It has a complex plot involving two separate 'mysteries'; the disappearance of a young girl, Harriet Vanger, in the 1960's and the web of corporate corruption spun by the Wennestrom Corporation.
Michael Blomkvist has been found guilty of defaming the Wennestrom Corporation and his career is shot to pieces, particularly following his sentence of 2 months imprisonment. He insists, however, that Wennestrom is corrupt, and when Henrick Vanger (ex-CEO of the family owned and run Venger Corporation) offers proof of Wennestrom's corruption in return for Blomkvist assisting him to solve the mysterious disappearance of his niece Harriet Vanger 40 years ago, Blomkvist cannot resist. To assist him, he joins forces with Lisbeth Salander, a young, rather 'gothic' girl, with behavioural problems but skills perfect for such a task.
This book didn't have me hooked from the beginning, but perseverance paid off, and from about half way through the book I was hopelessly hooked.
Plot: The plot as twists and turns that I didn't see coming. It is also a lot darker than I expected it to be, with scenes of graphic violence against women. I am somewhat immune to these things because of the work that I do, but I am sure that some people would have found these scenes extremely shocking. I certainly found them shocking, mainly because I didn't see them coming and I am not sued to reading such graphic material in novel form. However, I very much appreciated Larsson's ability to give me as the reader something different to what I am used to reading. Sometimes it good to receive a shock like that. There are many women out there who suffer from these types of violence on a daily basis while most of us sit at home enjoying our happy lives.
My biggest complaint about the plot, and why I had trouble really getting into the book, is that Larsson spent far too much time setting everything up. I think the first 1/3 of the book is about establishing who all the characters are and how they are related. I know it has a complex plot, but this did become a little frustrating.
The book is written from many different people's perspectives and I found that the way in which is went between these different perspectives so frequently was at times quite distracting.
I was also surprised at how much additional book there as after the murder mystery was resolved. I wasn't really quite as interested in the Wennestrom Affair as I was the murder mystery, but I did appreciate that Larsson really tied off all the loose ends.
Characters: The characters were well formed I thought. I really developed a sense of who they were, particularly Blomkvist and Salander. I was surprised at Blomkvist's willingness to sleep with so many people, but each to their own.
For me, it was really Salander that made the book. I know a lot of characters in the book say this about her, but I think it is very true - you really got a sense of her as the victim. Despite her bravado, her intelligence, her strength and conviction, underneath it all her weakness and her neediness (I think) were palpable, and you couldn't help but feel for her. I particularly felt for her in the way in which her relationship with Blomkvist concluded.
Although I accept that most of this review so far reads more bad than god, the way in which Larsson sucks you into the story to the point where you cannot put the book down more than makes up for everything else. This is a book that I would recommend to everyone without reservation and one that I will definitely be re-reading.
Summary
What kind of read is this?
It is a very dark read, but it is gripping. Don't be put off by it's size either, it is an easy read.
Do I recommend this book?
Without reservation. It was really deeply and darkly delicious.
Do I recommend that you buy this book?
Absolutely. This is one that I think will stand up tp re-reading.
Star Rating
7.5 / 8
Brilliant, couldn't put it down. Everyone should read it. Recommend that you buy it.
19 comments:
Wow--that one earned a high rating! I recently got a copy of this book. Looking forward to reading it now! Thanks for sharing....
I loved this series. Each book does suffer a little from the set up information and the political background, but the writing, the characters and the plot all make up for it.
wow..this sounds really darkly delicious.and considers high rating too.
I really enjoyed this, although thought Girl Who Played With Fire was better. Reading the final book in the trilogy at the moment.
I really loved this one too - even though, like you, I am not normally a crime reading girl. I do want to read the rest of the series but I have given myself a break from the darkness for a little while!
Hi Becky,
I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed this book. One of my colleagues came back from leave, absolutely oozing with delight about these books.
I haven't read it yet - but your review (it's fabulous) - has reminded me to humbug my workmate and borrow the whole series.
Lisbeth is a character I just know I'm going to love. (I love quirkiness of all kinds)
My dad raved about these books the other day and although I own the girl with the dragon tatoo I STILL haven't read it yet. Glad you enjoyed it
I just saw the movie yesterday and it was fantastic! Obviously, most of the set-up was gone, as were my other 2 complaints. I highly recommend it. You totally forget you're reading subtitles after a while.
I bought the 1st one and couldn't get pass all the set up but I do hear it is fabulous. My brother has read all of them so when I do get to I have to read, I hear its definitely an all best Mystery Series.
Great review
I agree with your assessment 100%! I got sucked into this book for reasons I'm not entirely clear about ... it is just gripping but yet, like you point out, there are quite a few "flaws" that make you wonder why you are so compelled to read it. And I agree ... much of the draw is Lisbeth Salander. The next book was interesting because there is a lot more about Lisbeth and why she is the way she is.
my wife is 17 pages into this book and very unhappy with it so far. long winded descriptions of lawsuits or something.
she is pushing through it but this definitely seems to be a common concern, as you described.
Awesome review! I definitely need to read this book :)
You have an award on my blog here.
I've had this sitting on my shelf for a while. I will have to read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo soon, especially after such a fantastic review.
I have an award for you too!
Everyone I know that has read this book said the same thing-you have to work to get past the first 150 pages or so, but after that it is totally worth it. I loved it, and can't wait to read the next one.
Im glad everyone liked the review. To everyone out there who plans on reading it, it is hard work to get into it, but it is very worth it.
How awesome is this book! :) I am glad you ended up enjoying it! I agree, it's a struggle for the first 50 or so pages but then it really picks up. The second one is really good too! Now I am just waiting for the third to come out in the right sized paperback! I think I may have a bit of a wait though.
Great review by the way!
Beautiful review!! Can you believe that I still have to read this book? Loved your thoughts on it, and I hope I will get to it sooner than later.
Becky: I feel the same way about this book - it is definitely a reread for the future...I loved it and am definitely looking forward to reading the other two. Great review and thanks for stopping by mine.
I agree with you on most points. The beginning is really slow but once the story takes off, it's really hard to stop.
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