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The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
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The disappearance forty years ago of Harriet Vanger, a young scion of one of the wealthiest families in Sweden, gnaws at her octogenarian uncle, Henrik Vanger. He is determined to know the truth about what he believes was her murder. He hires crusading journalist Mikael Blomkvist, recently at the wrong
… More »The disappearance forty years ago of Harriet Vanger, a young scion of one of the wealthiest families in Sweden, gnaws at her octogenarian uncle, Henrik Vanger. He is determined to know the truth about what he believes was her murder. He hires crusading journalist Mikael Blomkvist, recently at the wrong end of a libel case, to get to the bottom of Harriet's disappearance. Lisbeth Salander, a twenty-four-year-old, pierced, tattooed genius hacker, possessed of the hard-earned wisdom of someone twice her age--and a terrifying capacity for ruthlessness--assists Blomkvist with the investigation. This unlikely team discovers a vein of nearly unfathomable iniquity running through the Vanger family, an astonishing corruption at the highest echelon of Swedish industrialism--and a surprising connection between themselves.--From publisher description.
« LessVanger, Harriet - (Female) Mysteriously disappeared forty years ago; comes from a wealthy family
Blomkvist, Mikael - (Journalist - Male) Disgraced; sent to jail for writing negative things about a shady businessman; financial journalist; searching for the truth behind Harriet's disappearance
Salander, Lisbeth - (Female) Has many piercings and tattoos; helping Mikael find out the truth behind Harriet's disappearance
Vanger, Henrik - (Male) Harriet's uncle; hired Mikael to investigate Harriet's disappearance; believes Harriet was murdered
Kirkus Reviews
First U.S. publication for a deceased Swedish author (1954 & #8211;2004); this first of his three novels, a bestseller in Europe, is a labored mystery. It's late 2002. Mikael Blomkvist, reputable Stockholm financial journalist, has just lost a libel case brought by a notoriously devious tycoon. He's looking at a short jail term and the ruin of his magazine, which he owns with his best friend and occasional lover, Erika Berger. The case has brought him to the attention of Henrik Vanger, octogenarian, retired industrialist and head of the vast Vanger clan. Henrik has had a report on him prepared by Lisbeth Salander, the eponymous Girl, a freaky private investigator. The 24-year-old Lisbeth is a brilliant sleuth, and no wonder: She's the best computer hacker in Sweden. Henrik hires Mikael to solve an old mystery, the disappearance of his great-niece Harriet, in 1966. Henrik is sure she was murdered; every year the putative killer tauntingly sends him a pressed flower on his birthday (Harriet's custom). He is equally sure one of the Vangers is the murderer. They're a nasty bunch, Nazis and ne'er-do-wells. There are three story lines here: The future of the magazine, Lisbeth's travails (she has a sexually abusive guardian) and, most important, the Harriet mystery. This means an inordinately long setup. Only at the halfway point is there a small tug of excitement as Mikael breaks the case and enlists Lisbeth's help. The horrors are legion: Rape, incest, torture and serial killings continuing into the present. Mikael is confronted by an excruciating journalistic dilemma, resolved far too swiftly as we return to the magazine and the effort to get the evil tycoon, a major miscalculation on Larsson's part. The tycoon's empire has nothing to do with the theme of violence against women which has linked Lisbeth's story to the Vanger case, and the last 50 pages are inevitably anticlimactic. Juicy melodrama obscured by the intricacies of problem-solving. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
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The unexplained death/disappearance of Harriet Vanger 40 yrs ago still haunts the days and nights of her uncle Henrik. Henrik Vanger. Henrik has lots of money and not so much time now that he is 80. He has decided to give it one last try to solve the mystery of her demise.
This story is quite raw at times and has sexual violence that is graphic, it is not a story for the queasy. But it is thrilling, edgy, raw, exciting and though the mystery of Harriet is solved we are still left with the bigger mystery of Salander, who is she and how did she get that way?
If you can get past the sexual content, this is a gripping, well written (even in translation) and very well thought out series. Larsson does a good job of unobtrusively introducing elements which become significant only much later (see Chekhov's gun).
The film adaptation with subtitles is also well done, with only very minor deviations from the book, and is a fair compromise if you're not up to reading the book.
So I certainly get why that’s so popular. I really loved the character of the girl with the tattoo. I found the first 100 pages a bit draggy as well as the last 50 or so but the 300-odd pages in between were real page-turners. But I really don’t have anything new to add here.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is overhyped and overrated. The story is unoriginal and unbelieveable, the characters cartoonish archvillains or near superheros, the grisly torture scenes truly offensive. I don't get its popularity, but I suspect it's due to a lot of closet pervs who enjoy reading about sadism and violent rape. Unless you have a steel stomach, avoid this one. The Swedish settings and cultural differences do make this interesting at times.
Fast-faced, interesting if somewhat stereotypical characters, with lots of surprises. Great beach read.
I read this book before I knew there was going to be a movie and it was fantastic.
Though the beginning was somewhat hard to get through, Larsson keeps you hooked once he steps the pacing up a knotch.
This is a clear example of masterful pacing and gripping character development. Blomkvist and Lisbeth will charm you, repulse you and definitely take you for one hell of a ride.
I highly recommend reading this - provided you have a good supply of coffee and tea for the next morning at work. This is a true page turner!
@hudek - how is this a "woman's book"? written by a man - and the original title in Swedish translates to "men who hate women" - Now I do agree, that it could do with some editing, since almost everyone I've talked to agrees that it was hard to get into (but once you do, it is well worth it!)
There is way to much to say about this book. I'm going to start by pointing out that I'm 20 and am usually a more avid reader of the "teenager" books like Hunger Games or Dean Kootz books.
I looked on here for a review that stated the persons age and book preference because I really didn't know if this book was for me. Especially with the slow start-out of the book. But, I loved it.
The first 100 pages or so were a BIT hard to get through. Not that they were especially boring, but that it just felt like it was dragging along to something that would be much bigger. That "something bigger" took off quickly and didn't stop. I could NOT put this book down. I saytand engulfed it for 6 hours straight while at work. I finished it later that night and got to bed around 3:00 AM. This book is just as amazing as you would expect it to be from all the reviews and credit it has been given.
Do not overlook it, it will blow you away and leave you wanting more - more of Salander and more of Larsson's amazing writing!
Intriguing and suspenseful. Yes, there are some rough spots perhaps because of the translation but I love the nod to Pippi Longstocking, the history and insight to the Swedish psyche, and the post-modern feel of the novel. I visualized the book coming to life and was reminded of some of my favorite films like "Run Lola Run" and "La Femme Nikita."
Oh, please. What starts out as a great premise leads to a big bunch of nothing that is like a tangled ball of wool - it takes a long time to untangle and in the end you just have a hairball.
I don't get the excitement with this book. It meanders endlessly. The characters are strong but, if you want to read good Swedish literature look to Henning Mankell and a host of others. This is not a bad book, in my opinion, but it seems to be more about marketing than actual content.
1st of 3
Excellent read. The story progresses quickly. The summary of statistics on abuse of women in Sweden is an interesting way of giving context with the story. Looking forward to reading remainder of the series.
Following the many characters and settings is somewhat difficult at times but an excellent read.
another real "womans" book.... the first about 270 pages are incredibly boring and a super waste of paper as I see it. It could have been summarized in a few dozen according to me. Its all about some financial take overs and investing, not intriguing stuff to me. Also not too pertinent to teh plot. Yes the characters come up later but that book could be about 400 pages shorter with that thinning.
Later on when the story gets moving, its quite good but the good part is over pretty quick and the book ends.
I liked the murder mystery part and the action parts and the actual applicable story but the financial mumbo jumbo could have been left out.
One of the best books I've ever read! Couldn't put it down. The main characters are wonderful and the details are extraordinary!
Fascinating characters, a non-American locale and a plot with interesting twists and turns. A fun read.
Incredible book - I hope the next one explains the un-answered question - Salander!! One of thise books you just don't want to end!!!
fabulous read with an off centre, strong female character
I really enjoyed the story, but it wasn't a very good translation, which prevented me from loving it.
I had heard this was a good book, but I couldn't get into it.
Fabulous "whodunit", starts a bit slow but then grabs you and doesn't let go. Very easy to read and the character studies are indepth, easy to like or dislike. Sorry this author is no longer with us, but I'm waiting patiently to read his other book.
A very good 'B' novel.
- a little violent at times but a page turner well worth the good reviews
One of my favorite books of the year. I think the 2nd is equally good, and can't wait for the 3rd to come to the US.
Probably the best book I have read this year. Well written considering it is a translation and the suspense will keep you turning all 532 pages.
could not put this book down. such a thriller, i had to find out what happened next. great characters, great plot (and twists), this book has it all. can't wait to read the next in the trilogy.
I had this book recommeded to me with the caveat that I didn't read the description on the back. Good call!
I loved this book, completely couldn't put it down, but the very end (like the last two pages), I did NOT love....
Starts out slowly, but stick with it because once it gets going you won't put it down. Several mysteries in one, really. A nice surprise.
Every time I thought I knew what this book was about, it shifted and I wasn't sure. Part 'closed room mystery', part family saga, with financial espionage thrown in for colour. At times, I found the translation a bit awkward but not enough to prevent enjoyment of the novel. There are some pretty strong themes/ideas in this novel, which may put some readers off.