/10)
how much suspension
Since thrillers are not my genre of choice, I wonder how many of them require "willing suspension of disbelief" to the extent that Larsson does. One of the most tortured of the victims had a lovely marriage, is a devoted mother, and can function in the environment where all of the horror happened. She is wealthy, charming and ready to take on huge responsibilities. How does this magical transformation take place? In a psychiatrist's office daily for endless years during which time she needs drugs to sleep? We aren't told. She is too "whole" for the tortures she endured. Salander is the science fiction character whose brilliance and maneuvers require more of that "suspension." Are we really to believe that at this stage in her life she can have gratifying sex with a man? It is not enough to shock the reader with graphic details of the acts; the responsibility is to make us see what the torturers have done, how they have emotionally crippled and maimed the victims. Then a victim's recovery is more believable and appreciated. Then the emphasis is where it needs to be.
krista
(07/10/10)
Am I the Only Person in the World that Hated this?
OK...so I only got 3/4 through. This was just so poorly written---or translated? misogynist, and frankly, boring.
Elizabeth
(06/30/10)
Chilling
The story takes place in Sweden. It has love, mystery, murder, scandal, jealousy, family history, financial ruin, corruption, deceit, and two main female characters....one with a tattoo and one that has disappeared. :)
The story begins with a trial of a journalist, Mikael Blomkvist, and his indictment and moves to a girl with a tattoo, Lisbeth Salander, who does investigation for a security firm and the girl, Harriet Vanger, who had disappeared 30 years ago.
Mikael was hired by the Vanger family to do an investigation into the disappearance of Harriet and why the body was never found. The investigation is being done under the premise that Mikael is doing a piece on the history of the Vanger Family. Lisbeth and Mikael do get to meet, and it gets even more interesting...lots of things become discovered through Lisbeth's skills as a researcher.
It was a little slow at first, but once the book got into the lives of people and became more personal, you can't put it down....excellent writing. You will love the book as the story unfolds...just give it a few pages.
Liezle
(12/19/09)
Super Salander
First of all, I'm glad they changed the title. The original one just told spoils the story with one phrase.
The prologue was intriguing but by the time I got to the fist chapters, I was ready to give up on the book. It was just too boringly written. The narrative makes me think I'm reading the Business edition of a newspaper. It has too many unnecessary details.
Then I got to meet Salander... From then on, I was hooked! I just love this goth, introvert hacker who was so independent and unemotionally refreshing. Sometimes I want to smack her in the head for her unusual reactions but in the end, she proved that she knows what she's doing and I was wrong to doubt her.
My favorite part was with her first guardian. My eyes got misty in the hospital scene where the author described that she was like a lost dog. It shows the genuine vulnerability of the character.
I noticed that I get bored when the narrative switches to Blomkvist. His character was not so extraordinary. I don't think his character was very developed and I didn't buy the relationship between him and Salander.
In general though, this was an engaging novel with suspense and thrills up to the last page.
Lynn
(07/30/09)
Can't wait for the sequel
I am a big fan of crime fiction so I was really intrigued about all the interesting press about this book. I was not disappointed at all. I could not put this book down -- even took it to work one day because I could not wait until the evening to pick it up again. I am so glad there are 2 more books in the future, but so sad that this talented author died so young. Reading about a new location was so fascinating. The story was so different than any other crime novel I have read before. So clever, so interesting. The dialogue was brilliant.
Ann-Britt Keillor
(07/16/09)
Breathtaking!
I have read all three of Stieg Larssons trilogy, one in English and the other two in Swedish. I found them impossible to put down and I certainly hope that we get to see the movies here. I had not realized when I finished the first, that there were any more coming and was so disappointed not to learn more of Salander. I went on the internet and was excited to read that there were two more to come. Thanks to my brother I then received both of them in Swedish. I think the English title focuses more on Salander and less on the man's hatred of women and it is Salander that really becomes the focus of all three books. Certainly wish that there was a fourth but my imagination can conclude the series otherwise.
Dorothy
(01/22/09)
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
I have just finished reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and enjoyed it immensely. I did find the beginning a little slow.
Steig Larsson's death is a significant loss. He was too young and too talented!