The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo- Stieg Larsson

Generally when i read a recommended book, i have this vague idea about its content; without penetrating through the mystery of course. I knew "the girl with a dragon tattoo" was a thrilling mystery novel set in Sweden with two sequels and is known for its gripping revelations. But i was totally naive about its misogynist content. So the ruthlessness to the female characters and our four legged friends caught me off guard, leaving me wide eyed; wordless.


Had a little trouble getting the grip of the content in the beginning with me questioning repeatedly "what the hell are they talking about?" But as soon as the story focuses to the Vangers in Hedestad, it was apparent i couldn't put it down without thinking what was going to happen next. Sadly the disappointment soon followed with its gross twist of fate.

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Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist, is sentenced for libel of an industrialist Hans-Erik Wennerstroem. In the mean time Henrik Vanger, a former industrial giant hires Blomkvist to unravel the mysterious disappearance of Harriet Vanger decades ago by promising him evidence against Wennerström . Lisbeth Salander, an outlandish hacker comes into picture. Both Blomkvist and Salander work in synchrony with the help of digits written in Harriet's diary and hunt of old photographs to solve the mystery but instead extricate some disturbing facts.


The girl with a dragon tattoo is a creation with complex, imperfect characters; in war with themselves and others; with a story woven delicately where mystery unwinds in an unexpected way; making you raise your eyebrows every now and then till the very end. I was also fascinated by the so unlikely protagonist Lisbeth Salander. She is everything you don't expect your hero to be yet her wit leaves you amazed. Her reclusiveness attracts you to find out more about her (one of the reason i turned the pages of this book).

But again too many things happening (though not related or interwined stories), too descriptive (he ate TWO sandwiches with the described toppings.. seriously!!! and who wants to know what's written on the T-shirt every time -- it added nothing to the plot and at times get annoying). The computer and financial descriptions were balderdash for me and went over my head (It forms the basis of the story but turns out i am not good with these stuffs). And is it only me or anyone else wondered about such dysfunctional family- its painful.

Not a bad read cause the detective thing, the chase, the run; everything about solving the mystery is complex, beautiful; keeping you on your toes. The pages move swiftly but i wish i knew the original Swedish name of the novel is "Men who hates women". I would have thought twice before turning the pages.

Of course i am not gonna leave the triology incomplete but i need to read something different before continuing Stieg Larsson's creations. I still believe the original Swedish version is amazing.. something got lost in translation. Happy reading!!!