Book Review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

According to Stieglarsson.com, the author of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson (1954 to 2004) is a "classic workaholic" who worked two jobs until his untimely death at age 50. Once considered a left-wing activist, Stieg Larsson's professional life included editing magazines and working as a graphic designer.

Stieg Larsson wrote his first book, Right-wing Extremism in 1991 after researching political leanings in Sweden. Working long hours and smoking many cigarettes, Stieg Larsson's lifestyle ultimately triggered his demise (stieglarsson.com). Stieg Larsson and his live-in girlfriend, Eva Gabrielsson lived with the fear of impending violence from Swedish right-wing extremists and rarely appeared together in public. His Millennium series-The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and its two sequels--were published after his death. Stieg Larsson, sadly, did not live to see the success of selling over 20 million copies of the books in over 40 countries.

Although Stieg Larsson authored 2 nonfiction books and scores of magazine articles, his first novel, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo reads as well as novels written by novelists with more experience. First published in Sweden in 2005 under the name of Man Som Hatar Kvinnor, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was translated into English and published in 2008 by the Alfred A. Knopf Publishers/Random House.

Book Introduction

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a mystery, suspense thriller, and spell-binding story of the lives and adventures of Mikael Blomqvist and Lisbeth Salander.

Mikael Blomqvist is a journalist with a complicated life. Aside from the fact that he's involved in an ongoing affair with his longtime friend/co-worker, Erika Berger, Mikael Blomqvist has been charged and convicted of libel. He will soon serve a short prison sentence. In the meantime, Blomqvist has accepted the offer from Henrik Vanger, an aged businessman, to find out what happened to his beloved 16-year-old niece, Harriet Vanger 40 years ago. Thus begins Mikael Blomqvist's quest to meet and interview the inhabitants of the island, Hedeby, where the Vanger mystery unfolded over 4 decades ago.

Lisbeth Salander, her body a canvas of piercings and tattoos, is the epitome of punk goth. With a petite build and unique spirit, Lisbeth Salander is the impetus to the story. Computer hacker by day, Salander struggles to relate socially. To say Lisbeth Salander is a fascinating character is an understatement. Salander's involvement with the internet's underground makes an interesting side-story.

Even though Lisbeth Salander's history includes numerous incidents of her own violent proclivities, this reader couldn't help but adore her. We all want and need a friend like Lisbeth Salander. A woman of few words, Lisbeth Salander's loyalty has no limits. What happened to Lisbeth Salander in her past? What is Lisbeth Salander thinking/planning? What will she do next?

The Plot

As Mikael Blomqvist sorts through the lives of Hedeby's inhabitants to gather information to determine what happened to Harriet Vanger, he discovers new facts about her disappearance. Mikael Blomqvist's work on Hedeby eventually leads him to Lisbeth Salander.

Lisbeth Salander has her own problems-numerous complaints about co-workers at Milton Security firm, a sinister, perverted guardian, and her internal struggles regarding establishing social relationships, intimate and otherwise. Lisbeth Salander has her own group of acquaintances, yet very few friends. The contrast between her out-of-this-world knowledge of computers and investigative work and her seeming inability to relate to others is interesting. Stieg Larsson does a swell job leaving little gems to enhance readers' curiosities about Lisbeth Salander.

The Opinion

Overly detailed and descriptive, the initial pages of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo were tedious, yet so worth it. Once Lisbeth Salander's character is introduced, the reader will have no problem keeping with the story. Stieg Larsson's meticulous focus on specifics, although a pain initially, makes for rich settings and encourages readers to form mental pictures of locations, whether in Stockholm or on the island of Hedeby.

How did Stieg Larsson construct such a fascinating story? Pursuing the raveling and unraveling plots, subplots, and main story line was absolutely mesmerizing.

Character portrayal is Stieg Larsson's piece de resistance. Although he may have gone overboard on the number of characters in the book, the bottom line is Stieg Larsson wrote a fantastic story. This reader considered jotting down characters' names with short role descriptions to avoid confusion. Characters' names were elaborate and Swedish, which contributed to difficulties in learning them, at least for this reader.

Avid readers will marvel-how did Stieg Larsson create such full, well-rounded characters with flaws and surprises? Upon completing The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, you will find yourself mourning the loss of the story and characters.

One important suggestion-Read Stieg Larsson's Millennium series in order. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is the first, followed by The Girl Who Played with Fire, then The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. In The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Larsson does an excellent job setting up characters and leaving hints about characters' histories, which logically lead to the next book.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, with its complexities, intrigue, and mystery draws readers in like never before. A must read for men and women alike, this book satisfies. This reader felt she knew Mikael Blomqvist. Thoughts of Lisbeth Salander haunted in between reading sessions. She's unusual and more than a little quirky. Other times, Salander is diabolical in her plans of retribution toward someone who has wronged her.

Get this book. You will be glad you did. Then, you'll be sad when you finish it. Finally, you will go to any length to get Stieg Larsson's follow-up story, The Girl Who Played with Fire.

Rating

Even with its tedious beginning, Larsson has created one of the most consuming reads ever. 5 out of 5 stars.

Sources

Larsson, Stieg. (2008). The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. New York. Alfred A. Knopf/Random House

Stieglarsson.com. (September 3, 2010). Stieg Larsson: A diverse background. Viewed September 3, 2010