Everyone’s talking about this book. It’s all over the bookstores in three different bindings and at least two languages. It's never available in the library. People I barely even know tell me how great the book is. I am skeptical of overly hyped novels because they usually disappoint me for some reason or another, but I had to give this one a try so I could feel like a part of the human race. So I picked it up at Target (hooray for $5.00 paperbacks) and started reading. I’m very glad I did.
There were a lot of things I liked about this book. The first, and most important, is the fact that I didn’t want to put it down. I skipped meals and social opportunities to read it. Every chapter ending pulled me into the next one. It’s a good thing I’m a fast reader, otherwise I would have starved.
Although I liked the character of Mikael Blomqvist, it was Lisbeth Salander who really stood out to me. She is so brilliant, both in her work and in everyday life, but she is a victim of socially-imposed circumstances beyond her control. That only makes her stronger, though, and it made me love her. She’s the one I’d want in my corner.
There is a major plot point whose outcome I predicted early on (I don’t want to spoil it so I’m not going to say what it is). I kept hoping that I was wrong, because it seemed too obvious. I expected a twist so shocking that I never would have seen it coming. Although I didn’t get the surprise I wanted, there were unexpected (and rather gruesome) details that made the conclusion rewarding.
It seems that, although this book has already been made into a movie (which I haven’t seen yet), an American Hollywood version is currently in production. Hmm. I wonder what the difference will be? I might have to hit up Redbox soon to see if they’ve got the original in stock.
Book number two in the series, The Girl Who Played With Fire, is definitely on my reading list, but not immediately. Maybe in a few months I will read it, after I get through the pile of books that are on my desk right now. I assure you, I’ll tell you all about it! For now, stay tuned for other good (I hope) books.
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