Forty years ago, Harriet Vanger disappeared off the secluded island owned and inhabited by the powerful Vanger family. There was no corpse, no witnesses, no evidence. But her uncle, Henrik, is convinced that she was murdered by someone in her own family - the deeply dysfunctional Vanger clan. Disgraced journalist Mikael Blomqvist is hired to investigate, but when he links Harriet's disappearance to a string of gruesome murders from forty years ago, he needs a competent assistant - and he gets one: computer hacker Lisbeth Salander - a tattoed, truculent, angry girl who rides a motorbike like a Hell's Angel and handles makeshift weapons with the skill born of remorseless rage. This unlikely pair form a fragile bond as they delve into the sinister past of this island-bound, tightly-knit family. But the Vangers are a secretive lot, and Mikael and Lisbeth are about to find out just how far they're prepared to go to protect themselves - and each other.
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'Stieg Larsson is the best Swedish crime writer of the decade' Kristianstadbladet.
'A violently entertaining trilogy ... may it never end' Arbetarbladet.
'A huge, 500-plus-page opus, a multilayered, multi-character tale by a writer of some considerable power. Full of social conscience and compassion, with great insight into the nature of moral corruption, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo just knocked me out. During the time I had my nose stuck in its pages, I was thoroughly consumed by the work, and in those periods when I had to put the book down, I found myself grumpy and anxious to return to Larsson's narrative ... when I finally put the book down, I was still unable to sleep, my head filled with the high-definition world that this author has crafted ... already I'm thinking this could be remembered as the best crime novel of 2008 ... This book shows how exhilarating crime fiction can be' Ali Karim, The Rap Sheet website.
'A publishing sensation, an accomplished crime writer who seemingly came from nowhere ... a memorable debut and deserves most of the hype with which it is being published in this country ... Crime fiction has seldom needed to salute and mourn such a stellar talent as Larsson's in the same breath' Sunday Times.
'The ballyhoo is fully justified ... At over 500 pages this hardly sagged ... The novel scores on every front - character, story, atmosphere' The Times.
'What a cracking novel! I haven't read such a stunning thriller debut for years. The way Larsson interweaves his two stories had me in thrall from beginning to end. Brilliantly written and totally gripping' Minette Walters.
'A violently entertaining trilogy ... may it never end' Arbetarbladet.
'A huge, 500-plus-page opus, a multilayered, multi-character tale by a writer of some considerable power. Full of social conscience and compassion, with great insight into the nature of moral corruption, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo just knocked me out. During the time I had my nose stuck in its pages, I was thoroughly consumed by the work, and in those periods when I had to put the book down, I found myself grumpy and anxious to return to Larsson's narrative ... when I finally put the book down, I was still unable to sleep, my head filled with the high-definition world that this author has crafted ... already I'm thinking this could be remembered as the best crime novel of 2008 ... This book shows how exhilarating crime fiction can be' Ali Karim, The Rap Sheet website.
'A publishing sensation, an accomplished crime writer who seemingly came from nowhere ... a memorable debut and deserves most of the hype with which it is being published in this country ... Crime fiction has seldom needed to salute and mourn such a stellar talent as Larsson's in the same breath' Sunday Times.
'The ballyhoo is fully justified ... At over 500 pages this hardly sagged ... The novel scores on every front - character, story, atmosphere' The Times.
'What a cracking novel! I haven't read such a stunning thriller debut for years. The way Larsson interweaves his two stories had me in thrall from beginning to end. Brilliantly written and totally gripping' Minette Walters.
Review
Brilliantly written...the characters are superbly drawn and the story grips from first to last - 5 stars
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By M Norman
Format:Paperback
Okay...I admit it...I just don't get the whole Stieg Larsson hysteria. After all the hype, I had been relishing getting stuck into this - but in the end I just thought it was a very average thriller. I've tried to be objective about it - maybe I was affected by the hyperbole, maybe I was in the wrong mood, maybe I expected too much, maybe, maybe, maybe...but when all's said and done, I don't think any of that was the case. At the risk of committing literary heresy, I just think this is a not-very-good thriller. There. I've said it.
I know it's a worldwide phenomenon. I know I'm in a minority. But I didn't like it. There are plenty of people who will disagree with me - and Lord knows, it's just one opinion - but I honestly can't put my hand on my heart and say it was even okay.
Whilst I thought the premise was promising (eccentric tycoon commissions disgraced investigative journalist to solve a 40-year-old mysterious disappearance), the plotting was leaden, most of the characters irredeemably unlikeable (with the possible exception of Salander) and the sub-plots completely detached and irrelevant.
I'm not going to be so crass as to suggest how the late Larsson might have written it differently - I'm not qualified to do that - but I do think I was forced to spend an unholy amount of time at the start being given reasons to dislike the central character Michael Blomqvist, finding out more than I needed to know (in the context of relevance to the core storyline) about how he came to commit the libel that will ultimately land him in prison and generally being taken through a series of scenarios and situations that, I discovered, have little, if anything, to do with the key plot.
It's not even as though the story (or finale) is remarkably unique. Whilst it's true to say the solution to the puzzle isn't obvious, neither is it so outlandishly surprising or shocking that it redeems the turgidity of some of what precedes it.
In truth, I feel somewhat silly writing all this. Surely I must be missing something? Talking to my father, who loved it, I can't avoid the creeping suspicion that I have overlooked some aspect or element of the book that has elicited the oohs and ahhs of appreciation that I have heard from so many others. If it's there, then I am either horribly under-appreciative, fiendishly difficult to please or simply stupid. Or perhaps everyone else is a gullible victim of publisher rhetoric. The only way to judge is to read it for yourself.
I know it's a worldwide phenomenon. I know I'm in a minority. But I didn't like it. There are plenty of people who will disagree with me - and Lord knows, it's just one opinion - but I honestly can't put my hand on my heart and say it was even okay.
Whilst I thought the premise was promising (eccentric tycoon commissions disgraced investigative journalist to solve a 40-year-old mysterious disappearance), the plotting was leaden, most of the characters irredeemably unlikeable (with the possible exception of Salander) and the sub-plots completely detached and irrelevant.
I'm not going to be so crass as to suggest how the late Larsson might have written it differently - I'm not qualified to do that - but I do think I was forced to spend an unholy amount of time at the start being given reasons to dislike the central character Michael Blomqvist, finding out more than I needed to know (in the context of relevance to the core storyline) about how he came to commit the libel that will ultimately land him in prison and generally being taken through a series of scenarios and situations that, I discovered, have little, if anything, to do with the key plot.
It's not even as though the story (or finale) is remarkably unique. Whilst it's true to say the solution to the puzzle isn't obvious, neither is it so outlandishly surprising or shocking that it redeems the turgidity of some of what precedes it.
In truth, I feel somewhat silly writing all this. Surely I must be missing something? Talking to my father, who loved it, I can't avoid the creeping suspicion that I have overlooked some aspect or element of the book that has elicited the oohs and ahhs of appreciation that I have heard from so many others. If it's there, then I am either horribly under-appreciative, fiendishly difficult to please or simply stupid. Or perhaps everyone else is a gullible victim of publisher rhetoric. The only way to judge is to read it for yourself.
792 of 829 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have just finished reading this book which was recommended to me by a friend. As someone who is not usually a crime fiction fan (I certainly never buy them), I was not very enthusiastic about it but had some curiousity because of the rave reviews it was getting in other areas also. I found the beginning of the book a bit tedious and was starting to think it was not for me, but, all of a sudden, it got a grip and I found that I was most reluctant to put it down! I have now had the satisfaction of finishing it this morning after a record reading time. I found the book most entertaining, evoking many differing emotions - suspense, disgust, intrigue, and some laughs also. The location being in Sweden was interesting and the translation certainly did not affect the impact of the storytelling. The two main characters were likeable and I grew fond of them and found myself caring about them. The author certainly can reach the reader and at the end, my main emotion was one of satisfaction. I certainly intend to the read his other two books.
Jean Ross
Jean Ross
73 of 76 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
My overall impression of `The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' is positive and I will remember a lot of the strong aspects of the writing, notably the unique characterisation and the Nordic backdrop described. Central to the plot are Kalle' Blomquist, a journalist convicted of libel who serves out his penance between jail and the isolated wilds of Norrland + Lisbeth Salander, an expert system hacker and all-round investigator. Blomquist is employed to investigate the unsolved disappearance of Harriet Vanger in the 1960's. At first he is not really interested but as Blomquist delves into the complex layers of the horrible Vanger dynasty he picks up clues that will ultimately lead to the truth, amid a Silence of the Lambs tale of horror. The social misfit Salander is the star of the book; a complex irrational character who joins up with Blomquist after originally being employed to investigate him. Together the expose the horrible truth and then set about taking down the corrupt businessman that Blomquist had supposedly libelled. It is a bleak tale with no clean cut heroes - Blomquist is clever but lacking in common sense and with awkward social skills in dealing with women. There is a struggle in reading the book where the narrative is over descriptive and long winded, particularly early on when adapting to the style. Sometimes you know what is coming but it takes five extra pages to get there through the extra unnecessary passages. Will have a break before reading the next book - The Girl Who Played with Fire (Millennium Trilogy)
I would advise persevering with the early chapters and wait for the hook the draws you into this harrowing tale.
I would advise persevering with the early chapters and wait for the hook the draws you into this harrowing tale.
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3.8 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent thriller
Excellent story line I'm now reading the second in the trilogy. One of the best thrillers
I have ever read.
I have ever read.
Published 3 days ago by Val
5.0 out of 5 stars
brilliant read!
A real page turner. I was kept enthralled the whole way through it and couldnt put it down. I watched the film trilogy a few months later even though they were in swedishand was... Read more
Published 3 days ago by kathleen fagan
4.0 out of 5 stars
the girl with the dragon tattoo
slow start. didn't really get into this book until chapter 13. when you do get into it, however, it is a good read. didn't like the ending.
Published 5 days ago by verene langdon
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great
I really enjoyed this book like I enjoyed the film!
It was the film but in great detail!
Do it!
It was the film but in great detail!
Do it!
Published 6 days ago by Joseph Atkinson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well worth it
The book had a slow start but all of the intro was necessary for each turn to unfold. It was a very rewarding read.
Published 9 days ago by K. Webb
5.0 out of 5 stars
wow
such a shame that Stieg Larsson died and could write not more books like this series would read and re read. Film is rubbish compared to book
Published 9 days ago by madamcyn1
4.0 out of 5 stars
Difficult to track characters
Difficult to track characters at first,
gripping couldn't put it down,
glad I read it before watching the film
Am moving on to next one!
gripping couldn't put it down,
glad I read it before watching the film
Am moving on to next one!
Published 10 days ago by Avid reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stieg Larsson
I don't read trilogy type books easily but you did a great job in telling this story. Thank you Stieg!
Published 10 days ago by MR J CAMPBELL
4.0 out of 5 stars
A splendid read
A very exciting and interesting story line and characters - I can't wait for the next one in the series.
Published 10 days ago by Anne Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
book review
Love the book and took a friend to see the film bought the three books as a present as I already had them. Great quality and delivery would definately use again.
Published 10 days ago by carolyn
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