Forty years ago, Harriet Vanger disappeared from a family gathering on the island owned and inhabited by the powerful Vanger clan. Her body was never found, yet her uncle is convinced it was murder – and that the killer is a member of his own tightly knit but dysfunctional family.
He employs disgraced financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the tattooed, truculent computer hacker Lisbeth Salander to investigate. When the pair link Harriet’s disappearance to a number of grotesque murders from forty years ago, they begin to unravel a dark and appalling family history.
But the Vangers are a secretive clan, and Blomkvist and Salander are about to find out just how far they are prepared to go to protect themselves
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was a book I was hesitant to read for a long time. When it was released a massive hype and media storm surrounded it; this made me reluctant to buy it, I was scared that this novel would not live up to its expectations and my hopes for a brilliant thriller. However! Despite this, a friend convinced me to read it after she said she could not put it down and so, I read it, and the verdict is that I LOVED it! The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is one of the most incredible, thrilling and exhilarating novels I have ever had the pleasure of reading and along with Gone GirlΒ and Jane Eyre, it is a newly found favorite read of mine. Stieg Larsson’s skill not only as a writer but a storyteller floored me – upon finishing this novel all I could do was sit back in shock and amazement at what a brilliant book I had just read. In my reviews, I like to write a brief description of this book, and although the majority of you will know all about this excellent book, I am still going to write a summary for the readers who are yet to experience this glowing read!
Our story begins in 1966 and follows the mysterious Vanger family. 16-year-old Harriet Vanger, daughter of the CEO of a family-run business (which can only be described as a wealthy empire) known as Vanger Corporations, goes missing from the family’s small island community and is never seen again. No trace of Harriet, not even her body was found. Harriet’s disappearance has always troubled her great-uncle, Henrik Vanger. Henrik has never moved on past Harriet’s disappearance; he desperately wants to know what happened to his beloved and most favorite family member.
The disappearance of Harriet has become Henrik’s obsession over the last 40 years; he has pondered over and over again about what could have possibly happened to Harriett. Sadly, Henrik soon concluded that someone had murdered Harriet but not just anyone… somebody in the Vanger family (now we have ourselves a family mystery book lovers!). Although Henrick believes Harriet was murdered, he nor the police have ever been able to think of a motive or find any potential perpetrators; therefore, he has no idea who to suspect.
Flash forward 39 years and it is now 2005 and Henrik is still obsessed with Harriet’s disappearance. Henrick’s time is running out to find the answers once and for all; He is an ill man with ailing health, he is growing older and sicker with each passing day, so soon, his obsession soon turns to desperation. In his desperation, Henrik decides to spend his riches on hiring an investigator to investigate Harriet’s disappearance so that he can indulge in his obsession one more time… once and for all before his time runs out.
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At this point in the novel, we meet the protagonist of the story, Mikael Blomkvist. Mikael is a forty-something-year-old financial journalist and editor of Millennium magazine; a magazine which he co-founded which prides itself on investigative journalism. Blomkvist, however, and the magazine have suffered a significant blow recently, and he has been convicted and found guilty of libel against one of the most prominent entrepreneurs in Sweden: Hans-Erik Wennerstrom. It is crucial for me to mention Hans-Erik Wennerstrom because he and this subplot plays a considerable part in the latter part of the novel.
Mikael, with his name in poor-reputation, wants to keep a low-profile (understandably so!) and so, he pretends that he has been fired from the magazine to save it from further scrutiny from the media as well as the vicious Wennerstrom. Henrik Vanger is a man of many talents, one of those talents is scouting the right man for the right job. Henrick has been following Mikael and his career for a long time, he admires his journalistic skills, and when he learns of Mikael’s leave of absence, he sees this as an opportunity to hire Mikael and his resourceful knowledge to solve Harriet’s disappearance.
Henrick soon arranges a meeting, and upon Mikael and Henrik’s gathering, the reader learns that Mikael’s father worked once for the Vanger Corporation and Harriet herself had babysat little Mikael a few times. This, unlike the Wennerstrom snippet, is not an essential part of knowledge to the story. However, it does add another depth to this novel, and it helps with Mikael’s later decision.
Henrik jumps at the opportunity of hiring Mikael, and so he makes him a proposition. The proposition is that he come and live at Henrik’s estate with a year-long contract accompanied with an enormous sum withΒ the ‘pretext’ of writing a history of the family – an autobiography of Henrik. I am sure all of you lovely readers can guess by now that this pretext is false and instead, his real mission is to discover what has happened to dear Harriet.
After much convincing and reluctance from Mikael, he finally agrees to take Henrick up on his offer, even though he knows that this is a troubling case as well as a challenging, delicate task and so, he needs help. Now the reader meets the second protagonist of the novel, Lisbeth Salander. Lisbeth is a brilliant, quiet, secretive young woman who excels at her ‘job’ as a masterful, genius hacker. Lisbeth is a woman with a troubled past and an even more troubling present; she is typically a closed book, but she sees something in Mikael. Somehow, he earns her trust and frankly, it takes her by surprise. So begins The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo as this enigmatic duo team up to discover the truth about Harriet’s disappearance.
Book lovers, I am so sorry for my very long synopsis! I get carried away when writing a review of a book I love. It is a novel I am madly in love with; it is mysterious, haunting, twisted and suspenseful… all qualities I love in a mystery! The secrets the reader uncovers will shock you to your core; already I would have to implore you lovely readers to read this book if you have not yet. It is too brilliant to be missed!
At this point in my review, I believe it is essential to write about Larsson’s inspiration for his novel but I warn you, it is incredibly harrowing.Β Larsson’s inspiration for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo comes from a tragic and unsettling incident a young Larsson witnessed at the tender age of just 15. Larsson spoke of how he stood by as three men gang-raped an acquaintance of his named Lisbeth. Larsson, days later, was racked with guilt for having done nothing to help her and begged desperately for her forgiveness…she refused. The incident he said has haunted him for all of his life and in part inspired him to create a character named Lisbeth Salander who is also a rape survivor in the novel. This inspiration is heartrendingly sad, and I was shocked when I read about it. I think readers who know this, will gain an even better understanding of Lisbeth and that is important considering she is the focus of the novel.
The crime elements within these pages are terrifying, and unlike anything I read before and again, I can’t mention it without referring to Larsson’s other line of inspiration. Larsson’s crime inspiration for his novel comes from the murder of Catrine de Costa. Catrine de Costa was a 28-year-old Swedish prostitute who was murdered and horrifically had her body dismembered and placed in separate plastic bags all over Sweden. What is worse is that the killer was never found and ‘him’ setting those bags all over Sweden was a horrible twisted game he was playing with the police.
Larsson as a writer certainly had a very unusual, but an incredible way of thinking and learning about his inspiration for this novel will bring you closer to it and help you understand it better. I just wish poor Larsson was alive today so I could pick his brain about all things The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo!
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo could be labeled as only a ‘crime mystery’ however I think differently. I believe that this novel is so much more than a generic piece of crime fiction; it could never be generalized because it is special, unique. Larsson managed to add depths and layers to this novel which I have never before have come across with a crime novel.
Instead of being ‘just a crime mystery,’ it is the story of a woman’s survival, a story of crime, a story of disordered personalities as well as family relationships. It is more than a mystery, it is an entity of its own, and so I do hope that you lovely readers read this excellent book.
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Lisbeth Salander, where do I start? Lisbeth has to be the most incredible protagonist in the history of publishing. Lisbeth is an introverted, intricate, intriguing young woman; she is a woman who has a fantastic narrative, it grabs you from the first page and hooks you to the last. Lisbeth is not only an intriguing woman; she is a survivor, she has been surviving her whole life. She has survived the horrific state care system she had grown up in; in which she experienced unspeakable acts. She is surviving the prejudices which have sadly been placed upon her throughout her life. She is a remarkable woman for this alone but even more so because she has been surviving all by herself, with no help or support system. Lisbeth is a strong, authentic, poignant character and one of my favorite protagonists of all time.
As a lover of literature, I have to give praise to Larsson for writing such an exceptional novel. His writing will engross, enthrall and entertain you from the very first sentence; ever since the first sentence I was hooked. From that moment onwards I knew it was going to be an unforgettable read and it was! Larsson was a gifted writer; his words held such power over me and the millions of other readers his words touch.
It is tragically sad that Larson never knew the success of his Millennium series and what a critical read it became – especially for survivors. I am sure the majority of you know of Larsson’s fate, but in case you do not, I will enlighten.
Larsson had always only ever been a Journalist and Nazi specialist; however one day he decided to put pen to paper and write a book series. He walked to his publisher and handed his three manuscripts up front, but sadly, just a few days later he tragically died… he never knew the success of his novels, and that is so incredibly sad to me.
The next few paragraphs in my review are going to contain a few spoilers so if you do not know what happens in this book and do not want to be spoiled, then please skip to the spoiler-free sections which will be highlighted!
SPOILER – Having finished reading The Girl With the DragonΒ Tattoo and learning of Martin Vanger’s true nature; I can’t help but see the shocking resemblance between him and his father’s gruesome crimes (but also the inspiration of the true-life murder of Catrine de Costa). As I am writing of how grotesque and immoral Martin’s crimesΒ were, I have to mention that the crimes in this book are equally, if not more grotesque than the crime of Catrine de Costa; which is still a very shocking thought to me.
TheΒ crime in this novel could surpass that of a real-life horror show. If you do not mind reading about gruesome murders and crimes and in fact, have an interest in them then, of course, this is a book which you would revel in because the crimes were so disturbing that it makes your head spin with thoughts and feelings which you would not typically be accustomed. This is yet another reason why I loved this novel because as a lover of psychology and criminology alike, I was in my element!
SPOILER – At this point, I feel that I should write down my thoughts on the ending, not the conclusion but the ending and climax of the Vanger family saga and Martins murders. When Mikael was taken captive and strung up like a carcass by Martin, my first thought was ‘Yes! Now, this is going to be intense’ and intense it was! The conversation was raw, enticing and thrilling; so thrilling that I wanted it to last longer!
To summarise my thoughts on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, I would say that this exceptional novel is a steady, streamlined, thrilling, gripping read which is distributing and creepy at the same. If you adore compelling mystery crime novels, then this indeed is the book for you and I have no choice but to give this incredible book five stars!
Thank you so much for reading my review book lovers! I appreciate it so much. I truly adore talking with all of you lovely readers so please do comment below and let me know all of those wonderful thoughts of yours! Let me know whether you have read this novel but also let me know if you haven’t and whether you would like to; I hope my review would have convinced you! If you have not read the book but have seen the movie then let me know your thoughts and whether you liked the movie or the TV series; I would love to know! If you have read the rest of the series too then please let me know whether they are worth me picking up! Thank you so much again!
Goodbye for now book lovers,
P.S. Here is a preview of the book for all of you lovely readers to enjoy! Please have a read of the preview and if you find that you have loved what you have read then all you need to do is click the Buy on Amazon button and it will take you straight to the book on Amazon USA! If you are in the U.K. then below I have attached a link to the book for the Amazon U.K. website. Please see attached a Book Depository link for those that are international! Thank you so much again for reading book lovers, I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this book!
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo:Β Amazon U.K.Β –Β Book DepositoryΒ –Β Publisher; Penguin Random House
Mini Movie Review
As this novel is now a movie I feel the need to quickly divulge my thoughts on it! I personally thought that the movie was insanely good and a perfect adaption of the book. The director David Fincher has a habit of adapting novels incredibly well, as we saw with Gone Girl which is one of my favorite books and movies of all time! I thought how the story was told was incredible and Fincher perfectly captured the harsh, cold setting of Sweden. The casting too was superb, especially Rooney Mara for Lisbeth; she was just amazing and I really implore all of you to watch the movie also!
Thank you so much again for reading book lovers!
Love your reviews! I love following your blog/website because you always post so many reviews that are all different and unique from each other which is rare today so great job! Also as I adore your blog so much and want you to win I have nominated you for the Liebster Award. Keep up the great work and you will always have a follower in me now! You do such great work!
Oh wow thank you for the lovely comment Wanda! I am so pleased that you enjoy my reviews so much. Your blog by the way is great too! Keep up the great work and I will be sure to follow you back too. Have a lovely day! Thank you for the nomination too, that is so kind and I will be sure to have a look at the process.
What a thorough review! I love your reviews so much and have been reading them as well as sharing them for years now. I love books and you always review such a great collection. It has been years since I read this series of books, but through the years it has stayed with me indelibly and your review has made me want to re-read the entire series. Lisbeth ks one of the most unforgettable and inspiring characters I can ever remember reading. Such a gripping story as well. I loved it wildly.Keep reviewing and I will keep reading!
Thank you Kim! I am so pleased you enjoy my reviews and have been reading them for years now. I too love this book and although I have not read the series yet I am desperate to and am excited to do so! Thank you for the lovely comment, have a lovely day!
I have read the book last year and thought it was awesome as well! Lisbeth was a very compelling and intriguing character. Your amazing review has made me want to re-read it and I will do that as soon as I can. I love your reviews they always make me want to read and re-read books I have loved so thanks!
Aww thanks so much Samantha! I loved your comment and thank you for your sweet words. Lisbeth really is an amazing character and the book is wonderful so be sure to have a read again ! Thanks again Samantha.
You are so talented!!!!!! love your reviews and enjoy reading them and sharing them with my friends so much. Keep up the amazing work!
Aww thank you Joce you have made my day!!
Great review of the book. Love your visuals to add depth to your writing. You are very ambitious. Amazing how many of us out there love books. I know I may be older than your normal reader but I do really enjoy your reviews even the ones for your YA books because you write so in-depth which is rare to come across. Keep up the fantastic work.
Thank you John! Your sweet words have made my day. I am so pleased that you liked my review. Your kind words have made my day and are very encouraging. Thank you again and keep reading!
I saw the movie and loved it, but I really want to read the book now. Knowing how it was probably a way for Larsson to exorcise the demons of his past makes it that much more fascinating. Thanks for a thorough review.
Thanks J.S.! Your sweet comment has made my day and I loved the movie so much! Of course the book has a lot of detail so I would recommend reading the book too and you loved the movie so you will love the book even more! Thanks again J.S..
I’ve been intending to read this book for ages and your excellent and thorough review has made me move it a long way forward on my TBR list. Whenever I read one of your reviews I always trust your opinion as i have been reading your reviews for months now and you are so honest always but never negative which is so refreshing. I will be sure to add this to my TBR pile and let you know how I get on. Thanks again Aimee!
Thanks for the sweet comment Millie! I adore you so much for writing your sweet words and encouraging me. I adore your website too and will have another look after writing my reply. Thanks again Millie!
I love this trilogy so much, and even if I know the fourth novel doesn’t really have all that much to do with the first three, I do own that one as well. It’s really too bad his family wanted all the money, even if Larsson’s girlfriend had basically co-written all the books with him. That’s the reason why the almost finished manuscript is still not released.
Great review π
Thanks for the comment Lexxie! So pleased you liked my review and thank you for sharing your thoughts that is so great! It is a shame that happened but at least we have three books by him to enjoy!
I liked this book, but didn’t love it and I never picked up any of the sequels. I’m interested to know if you read them and if you think the story gets better as it progresses through the other books. They probably won’t be at the top of my reading list, but I would give them a try on your recommendation.
Thanks for the comment I appreciate it so much!
I just finished reading this book a few weeks ago for the 4th time and it is still great. I don’t usually like the movie version of a book, but this time it was different. I loved it.
This post has a good flow to it. Keep it up.
Oh my god. I never knew these things about his book. Everyone (or at least most of the bookish people I know) raves about this through & through. I’m never a fan of reading books with heavy mentions of rape but I’m willing… so so willing to check this out AS SOON AS POSSIBLE now. Thanks to you, really. I’m especially intrigued by Larsson’s inspirations and this female MC, Lisbeth. Give me a good strong survivor anytime and I’ll go with a smile! Awesome review you wrote there! (Though I skimmed slightly when you mentioned about the ending so that… Read more »
This is such an incredible comment thank you so much. I truly love talking to fellow book lovers so I love this! You MUST check this book out because it truly is ripping. I too stay away from ‘survivor stories’ but going into this book you don’t realise it is one. It is not just one thing it is multiple things because it has so many different depths and layers! When you read it you must tell me your thoughts! (:
Lisbeth Salander is an amazing character invention and a big inspiration to me and my work. (I often quote her alongside Hannibal Lecter as being the best examples of the anti-hero.) I need to read the fourth book as Langercratz has had good reviews for it.
As for the films: both Noomi Rapace and Rooney Mara captured different sides of Salander so effectively, but I’d give Mara the edge.
Your website too is great, love the wide varirty of reviews and how you welcome all comments and views.
WONDERFUL REVIEW! I actually adore your reviews and get happy everytime I see your notification. Your reviews are always so indepth and well written and compell me to read the book so keep up the fantastic work!
Aww thanks so much for the enthusastic comment! I loved the book and am so happy you enjoyed my review and all reviews! Comments like yours keep me going. Thanks so much!
Hello Aimee,
I loved your review! Its so well written, I wish I were that good with review writing! Makes me want to red that book now! Great Job!
Aww thanks so much Arpita! Your sweet comment has made my day and I appreciate it so much. I just had a browse of your website and it is so great! I love what you are posting and thank you again for your sweet comment!
Good review. I hope you get a chance to read the rest of the series.
So do I! Thank you for commenting! P.s. I am so sorry for only just replying I found this in my spam which is bizarre!
Fantastic review! I love this book and I love your website too. Been an avid follower for years now and love how you are always pushing boundaries with the norm of reviews. Also love how you lace bits about yourself in your reviews, that is great and so unique! Keep up the phenomenal work I will always read now.
Thank you so much Huntersjones! Wow that is so sweet of you to write and so kind that you took the time to comment. I love reviewing so it is really amazing that you love my reviews. Thank you again!
I adore the Millennium series! There’s nothing like an amazingly written, chunky novel to get my blood pumping. I just picked up the fourth volume recently and while I’m super excited to read it based purely on my need to know what has happened since the third book, I’m hesitant because it’s not Larsson. Though, I’ve heard that David Lagercrantz leaves it open for a few more books. I can’t wait to see what you think of the rest of the series!
Larsson did a really amazing job of wrapping up the main plot of the first three novels but still leaving enough questions to involve a fourth book and actually had an incomplete manuscript that was left in the possession of her girlfriend at the time of his death. However, because they weren’t married so had no right to his work. There was some drama, if I remember correctly between her, the publishers and his surviving family that retained the rights when he passed. I believe his editor wanted to finish what he had started but the family refused? Apparently the… Read more »
Thank you for the lovely comment Kay! I loved the first book and thought the writing was exceptional! I am excited to eventually read the next two books and will be sure to write reviews on them when I do. Thank you again!
I loved this book as well. Really love your in-depth review and anaylis of the book. You should expand on the movie review section that would make a great feature.
Thanks for the lovely comment Eric! I am so pleased that you liked my review and the book. Also I would love to eventually expand into movie reviews but I might create a separate website for that. Thanks again Eric!
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!!!!!I agree with everything you just wrote! It was such an amazing plot and both Lisbeth and Erika are some of my favorite female characters of all time, because both are badass in their own way. I never knew about the inspiration for the novelX and now that I do I have a whole new appreciation for everything that Iβve read. Iβm so scared to read Girl with the spider web because I feel like itβll be a letdown. As a side note I adore your reviews and really enjoy how in-depth they are so… Read more »
Hi Ayunda! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I am so pleased that you liked my review and loved the book as well! It really is a great book and I agree with what you wrote too! Lisbeth is a phenomenal and memorable character and everybody should know about her character! Thank you also for your encouraging words it has made my day, thank you!
Hello! Iβve nominated you for the Real Neat Blog Award. I’ve explained all about it here: https://paradigmshifter0912.wordpress.com/2017/06/14/real-neat-blog-award-pure-fun/. Thanks! π
Hi Juvie! You are so sweet thank you so much!
Welcome! π
I am going to go have a look at your link now and read your post! Thanks so much again (:
I’m curious have you read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo? (:
Noooo. Not yet π But I do have the movie. Not sure though if I should start with that… π Whatchathink? π
If you feel like you can’t read the book for a while then definitely watch the American movie, it is great! And then read the book afterwards (:
I’ll do that. Thanks! π π π I’ll *try to* write a review of the movie once done. Hehe π
Oh please do I would love to read that! (:
I’d start with the movie, then π Thanks! <3 <3 <3
You are so welcome! You will have to come back and let me know what you thought of the movie (:
Definitely! I’ll try to find the copy and if it’s with me I’ll watch it on my rest day π
Aww great! Can’t wait for you to see it. It is very dark but also incredible (:
I am curious have you read or watched Gone Girl? That is another perfect movie and novel!
I’ve seen it. I liked it! It was recommened by a friend. He said it was a good movie and it was! π
It’s an amazing movie but again the book is so much greater. Plus much much darker! You should definitely read it (:
My favourite crime novel (series) of all time!
And many thanks for the follow on my blog! π
Hi Jude! Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting that is so kind of you! No problem at all, your blog is amazing and I adore it (:
Thank you so much! ππβΊπ
This novel truly is amazing and it too is one of my favourite crime novels. Although I am still yet to read the rest of this series! Do the books get better or worse or just the same? Lol.
Wow!! I think I should give this book a try. Coincidentally, my friend has also been suggesting this book to me these days and she even downloaded the movie for me bcoz I was skeptical about the book! Now after reading your review and the fact that everyone is so intrigued by the book, I’m going to give it a try!! π Thankq fr the reviewππ
Thank you for your comment this is so lovely thank you so much!!
Oh this book is amazing and you need to read it! The movie is pretty amazing also, I actually loved the movie so much but of course with novels there is so much more information!
Yes, I always find the novels more interesting, they have a way of nicely building up the character backgrounds, something which we don’t get with movies
And if I happen to read the novel first, I always end up comparing it to the movie to check for plot changes and vice versa π
π
This book remains one of my absolute favorite book of all time and I always recommend it to anyone looking for a good crime story/mystery. I also enjoy the other two books in the series and for now, it is my favorite trilogy until I reread them because I always discover new things while rereading. I won’t bother to watch the movie/s or TV show because they wouldn’t do the characters enough justice. You might just be my all-time favorite book reviewer. You take your time to write it up and you’re always thorough.
It really is a great mystery and crime story, it is incredible. I need to read the other books but I am hesitant. I loved the first one so much so I worry that the rest won’t be as good! What do you think are they as good? (:
They are. Don’t stop there, girl, complete the trilogy. Even if you don’t like them you can tell us about it on your blog. I plan to reread them soon.
No. I drew my line at the 3rd. I don’t want to take away from his legacy.
Yes! I want to know your thoughts. π
Thank you so much!!! This is so lovely of you too say. I am so happy that you enjoy my reviews! Thank you for always being so kind (:
You’re most welcome.Your reviews are wonderful!
Hahaha! π
There is no need to apologize at all. ^^
Whoah! How nostalgic. Looks like I’ll never be too busy not to pay your site a visit. Thanks for this! <3 I think its always amazing to see updated write ups, insights and whatnot about books/stories and authors we like.
Aww great! I must hear what you think now of both the book and the movie (:
Oh wow this is amazing and so insightful! Thank you for your epic comment I adored this!
Thanks for your sweet comment Magsi! I am so glad you like my reviews!
I liked the Swedish version of the movie best but the novel is just chock full of twists, turns and revelations! A wonderful trilogy that hooks readers from all parts of society and the world.
Books do always hold a magical power though because they are full of so much more information!
Do you read many novels like this? (:
Yes I am a big Nordic crime reader!
This is amazing! Do you have any recommendations? I would love to hear of some great books!
I love the Swedish books by HΓ₯kan Nesser, Karin Altvegen, Camilla Lackberg and Liza Marklund. Also great thrillers are written by Lars Kepler. Danish writers of crime I like Elsebeth Egholm and for Norwegian: Authors Karin Fossum, Anne Holt, and of course the fantastic Jo NesbΓΈ. I have some reviews on some of these on my blog. Some have been made into movies or mini series. Holt, Marklund, Lackberg and Egholm have female protagonists. Is that too much information to start with? If so I apologise. You can see I am quite a fan!! I hope to convert you!!
Have fun. I am sure you will enjoy them. The list is not exhaustive either. There is more but I didn’t want to overwhelm You!
Headhunters is a movie from Nesbo’s book of the same name. Lisa Marklund’s Annika Bengtzon series has been made for TV, as have Henning Mankind’s Wallender series. ( The Swedish version trumps the British version), Smilla’s feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg has been made into a movie (Danish novel) to name a few. Check imdb fir more details. The Bridge is an excellent series but not sure if there was a book. Nesbo’s wrote a TV series called Occupied which is amazing. Egholm’ s Dicte series is also on TV but it is subtitled here. I don’t mind subtitled… Read more »
This is such a wealth of information this is so amazing! Thank you so much, I am going to have a look at all these movies / Tv series now!
Have fun!
I will do! Thank you so much (:
Oh I love subtitled movies and Tv shows, but I can only watch them if the show or movie is worth it! If that makes sense!
I think if you don’t watch the subtitled ones, you are missing out on so many good ones, particularly from Scandinavia. But I do understand what you mean.
Exactly!
I also have a page on the main menu on Scandinavian authors but the individual Reviews are here: forestwoodfolkart.wordpress.com/books-book-reviews-book-releases-a-work-in-progress/
Aww great! Thank you so much I am going to have a look at your link now – thank you for linking it!
Yes, I think it will give you a different and perhaps better impression of the story.
That makes perfect sense actually I guess it would! I am really keen to watch the series now! Thanks so much!
Let me know what you think!
I will do thank you so much!!
Have you read the rest of the series? (:
Yes, I have read all of them including the last which was NOT written by Stein as he had passed away by then
How was that one because I have heard that it was not that great?
I feel that the author was trying to keep the same style but one could tell it just didn’t have the edge that the other’s did. You will have to let me know how you found it.
I believed that the fourth book in the millenium series was never finished, and it was his father that refused to publish it as is. I also understood, perhaps incorrectly that the fourth book was based on that story that Larsson half finished.
Thank you for updating my knowledge though! (:
It is only what I heard in one report. It may just be rumour!
Auto correct on my phone changed Stieg in the previous comment. Of course I meant Stieg not Stein.
That is the trouble with phones!!!
That is a surprise, but a blog is a little bit different, sort of like writing letters.
till now I havent picked it, the same case, till now i didnt found it that attractive to buy. is it good? some of my friends read and told me it is. well.. thanks for the detailed review. ruchir.
Thank you so much for commenting again Ruchir I appreciate it so much!
Oh this book really is good and is definitely worth reading!
Have you seen the movies or the Tv series? (:
well no π
Aww the movie is really great but I would still try and read the book beforehand as it has so much more detail!
Completely agree with everything you’ve just said! I ADORED this book! Like you I was a little hesitant to read it, but after the first chapter I was completely hooked and couldn’t stop until I’d finished it! I’d highly recommend his other works too, if you haven’t read them yet. Great post! xx
Oh then I will definitely have to read these next books! Thanks (:
Are you reading anything at the moment? (:
Ooo I’ve read that too! How are you finding it so far? (:
I am so pleased you liked my review and loved the book! The book really is great and I am so happy you enjoyed it! Thanks again!
I agree with you there its so tragic that the man behind such amazing series of books will never know what his work means for some…Lisbeth Salander is such a complicated character with mix of both light and dark…movie was good cause rooney mara was fantastic but nothing beats a book…
Have you read the rest of the series? (:
read them all…his 3 books and the new 4th as well..waiting for the 5th one…
Are the second and third one good? I have been meaning to read the rest of the series but something has been stopping me!
Second book is really good more mystery..actually interesting ..as for the third one, well its kind of a continuation…you have to read third because the second one continues…its a long story second and third…but i loved it… second and third book will make you what a brilliant mind Lisbeth has…
Now I am interested! So it is definitely worth me reading? I just LOVE the character of Lisbeth so much and as long as it has her and her awesome ways then I am sold!
book 2 is highly recommended…its totally lisbeth…
Oh this sounds great! I promise I will read this soon and then we can discuss all about it! (:
looking forward to your thoughts on book 2 and lisbeth…
I can’t wait! (:
So wait are the second and third almost the same storyline or case/ crime etc?
second/third has diff case..its more about lisbeth…
Oh is it really? See I always thought that it would all mainly focus on a case and there would just be a little bit about her.
i have this pull towards female protagonists ..Cause a strong woman in lead always makes even the worst story a bearable one…and lisbeth is an extraordinary character…no wonder Rooney Mara had hard time to portray her…
She is such an amazing character. Have you read Lola by Melissa Love? I just reviewed it and it has a strong female protagonist so you will love that!
i have been meaning to read it for a long time…have heard good things about it… π any book with a strong female protagonist must not be left unread…
Haha yes! Read it and then let me know what you thought (:
Definitely…The second best part about a reading a book with strong female protagonist is discussing it… π when i read one of the books that i have recommended (wont tell the name right now) and one of the main character died…i mourned for days and wanted to find a soul with whom i could discuss that what a mean thing it was for the author to kill that person… ahahahaha
But yes, I love discussing books too and that is why I love talking to you so much! (:
I was just thinking about today one of my very very close friend & I became friends over books….ofcourse we didn’t bond over intellectual books but over Nancy Drew…guess for a teenager Nancy Drew is the intellectual stuff..hahaha…
Books, i think Lisbeth Salander, got us talking…power of fiction …books can connect people … π
true that…i mean you and i could be totally opposite but we have books to find compassion & empathy …books make people more humane & warm…for me its always a happy thing to find a fellow reader since not many of my friends read…
I know with so much in common, I feel if we were in same school we would have been a team…or maybe its my writer mind that like to imagine scenarios..hahaha
hahaha…true…. π
wow! so cool…so cool… π its a crazy but a good-crazy thing to find someone who loves the same thing you do…
Haha it is! (:
it does not begins with A..but now im curious to know which one did you read.. π
its a world war fiction π
Oh damn there are so many! Lol.
The fact that there not though makes me want to read them even more!
i would like to stick a pseudonym, hope that’s okay, let’s call me Virginia. After Virginia Woolf ofcourse, never read her books but find her sharp arrogance, darkness and brilliant writing mind too fascinating…you seem to be a great reader so much better than me, might i suggest a book or two (Hope its not rude)… Vanessa and her Sister and Code Name Verity
Nice to meet you too fellow bookstalker π and what should i call you?
Book stalker I love that!
nice to meet you Aimee… π
Nice to meet you too! (:
yes i would love to give you suggestions, but most of my list is about historical fiction…if that’s your thing i shall send you huge list π i started with Nancy drew was a thriller lover but somewhere i found myself obsessed with historical fiction…
I LOVE historical fiction Virginia !
me too… historical fictions are just so great..infact if i have to be honest i was never good in history, wasnt much attentive in history class as well but now i love historical fiction..
Omg this is the same with me too!
Historical fiction really is the best though because you are learning as you are reading… how great is that!?
absolutely…ive learned more about history from fiction than the school books…
Oh my god me too! Haha.
i guess that’s difference between a good novel and text books from classrooms ..hahahaha…my history teacher wont appreciate this comment..hahaha
Hahah, I am the same though! I never got on with history at school but like you said history with a fictional twist is great!
classical studies degree…that sounds interesting…mind if you tell me more about this field….
Sure what would you like to know?! (:
Exactly what’s it about…is it about studying diff cultures?
I know it is so fascinating!
Truth is I haven’t been to any other land to pick a favourite…so i guess at this moment whole world and every culture is intriguing to me..
I think the day people will open themselves to other cultures is the day world will be a safe place again…because that’s when the fear of unknown will end & so would hate…
I may not have many reviews for the genre on my blog but I adore it.
History is my love, and I have always felt like I was born in the wrong decade so please send me over some great recommendations!
so many, sarah’s keys, the book thief, moon at nine, thousand splendid suns, the kite runner, Aimee and Jaguar, princess, code name verity, flygirl, rose under fire, prisoner of night and fall, the storyteller…will try to think of more… π
Thank you so much I will definitely check these out now on goodreads and let you know my thoughts!
i wonder which one you’ll like the most…though they are all unique in their own way…
I wonder too! Thanks (:
Thank you so much again! I love talking with fellow book lovers and recommending books I love it (:
its always amazing to find people who read..infact im pretty sure some of the books that im suggesting you are the ones i found from other book lovers…
I love it too! I love this book community and recommending books etc that is why I love doing this (:
i mean i agree internet has robbed us of goodness of simplicity but it does have its own plus side…i mean it has connected the world.. for example you and I two diff people living in different countries miles apart but we are connected because we both love books and movies and are on internet…to find people who are like you , to find a community of book lovers…i think internet is not all that bad an influence…
that’s the silver lining, right there. Even the monstrous digital world that is making us a lazy generation has the power to connect people and make them happy…truth is im just glad we have internet even if its less classy now with no pen and paper…my very close friends are now living in different countries and without internet calls i would be just a sad soul… π
I know I miss the time when i used to write letters to friends or use landline to call them at home, but i will also admit a video call to a friend & talking to her face to face at real time even from miles apart makes up for all the evils of internet… π
Britain & America are way too poles apart in terms of culture
Also what decade would you have loved to live in? (:
i think i too am in the wrong era..sure i love the comfort of netflix shows and instagram uploads…though i dont have any era but i would love be born back in 50s or 60s maybe..or maybe early 19th century of british era… these were tough times but people made it through didnt they…im actually obsessed with world war holocaust stories because among the horror were people both germans and jews who did extraordinary things to survive or to help…what’s your era…
As you said it was more tough but they survived and we would too!
hopefully we will have their level of strength too, if we ever find ourselves back in that era in that situation…have you seen the movie Life is Beautiful…
I haven’t no! What is it about? (: I
its a very beautiful movie about world war era when jews were being taken to camps…i call it beautiful its more about this man and his family..this man and his love and courage and ability to smile even when everything was going upside down… i think you’ll like the movie..
Aww that sounds so lovely!i love movies which are full of spirit and love despite bad things so I will have to watch this thanks!
I really like reading those stories too, I think it is important to know history and to learn about it, do you have any good books on the subject you could recommend?
on holocaust? a lot of them…boy in stripped pyajamas (movie is good too), Torn thread, Sarah’s key, code name verity, rose under fire, the storyteller…
I have read and watch the boy in the stripped pyjamas and it is so sad! I haven’t heard of these other ones but I am going to check them out now. Thank you!
I cried so much at the end of the Boy in stripped Pyjamas….Today I The Zookeeper’s Wife ..its based on a book..but its a real world war story about this polish woman and her husband…Hitler was real life voldemort but there were some brave people even back then and this couple was one of them good ones…
actually if im not wrong every reader thinks he or she is in wrong era…because a good book has this magic of making you fall in love with another era could be 50s or 60s or 70s or even future…dont you think…
yeah i think i get that… a day in nature under stars with one person who gets you is anyday better than netflix in a closed air conditioner room with a mobile phone buzzing every other second…
wow!
Don’t let that habit go…its such a rare thing to have in today’s busy world… π
i kind of love the language and tone they used…very class..unlike today’s Sup, Lol, BRB…sure maybe i too use them but that’s cause we are no longer the people who write with a pen and a paper we are digital people now…with the shorter words the better .
Rare species are people who charm with words and not superficial style… I think I would fall head over heels for any soul who would write me a letter instead of texting me …
Yes! a simple handwritten ‘I love you’ on a card with smiley is any day priceless and better than any gift…I dont think im ever getting in a relationship…i have too old school expectations ..hahahah
old school & old soul…very well put…
im 31 but i think im both old school & old soul..hahaha…
Hahah, that is the best way to be!
First time i fell in love was when i was 16 i think and now that i look back i think what i loved themost about that relationship was that we had no mobiles, so we would write notes to eachother on pen and paper, we would wish each other on birthdays with handmade greeting cards and we would often write letters when we fought…now I think today even the most romantic relationship is burdened by the presence of digital words and absence of pen & a paper…maybe im hopelessly old school..
Never stop being traditional, it is the best ad rare to come across these days so keep me being yourself!
Unfortunately i don’t even think i can change much…I’m a stubborn 30 some years old… too late to be anything but me… π
Haha good! Always be your true self (:
cute… π well my friend I hope you both end up with endless piles of letters from eachother, spending years and years writing them…
scrap books? okay now im in love with you both even more…i was once a scrap book person long time ago…it makes me so happy to hear scrap booking is still alive… π
Im so glad you are…we need kids to love these things more and more… i truly believe children should be given more access to reading, coloring, dance, sports and arts and hide & seek & scrap books and even getting all jumpy into muddy pools..than watchign tv & playing angry birds…
I’m so glad you think that way. Today alot of parents end up forcing their kids to become a doctor or engineer or lawyer adding pressure to them and also overlooking any interest or art the child wishes to pursue…
my best friend is software engineer…i rem i always used to get less marks and she was the A-grade kind..and i would look at her and say you are making me look bad.. and we would end up laughing…
Haha that is so funny!
that’s the right way..i mean im not a mom and i probably have no idea how to be one, but i do know kids need to know 3 things compassion, empathy and confidence..they can become whatever they want, doctor, actor, racer, painter, dancer, singer whatever…as long as they are happy and compassionate ..
true…there is much more to life..and its one life on a magical planet ..the only planet with people, mountains, greenery, rivers and natural wonders…why not let our younger generation live it with a heart and not with pressure of being someone they dont relate to..
hahaha…either we are too smart or too crazy because not everyone would agree with us…
Haha yes!!
I truly agree. It is sad how someone who is good in sports or music is often asked to give more attention to Math or Science because they pay more…
true..been there…school and college feels like ages ago…i had nightmares of Maths even after i dropped the subject and moved into different field…hahaha..
apart from my last two years of school every year was not worth remembering..partly cause i never had many friends and partly cause i hated studying, i was awful …but my last two years were fun…grades were decent, i had few friends, even fell in love and i was House captain…
beautiful but also heartbreaking… i fell in love with a friend and realised what a tragedy my life is going to be… but before we said goodbye and moved on…those two years were amazing….
actually its good to fall in love with the one instead of falling in and falling out and falling and falling out…the one….i believe in that concept…sure i might be unlucky in department oflove..but im hopelessly in love with the idea of love…
And my faith in finding it one day keeps me going… π
Aww keeping going I promise it will happen (:
wow! i feel old now.. 31…
Actually i was once scared of entering 30s…but i it think its all too hyped…30s is just 20s (i still dont feel like grownup) except it feels calmer and crazier all together…
Haha I love that description!
For me like i said, last two years of school and last two years of college…best time…ive spent alot of time in different schools..so i never had a permanent friend or school to lean on to…
I took time to find forever friends too…Back in my teens and early twenties, I had this urge to please people and not say no…i was like Monica from friends except i am very messy which Monica wasnt…
Considering im more of a me-time person now, i dont make new friends unless ofcourse happens ..
i guess i was never shy just awkward when it came to socializing…i still am but now i can handle it gracefully without making a fool of self…:P
i dont think im shy or introvert…i would love to travel and say hello to random strangers :)…im just in a strange phase of life…my parents need me and im trying my best to be there…
this is the difference bet grownups and kids…you say hi to a random stranger n you get strange looks..but have you ever tried waving or smiling at a kid on a car passing by…they smile or wave back π i love this so i do this alot…
I was once in hospital with my mother to get medicines for my dad..and i was sitting in this waitng area playing some car racing thing on my phone (told you im a kid 31 but a kid i fail to realise i need to grow up)…so this little comes and stands next to me trying to see what im playing… so i shifted a little let him sit and lowered my phone so he can see…it was like we played together…i always make sure i smile if a kid is looking …
I wanted to be an Astronaut, a detective, an actor , a journalist and finally a writer…today i have a decent job, good salary but i wish i had spent my youth travelling…it is very important to follow what makes you happy…
and i hope even when yearsss later i on a random day just ask you hows it going…youhave the same thing to say. youre happy and chill.. π
Wow! that must be tough. Happy is good. ..I wouldnt say im Happy kind all the time, but i love happy kinds …you are a very strong soul i must say…email would be easier than wordpress π where do i say hello then?
hahaha no rambling is good…I am rambler myself…i guess for that i have to blame the diaries i write while growing up…theses diaries they never stop you from rambling π
Haha yes that is so true!!
Wow! I can only imagine the cuteness overload around you.
Lol.
that’s what im talking about…the experience of exchanging letters or notes…its just too beautiful… π
So beautiful !!
have you seen The Women…the movie..i have not read the book…but the movie makes me so happy about old romance…less lusty and more sophisticated…
hahaha..no no..this is based on a book with same name…its story about 5 sisters with Josephine as the main character (atleast in the movie as played by Winona Ryder)…the era and the relationship and the story is just too classically exotic for me…Jo or Josephine is rebellious girl who writes and writes because she wants to be a writer…
Ooo… That sounds great! I will have to have a look at it thanks so much!
At first I just saw it because of my love for Winona, but I ended up in love with the story..
i think she is way too talented & pretty..her movies were something…but if i have to pick one actress whose movies i have seen endless times & often rewatch when im low..it has to be Meg Ryan…
i would love love to recommended her movies…for starters -Youve got mail, french kiss, addicted to love & courage under fire…if nothing else…these are some of her best …youve got mail is my most fav …infact eversince ive seen this (i think i have seen it more than hundred times), i have this dream of going to nyc & visiting cafe Lalo…one of my to-do on my bucket list…
Oh wow thank you for all the recommendations! I will go on IMDB now and add some to my watch list, thanks so much!
Im from India. Currently a very hot corner of the world.
Aww how amazing! I love India, I have been only once but I want to go again so badly!
Oh youve been here? hope it was a good trip..
Hot …totally…i cant take the heat and ive spent all my life here…
for me i have itch to go beyond this place..to another land…there is a whole outside and i havent seen it…strange but i feel like i belong somewhere else…or maybe its the summer messing up with me. π
I know, i do know its basic human psychology for feeling that we belong to somewhere else because the mind and heart yearns to get out of the pond…but with me it feels more than that…because i am just so different from people i know, kind of like a misfit and so the strong feeling of belonging to someplace else…
Aww bless this is really sweet and really poignant (:
i mean none of the people i know would ever say I wish I was born in bloomington of 19th century…hahaha
Hahah, I wish I was though!!
I wish too π
I would I think, I almost planned a trip to New York …But someday for sure… π
I will…i just blame movies for my undying crush over NYC
I cant pick one…but I think most of Meg Ryan movies have got my head wrapped around America…God knows how much I love NYC and i haven’t even been there…movies i blame movies hahahaha…
Haha yes I blame movies!!
I will i surely will…i think when i’ll catch that plane whole world would know..ill be screaming like a little girl who just got her first puppy… π
Haha this is so cute!!
wow..that sound so amazing…i hope you have the best 50s night ever…
I haven’t but sounds too interesting and now I wish to download it… π I must
I shall definitely check it out… π
Great (:
Its nice to meet you Aimee :)…you are going to love the Code Name Verity…i loved it…the audio is as amazing as the paperback…Have you seen The crown..its almost like reading a historical fiction…it tells the tale Queen Elizabeth…the dresses, the accent, the story and the era…i think you’ll love it..
I haven’t but now I need to that book sounds great! Thank you for the recommendations keep them coming (:
its hard to create a character so balanced…she is broken and vulnerable but just so smart at the same time..and a good person deep down…
Yes definitely! That is the perfect summary of Lisbeth. She is a real incredible character and although she is violent deep down you can tell she is a really great person!
the fourth book in the series is fine too but you can clearly see its not from the hand of original creator…its sort of evident…
I have heard about this fourth book! Does the fourth book follow Lisbeth too?
yes it definitely has Lisbeth, i think without Lisbeth the whole purpose of continuing Stieg Larsson’s series would fail… a fifth book is on its way too
Lisbeth really is amazing and if it didn’t have her then I would NEVER read it lol.