The Return of Lisbeth Salander?

This post was originally written by M. Elwood for Toronto Public Library's web site. It was first published on  January 18, 2011. This was one of my first posts for the library and I was still double spacing after periods!

When I turned the final page of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, the third book in Stieg Larsson’s Millennium series, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief.  With the author’s tragic death, this would be the end.  There would be no more Lisbeth, no more Mikael.  I was delighted.  You see, I’ve been harbouring a dark secret.  I hated these books.  It's awkward because almost everyone else loves them.  The series is popular with every type of reader—old, young, male, female.  Just about everyone on the subway seems to be reading of them. 

For me, the books were boring.  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was the most interesting but even it had sections (the beginning, the end, parts of the middle) that just dragged.   The plot of The Girl who Played with Fire, is a distant memory.  I do remember being terribly annoyed by the ending.  In addition to all of her other attributes, Lisbeth is apparently indestructible.  The Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest was unforgivably dull.  Larsson took a perfectly serviceable plot about a woman accused wrongfully accused of crimes and buried it inside a thesis on Swedish constitutional law.  I just don't understand the popularity.

However, there are millions of readers worldwide who love the books.  They will be pleased to learn that Larsson had apparently plotted 7 additional books at the time of his death and his partner Eva Gabrielsson will continue the series.  Unfortunately the ongoing dispute over his estate may delay the process.

I won't be holding my breath.  Does anyone else share my opinion?

-- ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sheila D 

I agree with you. I liked the first book, but it really dragged in places, and the back story was so obvious and so long before the action began. I liked Salander but that's about it! I didn't read the next ones. I can understand why this series a hit, but a megahit? I don't get it.

DATE: 01/18/2011 

 ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: V  

The first book bored me senseless - endless details of business holdings, family genealogy, and repetitive dialogue punctuated with sudden bursts of contrived over-the-top violence - almost as if the book was trying to keep itself awake. Thanks for posting - I'm glad I'm not alone. 

DATE: 01/18/2011

---- COMMENT: AUTHOR: S 

I stopped reading "The girl who played with fire" when Salandar started decorating her apartment with Ikea furniture. It seemed like a two page ad for Ikea! 

DATE: 01/19/2011

 ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Milu   09:28:58 AM 

No, you are not alone...I decided read the first book to see what all the fuss is about. Almost gave up on it but kept reading. It would be better I think if it was edited more. So many details that don't end up having much to do with the plot. Read the second book and now waiting for the third as I feel I invested time in reading the first two but glad it stops there. I also don't understand why the series is such a huge hit. Thanks for the opportunity to share my opinion.

DATE: 01/19/2011

 

 ----- COMMENT: 

AUTHOR: Sheila D

 Anyone seen the Swedish version of the movie? Because it condensed a lot of the info. provided by Larsson in the book it was much faster paced and more exciting. I still found the violence over the top, but the "bad" characters were more believable, perhaps because I'm used to seeing this kind of character in the movies. The book did not bring the villains to life for me. The biggest mystery to me remains not what happened to the missing woman in the book, but why this series is so incredibly popular! I won't be seeing the American film. Can't figure out whey they thought it needed redoing anyway. Heard that Mikhael is less promiscuous and Salander is even more violent! Who needs that? 

 DATE: 01/19/2011

----- COMMENT: 

AUTHOR: M   

Sheila, you've hit on one of my big problems with the series. Why are all the women in Sweden throwing themselves at Mikael? I was particularly baffled by Salander's decision to seduce him. She could do so much better! (It just seemed out of character to me.)

DATE: 01/20/2011

 

----- COMMENT: 

AUTHOR: Sheila D 

 

I agree, M. Mikael doesn't come alive to me in the novel, or even in the film, and he certainly doesn't strike me as particularly attractive in any way. I did sort of understand Salander's involvement with him, though. The author does establish a connection between them, I thought. Plus, she's damaged and needy, underneath. However, I wholeheartedly agree that I Mikael's success with women in general is a bit beyond me.

DATE: 01/20/2011 

 ----- COMMENT:

 AUTHOR: Patti P  

I enjoyed the books and found them to be a page turner. I skipped or scanned sections that I found boring but the plot was riveting. I resisted reading these books because they were so popular but I fell in love with the characters and was sad to read the last page of the 2nd book and now have to wait for the 3rd one.

DATE: 09/21/2011

 ----- COMMENT: 

AUTHOR: Gordo    

I couldn't disagree more. I loved all three books and read them in a little over 10 days. When I got to the last 50 pages in each book, I put it down and waited a few hours so I could savour it for a bit longer. I didn't want them to end. When I finished the last book I was depressed that there might not be anymore in the series. Lisbeth Salander is one of the most interesting characters I have come across in a long time. I didn't believe the hype before I started reading them - knew that they couldn't be that good - and was totally blown away. Not sure what you didn't like about them. 

DATE: 03/26/2012

----- COMMENT:

 AUTHOR: M

Hi, Gordo 

Well, in this case I was certainly in the minority. Those books were unbelievably popular and seemed to appeal to readers of all ages and genres. I have a couple of suggestions for you. Since you like Lisbeth Salander, you might also enjoy Carol O'Connell's books about Kathy Mallory--like Salander she's anti-social, good with technology and relentless in her pursuit of justice. The first in the series is Mallory's Oracle. There's also a good list of Scandinavian thrillers that our staff put together. Personally I liked the Anne Holt and James Thompson books. Take a look and see what you think: http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/books-video-music/books/booklists/booklist.jsp?listTitle=Scandinavian_Mysteries&listId=0AuWq260_K8h2dFBwNlk5TjRSZ19YYUswcFE1LV9RTmc&sheetId=ob8

DATE: 03/30/2012

----- COMMENT: 

AUTHOR: G E  

@ the person who wrote the review about Stieg Larson's 3 books..Who are you? Are you swedish, and if so are you crazy. I am swedish , and have read all 3 books in swedish, english, and german. They are great books, and perhaps you could enlighten me what get your juices going. Pretty sluggish brain\literary capacity in my opinion, and furthermore what have you published lately. Would also like to know what literary background you possess. Maybe some 2-bit american crime writer would be more your style, just guessing of course.... 

DATE: 06/17/2013

 ----- COMMENT: 

AUTHOR: M. Elwood  

G E: 

 Not every book is right for every reader and the Larsson books just didn't work for me personally. I'm glad that you and millions of others around the world enjoyed them. Everyone should have books that speak to them. Happy reading! 

DATE: 06/18/2013

 ----- COMMENT: 

AUTHOR: bookfiend   

To G E

Why are you so defensive? Are people not entitled to not like certain books? Are they not allowed to enjoy books that you do not like? Please explain to us all why you believe your opinion is the only one that is valid. I was under the impression that Sweden was a tolerant society that accepts different points of view. Is this wrong? By your entry it appears so. We are readers. Readers with opinions that do not insult the opinions of others. Please remember this when you get off your high horse.

DATE: 06/18/2013